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A Sikh at 6th Annual
South-Eastern European Prayer Gathering
WSN Network
 A
group of 150 dignitaries and friends from 18 countries came together
from May 22-24 in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina for
the 6th Annual South East European Prayer Gathering.
Simran Singh, a
native of Hamburg, Germany and currently residing in Washington, was
the first Sikh representative to attend, and joined thsoe from the
Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim 6th Annual South-Eastern
European Prayer Gathering to pray for tolerance and peace in the
Balkans.
"While there is
no strong Sikh presence in the area, given the Sikhs' history, it
seemed like an important place to contribute in prayer," he said.
The event
mirrored the US National Prayer Breakfast, which has taken place in
Washington, DC for over 50 years. In South Eastern Europe, it is
organized by senior regional leaders and the
US
Congressmen and Senators who sponsor the
US
gathering. Turnout was impressive, with government representatives
from the Balkans, Europe, Russia, and North America joining together
to reflect and pray.
Interdenominational Values
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Sikhs too should be doing more to reach out in other
communities, pray with others, and work towards the unity and
peace that our Gurus, like the Masters and Prophets of many
faiths, set out to achieve. |
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"Our discussions
emphasized acceptance, love, forgiveness, humanity, and prayer.
These values were interdenominationally referred to as the
Principles of Jesus. Listening to representatives of different
faiths describe what these standards mean to them, I realized that
they mirror what Sikhs understand to be the teachings of Guru Ram
Das. The principles became the group's common denominator, and we
spent three meaningful days together, parting as friends," Simran
Singh said.
 He
advocated that Sikhs too should be doing more to reach out in other
communities, pray with others, and work towards the unity and peace
that our Gurus, like the Masters and Prophets of many faiths, set
out to achieve.
Resembling a
human heart, the Hari Mandir Sahib has four doors to signify an
invitation for people from all walks of like to come together and
pray. The Sikhs have also, throughout their history, experienced
religious combat and discrimination, but have always valued those
who see no boundaries between people.
15
July 2009
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