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Rajan Zed Highlights Interfaith Harmony at St. Petersburg Council

An event highlighting the importance of interfaith dialogue and cultural diversity.

News Summary

Rajan Zed, a prominent Hindu leader, will deliver an invocation at the St. Petersburg City Council, focusing on interfaith collaboration. His recitation of ancient Sanskrit texts aims to promote cultural diversity and highlight the importance of unity in the community. This significant event will include verses from the Rig-Veda, Upanishads, and other key Hindu scriptures, emphasizing the need for understanding and support among council members to prioritize the welfare of constituents.

St. Petersburg – Rajan Zed, a notable Hindu leader and President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, is set to deliver an invocation at the St. Petersburg City Council, showcasing interfaith collaboration and cultural diversity. His recitation will include verses from ancient Sanskrit texts, a practice that emphasizes the importance of interfaith harmony and understanding within the community.

The invocation will commence with a recitation from the Rig-Veda, among the oldest scriptures in current use within Hinduism, and will include passages from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita. Zed’s recitation will open and close with the sound “Om,” a sacred syllable that holds a significant place in Hindu tradition. Following the Sanskrit verses, Zed will provide English interpretations to ensure accessibility to all council members and attendees.

One of the pivotal excerpts from Zed’s recitation will be from the Brahadaranyakopanishad, containing a powerful phrase: “Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya.” This translates to “Lead us from the unreal to the real, Lead us from darkness to light, and Lead us from death to immortality.” The invocation aims to motivate the city council to prioritize the welfare of their constituents during deliberations.

Rajan Zed is recognized as a global interfaith leader and has been honored with the World Interfaith Leader Award. He actively participates in various interfaith initiatives, serving on the Advisory Board of The Interfaith Peace Project, and as a Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy. Furthermore, he has contributed to discussions on faith as a panelist for “On Faith,” an interactive dialogue on religion hosted by The Washington Post, and leads a weekly interfaith panel titled “Faith Forum” in a Gannett publication, a position he has maintained for over 14 years.

Hinduism, revered as the world’s oldest and third-largest religion, consists of approximately 1.2 billion adherents worldwide. In the United States, estimates suggest there are about 3.2 million Hindus. The core aim of Hinduism is achieving moksh, or liberation, which represents the ultimate spiritual goal within the faith.

This invocation at St. Petersburg City Council takes place against a broader backdrop of religious and cultural events. Recently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed authorities to expedite the registration of a marriage for an Israeli national who converted to Hinduism. The marriage was solemnized in a Hindu ceremony on May 10, 2025, and while the registration was pending due to police verification requirements, the court mandated that the marriage registrar complete the process without undue delays, signaling judicial support for legal recognition of such ceremonies within India’s framework.

In another incident highlighting challenges faced by Hindus globally, social organizations and Hindu groups in Shimla held a public rally protesting against perceived attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh. Organizers noted ongoing issues such as religious violence and the destruction of temples in the region. They demanded accountability from notable figures allegedly responsible for this turmoil, particularly calling for legal actions against individuals perceived to incite such violence.

As Rajan Zed prepares for his invocation at the St. Petersburg City Council, the event symbolizes a commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding across diverse communities, linking contemporary issues with ancient traditions.