Martin Luther King Memorial Silver Jubilee Service opened with Gayatri Mantra in Nevada
January 17th, 2011 - 3:41 pm ICT by ANINevada (US), Jan 17 (ANI): The 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Interfaith Community Memorial Service in Nevada opened with Gayatri Mantra, most sacred mantra in Hinduism, on January 16.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, besides Gayatri Mantra, also read from Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), Upanishads and Rig-Veda (oldest existing scripture of mankind) during his invocation on the occasion. Reciting from Brahadaranyakopanishad, he said: Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrityor mamrtam gamaya; which he then translated as: Lead me from the unreal to the real, Lead me from darkness to light, Lead me from death to immortality.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King shared a common vision on peaceful resistance and held the belief that truth and love always won. Reading from Bhagavad-Gita, Zed urged the gathered to “act selflessly”.
Held at First United Methodist Church of Reno (FUMCR) with the theme “Remembering the dream, Fulfilling the mandate”, this Service also included musical selections “People Get Ready” (performed by The Power of Love and directed by Leon W. Smith) and another by Reno Second Baptist Church (RSBC) Choir (directed by Dr. Jesse Hall); congregational hymns “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome”; and video tribute to King (presented by Reverend William Lyons of RSBC).
Reverend John Emerson, FUMCR Pastor Emeritus, delivered the keynote address; while Reverend Judith Bither, FUMCR Pastor; Reverend Michael Randle, RSBC Pastor; Right Reverend Gene Savoy Junior, International Community of Christ Bishop; Susan Lisagor from Senator Harry Reid’s office; Paula McDonough, citizen activist; and Rita Weisshaar of Retiree’s Club; also spoke on the occasion. Reverend Jon Vincent Shelton, Sparks Freedom Baptist Church Pastor, gave the benediction.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval’s proclamation and message from US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were also read on the occasion. Service was jointly organized by Northern Nevada Martin Luther King Junior Holiday Committee and Nevada Clergy Association. (ANI)
- Nevada Senate in USA opens with Gayatri Mantra - Feb 16, 2011
- Nevada Assembly in USA opened with Hindu prayer - Apr 26, 2011
- Gayatri Mantra read at Baha'i Ridvan Festival in Nevada - May 03, 2011
- Nevada Faith-Based Initiatives Summit opened & closed with ancient Sanskrit prayers - Sep 22, 2010
- Gayatri Mantra opens fundraiser for choreographer's hip surgery in Nevada - Oct 25, 2010
- American university holds unique one-of-a-kind-in-the-world Hindu Baccalaureate Service - Apr 19, 2011
- Catholic nuns & Hindu statesman Zed pray together in USA for "peace and love" - Feb 14, 2011
- Buddhists welcome Hindu statesman Zed to Bodhi Day commemoration in Nevada - Dec 06, 2010
- Global entertainment capital Clark County opened its meet with first Hindu mantras - Jul 09, 2010
- Gayatri Mantra opened University of Nevada 'Inner-Faith Night' celebrations - Feb 25, 2011
- American university holds one-of-a-kind Hindu baccalaureate - Apr 14, 2010
- Nevada observes 25th Thanksgiving with Christian-Muslim-Hindu-Buddhist-Jewish-Baha'i prayers - Nov 26, 2010
- Sanskrit mantras to open Vacaville City Council in California - Jun 29, 2010
- Boulder City Council, birthtown of Playboy playmate Deanna Brooks, to open with Sanskrit mantras - May 31, 2010
- Hindu prayer to open 100th anniversary of Scouting event in Nevada - Oct 15, 2010
Tags: asato ma sad gamaya, dr martin luther, first united methodist, first united methodist church, freedom baptist church, gene savoy, hindu statesman, mahatma gandhi, michael randle, pastor emeritus, rajan zed, reverend john, reverend michael, reverend william, rig veda, sacred mantra, senator harry reid, united methodist church, vincent shelton, william lyons