“Face2News”, a tri-lingual (English, Hindi and Punjabi) Internet newspaper from Chandigarh (India), has selected religious statesman Rajan Zed as “Global Person of the Year” for 2013.
“Face2News”, which aims at “stimulating the public discourse in right direction”, says that its team headed by Chief Editor Dharam Loona and Editor Roshan Lal Goyal and experts from various fields, picked USA based Zed out of a lengthy list of wonderful achievers after a long and passionate discussion. It was a difficult task, it adds.
Rajan Zed has been selected as “Global Person of the Year” for his efforts at building bridges among various religious communities of the world and helping the helpless, Face2News notes.
Face2News has listed Zed’s achievements as follows:
During 2013, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, took up issues in various parts of Europe raising voice against apartheid conditions faced by about 15-million Roma (Gypsies); including Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Norway and Ireland; his being the only prominent religious voice on this issue.
Rajan Zed engaged in dialogue with Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Baha’i, Jain and Zoroastrian leaders. He took up Hindu issues in Australia, Cook Islands, USA and other parts of the world. He led Faith Forum, an interfaith dialogue on religion at a Gannett publication, now in its third year.
Zed opened few dozen California City Councils with Hindu invocation, many of those for the first time. He was warmly welcomed by Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Hindu, Jain, Zoroastrian and Mormon leaders during his September Southern California visit.
Rajan Zed raised the issue of racism and discrimination in football with FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association); helped organize multi-faith blessing of new Jewish synagogue; joined Muslims in Eid celebrations; addressed a Pentecostal convocation; had intimate dialogue with His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, head of worldwide Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and youngest Roman Catholic Cardinal; organized one-of-its-kind-in-the-world Hindu Baccalaureate Service at University of Nevada-Reno for the sixth continuous year; etc.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval recognized Zed on his “remarkable achievements”. City of Santee near San Diego in California became ninth city to declare October 25 as “Rajan Zed Day”. Center for Spiritual Living Reno honored him for interfaith work.
He was also honored by Green Business Chamber in Nevada, Northern Nevada Muslim Community, Reno Police Chief, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Reno Buddhist Center. He received recognition from Nevada Lieutenant Governor Brian K. Krolicki and United States Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller; besides commendation by City of Sparks for his commitment to interfaith community.
Northern Nevada clergy belonging to various religions and denominations organized a reception in Rajan Zed’s honor.
