Washington, September 30: A unique initiative has been taken in the US Parliament. The proceedings of the Parliament session began with a prayer by a Sikh Granthi ( a person, who is a ceremonial reader of the Guru Granth Sahib- a Holy book in Sikhism) instead of a Christian priest.
The first day of each session in the U.S. House of Representatives is usually preceded by a prayer by a Christian pastor. This time America took a historic step.
The proceedings of the US Parliament session started in a different way this time.
Giani Jaswinder Singh, the granthi of Pine Hill Gurdwara, New Jersey, started the proceedings of the House by offering prayers. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that Jaswinder Singh would begin the proceedings.
Jaswinder Singh is the first Sikh priest to offer prayers in the US House of Representatives. Entering the House immediately after the prayer, MP Donald Norcross described it as a historic occasion.
He said that today is a reminder that America welcomes the free expression of religion and will remain committed to its values.
Harjinder Singh, media spokesperson of Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, said that today for the first time in the history of the US Parliament, the session of the House started with Sikh prayer. This is an occasion of great joy for the entire global Sikh community.
