DIASPORA: UTAH

RAJAN ZED DAY

Just before the Taylorsville invocation, from left to right are—Taylorsville Council member Dama Barbour, Councilmember Bud Catlin, Council Chairman Jerry W. Rechtenbach, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, Council member Larry Johnson, Council member Morris K. Pratt, and Mayor Russ Wall

Taylorsville, Utah’s Centennial City in the USA, has proclaimed October 25, 2011, as “Rajan Zed Day”, recognizing Hindu statesman Zed’s work in interfaith dialogue, Hinduism, European Roma (Gypsies), etc. The Proclamation, signed by Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall, says: “Mayor of the City of Taylorsville, on behalf of the 60,000 citizens of Taylorsville, Utah; proclaim our gratitude and commendation for Zed’s leadership roles in attempting to help the helpless by declaring October 25, 2011 as Rajan Zed Day.” 

It mentions: “…efforts of Rajan Zed have brought various religious communities together throughout world so that they can live in peace and mutual trust to enrich themselves through dialogue”, “…Rajan Zed’s work to reach nearly 15-million Roma (Gypsies) people of Europe by speaking out against their maltreatment, issues and concerns has influenced other religious leaders to do the same.” 

Hartford, the capital city of Connecticut (USA), has already proclaimed October 25, 2011, as “Rajan Zed Day” in the recent past in recognition of Zed’s works in various areas. 

Rajan Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, read the reported first Hindu invocation of Taylorsville City Council on July six last from ancient Hindu scriptures—Rig-Veda, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita—in Sanskrit followed by its English translation. 

Zed is a religious statesman who has taken up interfaith, Hinduism, religion, environment, Roma and other causes all over the world. He has read opening prayers in US Senate, various state senates and houses of representatives, counties and city councils all over the country. He was invited by President of European Parliament in Brussels for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. He is panelist for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. He is bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award” and is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families.

September 2011


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