Muslims welcome Hindu statesman Zed to Id al-Adha celebrations in Nevada
General
Author : Rajan Zed
|
|
In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Muslims welcomed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed to their Id al-Adha celebrations in Sparks (Nevada, USA) on November 20.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that peace and love lied at the heart of all religions and people had more in common than in conflict. Let us learn from one another and live together in harmony, mutual trust and loyalty; as we were headed in the same direction.
Muslims of northern Nevada celebrated Id al-Adha, the biggest of Islamic festivals, as a community in Northern Nevada Muslim Community (NNMC) Center in Sparks on November 20, although the actual date fell on November 16.
Americans of Bangladeshi, Syrian, Somalian, Pakistani, Ethiopian, Jordanian, India, Moroccan, Egyptian, Palestinian, etc., origins came in their ethnic best dresses to a sumptuous dinner which included various lamb and chicken dishes, biryani and various other rice formations, vegetables and lentils, sweet vermicelli, kheer, puddings, etc., to name a few.
Prayers from Quran (the scripture of Islam) were read before the dinner. NNMC President Mahmoud Hendi read "State of the Community" address and announced that area Muslim community would provide free food on Thanksgiving Day to homeless. A magic show was also organized on the occasion.
According to Imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi, there are about 2,000 Muslim families in northern Nevada of about two dozen national origins, with Bangladesh having the highest numbers as compared to other countries. NNMC was launched in 1980.
Id al-Adha, also known as Greater Bayram, is celebrated at the end of Mecca pilgrimage. To commemorate the ram substituted by God when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Ishmael, his son, to test his faith, unblemished animals are sacrificed on this occasion. It also includes visiting/receiving extended families.
Islam is the second most widespread religion in the world after Christianity with more than one billion followers and Muslims constitute majority in about 48 countries and a considerable minority in many others. It is the third largest religion in USA. Word "Islam" means "submission/peace". Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
| About Author |
|
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.
|
Disclaimer: Please use this channel at your own discretion. These articles are contributed by our users. We are not responsible or liable for any problems related to the utilization of information of these articles.
View All Contributions
|
