Distinguished religious statesman Rajan Zed was presented with “Chief’s Commendation Award” by Reno Police Department in a recognition ceremony held at Reno Police Headquarters on August 29.
Zed was conferred with this special award for “his contributions in the diverse faith communities of Northern Nevada and putting the City of Reno on the world map with his peacebuilding efforts”.
While Reno Police Deputy Chief Zachary Thew presented Rajan Zed with the Award plaque and garlanded him; Reno Police Chief Jason Soto, in a virtual message, thanked Zed for “all of the work you have done for the community”, and added that “we are super proud of you”. Another Certificate of Appreciation, signed by Soto, was also presented to him on the occasion, which stated: In appreciation and recognition for your dedication to the community of Reno. Your commitment to empowering and supporting this community has greatly contributed to the Reno Police Department’s efforts to provide a safe community for the citizens of the City of Reno.
Most Reverend Daniel Henry Mueggenborg, Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno, presented Zed during this ceremony with a testimonial titled “Statement of Gratitude” which stated:…thank you for your many involvements in inter-faith work on the local, state, national, and international levels. You have championed the rights of the underprivileged, fostered respectful and fraternal dialogue among people from different backgrounds.
Reverend Father Stephen R. Karcher, Presiding Priest of Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, honored Rajan Zed with “Interfaith Peace & Leadership Award” for: his commitment and initiatives contributing to nurturing interfaith understanding and peace among communities both locally and globally, for his advancement of public interfaith dialogue through his courageous and tireless activities, for his exemplary and on-going efforts to create interfaith harmony, for promoting oneness of humanity, etc.
Bishop Luther James DuPree Junior of Rehoboth Holy Temple Church of God in Christ presented a testimonial to Zed, describing him as “Global Religious Statesman”, and listing his various activities related to religion and interfaith work.
Reverend Dawn M. Blundell, President of Fallon Community Interfaith Group and a Senior Pastor at Epworth United Methodist Church in Fallon, presented Rajan Zed with Certificate of Appreciation “for leadership and commitment to interfaith work in rural Nevada communities”.
Nevada Metherd of Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Reno presented an appreciation testimonial calling Zed “Ambassador to All Faiths in the World & Especially in Northern Nevada”.
Jewish rabbi Benjamin Katz, speaking about Rajan Zed on behalf of Jewish Nevada, stated: When our world is shaken you are always the first to organize a prayer vigil, bringing us together so that each faith-based organization is represented and has equal time and space.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam also spoke on the occasion about Zed and his work.
The Rajan Zed award ceremony started with world-famous professional renaissance musician Oscar Dallas Smith playing Raga Shivaranjani on bansuri (Indian bamboo flute). Attendees included Nevada Episcopal Bishop Elizabeth Bonforte Gardner, Washoe County School District President Dr. Angela D. Taylor, area leader of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Patricia Y. Gallimore, former Nevada Controller Ron Knecht, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Pastor Debra Whitlock Lax, Sparks United Methodist Church Lead Pastor Lee Neish, Secretary of Northern Nevada Muslim Community Md Rahman, American Indian Spirituality Scholar Brian E. Melendez, Atheist thinker Anthony Shafton, Micheal L. Peterson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bishan Singh Parmar of Sikh community, Catholic Diocese Ethnic Ministries Director Maripaz Ramos, Christian Science Chaplain Steep Weiss, Soul Collage Facilitator Pamela Pech, International Society for Krishna Consciousness leader April Hammond-Lennon, Unitarian Universalist Pat Purkey-Entwistle, prominent business leader Dee Dee Desiderio-Schula, Unification Church leader June Canak, Catholic Diocese Life Peace & Justice Commission Coordinator Rita C. Sloan, etc. Interfaith youth leader Sarah F. Krum was emcee.
Global religious statesman Zed has taken-up interfaith, religion, European Roma (Gypsies), and other causes all over the world. He has read opening prayers in the United States Senate and US House-of-Representatives in Washington DC; various State Senates, State Houses-of-Representatives, County Commissions, City Councils all-over USA; covering 292 legislative bodies in 43 states. He was invited by the President of the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) for a one-on-one meeting to promote interfaith dialogue.
Rajan Zed, who had been bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award”; is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, on Advisory Board of Interfaith Peace Project, Interfaith Relations Officer of Nevada Interfaith Association.
Zed had been panelist for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post; and has been producing weekly interfaith panel “Faith Forum” in Reno Gazette-Journal, which brings various religions/denominations together, for over 11 years. He had been invited and participated in the World Economic Forum and had dialogue with leaders of diverse religions and non-believers worldwide.
