In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed recited prayer from ancient Hindu scriptures at the "12th day of Ridvan" festival of Baha'is in Reno (Nevada, USA) on May two evening.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, read Gayatri Mantra, the most sacred mantra of Hinduism, in Sanskrit and attendees repeated after him. He later translated Gayatri Mantra and other Sanskrit prayers into English.
Rajan Zed read from Rig-Veda, oldest existing scripture of mankind; Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita, both ancient Hindu scriptures. Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, Zed suggested: "Strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless one attains the supreme goal of life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind".
Peter Rath and Nevada Metherd, area Baha'i elders, thanked Zed for participating in the "12th day of Ridvan" festivities.
Few days back, Rajan Zed sent greetings to Baha'i communities world over on Ridvan (which means paradise) festival, wishing that it brought joy, happiness, blessings and cheer to all. Zed stresses that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue will bring us mutual enrichment, he adds.
Twelve-day festival of Ridvan is also known as "the most great festival", whose first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and 12th days are especially celebrated as holy days by Baha'is. These three days are marked by communal prayers and celebrations and no-work/no-school days. Baha'i administrative year begins on the first day of Ridvan.
Said to be youngest of the world's independent monotheistic religions, Baha'i Faith, founded in Iran in 1844, has over five million followers. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
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Rajan Zed is a religious statesman who has taken up Hindu, interfaith, religion, Roma and other causes all over the world.
He was invited by President of European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering, in December 2008 in Brussels (Belgium) for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. He has read opening prayers in United States Senate in Washington DC, various state senates and assemblies/houses-of- representatives, city councils, etc., across the country.
Zed is one of the panelists for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. He has been bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award”, “Nevada Religious Unity Award”, “Positive Pluralism & Unity Prize”, & other awards for interfaith dialogue.
He is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, 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 & Interfaith Families, etc.
Rajan Zed is on the Governing Board of Directors of Northern Nevada International Center, on the Board of Directors of Nevada World Trade Council, member Citizens Advisory Committee of Regional Transportation Commission, member Reno Police Chief Advisory Board, etc.
He possesses Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Nevada-Reno and Master of Science in Mass Communications from San Jose State University, California.
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