Sikh creates history, offers prayers at US Republican Convention

 

Tampa (Florida): A Sikh priest has scripted history by offering invocation at the Republican National Convention, where he was invited by the party as part of its “healing touch” effort towards the community shocked by the Wisconsin gurdwara massacre.

Ishwar Singh, the head priest of the Sikh Society of Central Florida, offered invocation and brief opening remarks at the start of the convention’s second days’ proceedings here yesterday, immediately after America’s national anthem. “It was a great day for me and the Sikh community,” Singh told PTI after creating history.

This is the first time in the history of Republican national conventions that a Sikh went to the stage to offer invocation.

“It is a great honour for me to be here today as a Sikh and as an American. I am proud that my country cherishes the values of freedom, equality and dignity,” Singh, sporting a white pagri, said in his remarks in front of thousands of Republicans who had gathered from all across the country to nominate Mitt Romney as their presidential candidate.

Singh was invited for the invocation by the Republican party as part of its “healing touch” effort towards the Sikh community which was shocked and shattered by the killing of six worshippers in a gurdwara in Wisconsin on 5 August.

with thanks : Firstpost : LINK : for detailed news.