‘Leadership breakfast’ opens with Sikh prayer

Rajinder Singh Mago rendering Sikh prayer
Rajinder Singh Mago rendering Sikh prayer

CHICAGO: The annual Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Chicago Sunday Evening Club held at the Grand Ball Room of Chicago Hilton on Michigan Avenue on December 4 opened with a Sikh prayer of Thanksgiving.

This was the first time in its 51 years of history that the event included a Sikh prayer. The ninety minutes long breakfast event was attended by Governor State of Illinois Bruce Rauner, First lady Diana Rauner, President Cook County Board Toni Preckwinkle and more than 600 Chicago leaders from business corporations, religious, interfaith, civic, and non-profit service organizations.

The Sikh prayer was for Thanksgiving, Peace, and Harmony. Rajinder Singh Mago, a front ranking community activist, prayed to the One Universal God for the well being of all humanity. The Master of Ceremonies at the Prayer Breakfast was David Casper, President and CEO of BMO Harris Bank.

Chicago business and civic leaders established an annual Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast in 1964 for the purpose of gathering as an interfaith community to pray for the city, the nation, and the world. The Chicago Evening Club has the principal responsibility for organizing the Prayer Breakfast.

The mission of the Club is to tell stories that inspire people to put their faith into action to make Chicago better. The Club creates innovative, faith-focused programming for public television, public radio, public events, and new media.

The Club works upcoming project is a full-length documentary for WTTW, “The Journey: Responding with Faith.”

Surendra Ullal