INDIANAPOLIS (BALBIR SINGH)

Leaders of all major religions of the world shared a common stage to loudly and clearly sent a powerful message to learn, understand and respect the other religions for religiously and peaceful living together. The religious leaders from different faiths prayed in their own language and explained about their religion/community during the Festival of Faiths, organized by Center for Inter-faith Cooperation at Veterans Memorial Plaza and Indiana War Memorial, Downtown here.

Sikh Political Action Committee founder president Gurinder Singh Khalsa with Festival chairperson Muzaffar Ahmad.

As many as over 40 religious and community leaders are on the CIC’s diverse and active board. 'Compassion Through Action' was chosen the theme this year. Muzaffar Ahmad is the chairperson for the Festival. This edition of the Festival of Faiths featured three dozen groups and congregations whose religious convictions inspire them to serve the community, locally and globally.

Despite inclement weather a large number of men, women, children virtually from all faiths --- Christans, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jains, Buddhists, Jewis, Quaker. Baha’i and others, turned up and participated in the Festival of Faiths.

 

"We Are Sikhs" again drew the attentions of the participants. Colored turbans (pagri/ headgear) won a number of hearts. Volunteers of Sikh communities were seen busy tying turbans to men, women, children of all communities who visited their booths. Turbans clothes were also given free of cost. It is estimated that more than 300 turbans were tyed. Those who got turbans tyed looked cheerful and enthusiastic. Some of them also posed for photos, with folded hands, in front of the Golden Temple poster.

Man of 'Lines of Distinctions' community leader, artist, writer Kanwal Prakash Singh, CIC Board member Maninder Singh Walia, Jagdish Singh, Baljit Singh Oberio, Gurpreet Singh, Sikh Political Action Committee founder president Gurinder Singh Khalsa were the promiment s Sikh community leaders present on the occasion.

Chairperson of Festival Muzaffar Ahmed, CIC Board chair Jane Gehlhausen, Anita Jain, Diego Morales, CIC Executive Officer Charlie Wiles and Michael Mikal Saahir were among the prominent personalities who graced the occasion.
More than 100 following booths were set up for the benefit of the visitors from all communities.

Booth No. 11 Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, 40 Al Salam Foundation, 65 All Souls Unitarian Church, 34 Ball State University Center for Peace & Conflict Studies, 33 Brahma Kumaris – 7 Billion Acts of Goodness, 14 CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Info - Center for Interfaith Cooperation, 64 Christian Feminism Today, 63 Christian Theological Seminary, 58-59 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 28 Compassionate Indy, 63 Dagom Geden Kunkyob Ling, 41 Darfur Women Network, 42 Earlham School of Religion/Bethany Theological Seminary, 62 Eckankar, The Path of Spiritual Freedom, 61 Fairfield Friends Meeting, 43 First Congregational United Church of Christ, 44 Franklin College Office of Religious Life, 24 Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, 31 Healing Friends Foundation, 30 Helpings of Hope, 1-2 Hindu Temple of Central Indiana, 12 Hoosier Heartland Shambhala Meditation Group, 26 Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light, 10 Indiana Council on World Affairs, Inc., 19 Indiana Donor Network, 50 Indiana Pagan Community, 18 Indiana Sisters Making a Difference, 37 Indianapolis Buddhist Meditation Retreats, 36 Indianapolis First Friends Quaker Meeting, 9 Indianapolis Muslim Community Association, 49 Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, 29 Unity through the Arts: Dignified Dance, 20 Islamic Society of Indiana, 57 Islamic Society of North America, 21 Jain Center of Central Indiana, 5-8 Jewish Community of Greater of Indianapolis, 56 Marian University, 55 Masjid al-Mumineen, 66 Muslim Alliance of Indiana, 25 Nationalities Council of Indiana, 3 Niagara Foundation, 48 Nur Allah Islamic Center, 23 OBAT Helpers, 35 Providence Cristo Rey High School, 22 Roberts Park United Methodist Church, 45-46 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 15 Scaly Tailz, 53-54 Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis, 51-52 SikhsPAC, 47 Soka Gakkai International USA, 32 Spirit & Place, 4 St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Spiritual Life Center, 67 St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community/Roman Catholic Womenpriests, 13 The Church Within, 17 The Dwelling Place, 60 Vanna’s Place Jewelry, 16 Wisdom of the Vedas.