Press Release
Firday, 16 September 2005
2nd Assu (Samvat 537, Nanakshahi)
UNITED SIKHS Leads Sikh Delegation at Prayer for Opening of 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Religious leaders at the conference.
New York, NY - UNITED SIKHS led the Sikh delegation during the Interfaith Prayer Service at the St. Bartholomew Church at Park Avenue, New York, to mark the opening of United Nations General Assembly's 60th Session on Tuesday.
Jagtar Singh Jachak from New York led the UNITED SIKHS delegation and read the following Shabad (hymn) from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh holy scriptures):
salok mehlaa 5.
Shalok, Fifth Mehl:sabhay jee-a samaal apnee mihar kar.
In Your Mercy, You care for all beings and creatures.ann paanee much upaa-ay dukh daalad bhann tar.
You produce corn and water in abundance; You eliminate pain and poverty, and carry all beings across.ardaas sunee daataar ho-ee sisat thar.
The Great Giver listened to my prayer, and the world has been cooled and comforted.layvhu kanth lagaa-ay apdaa sabh har.
Take me into Your Embrace, and take away all my pain.naanak naam Dhi-aa-ay parabh kaa safal ghar. ||1||
Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord; the House of God is fruitful and prosperous. ||1||—(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Raag Saarang, 125)
In a speech read out for him, the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan said, "The 2005 World Summit is an opportunity to address some of the most pressing challenges of our era. It will be a test of our ability to act on the understanding that development, security and human rights are not only ends in themselves -- they reinforce each other; they depend on each other; that, in our interconnected world, the human family cannot enjoy security without development, cannot enjoy development without security, and can enjoy neither without respect for human rights; and that, to promote progress in all three, we also need to strengthen the United Nations -- the indispensable common house of the human family". The full text of his speech is available at www.unitedsikhs.org/multifaith/un/2005/kofi_annan_speech.htm
UNITED SIKHS Multifaith Director, Jessiee Kaur Singh said, "The prospects for humanity would be considerably brighter if, looking to the lessons of history for guidance, we were to set out consciously and deliberately to build a world community based on democratic principles, on the rights and responsibilities of its citizens, and on the exercise of their individual sovereignty."
Matt Weiner, Director of Programming for The Interfaith Center of New York, said, " Our mission is to make New York and the world safe for religious differences by increasing respect, mutual understanding and fellowship among citizens of diverse religious faiths, and by fostering cooperation among religious communities and civic organizations to solve common social problems."
Image Gallery is available at www.unitedsikhs.org/multifaith/un/2005/
Issued By:
Talwinder Singh
UNITED SIKHS
Tel: 1-646 338 5996 (Toll-free: 1-888-243-1690)
contact@unitedsikhs.org
Our Mission
To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.
UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.
UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.
Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.
We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.