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| Pilgrimage for Interfaith Understanding pictures provided Photos by KP Singh and Harpreet Sandhu. |
Kanwal Prakash
Singh
INDIANAPOLIS,OCT 29
There was an excitement in the air and in our hearts. We sensed an idea with myriad blessings.
VISION AND SPIRIT OF INTERFAITH
PILGRIMAGE
An interfaith pilgrimage was a
special idea and a historic first to learn about faiths, cultures, and
communities that today form the composite and colorful fabric and spirit of the
Hoosier State. Such efforts could in
time lead to overcoming barriers that some time separate us and help dispel
unfounded stereotypes, issues of mistaken identity, harassment, discrimination,
and build a foundation of unity and understanding among people.
This spiritually inspired idea of
Interfaith Walks is the vision of Dr. Ian McIntosh, Professor of Religion and
Director of International Partnerships at Indiana University-Purdue University-at-Indianapolis
(IUPUI). Charlie Wiles, Executive
Director of The Center for Interfaith Cooperation, and KP Singh from the Sikh
Satsang of Indianapolis served on the Organizing Committee.
“The walk is meant to be the
first of many designed to bring neighborhood congregations together in
fellowship and provide a very visible opportunity to build community in our
City” according to Charlie Wiles. KP
Singh echoes this passion and mandate, “We must strive for peace, harmony, and
goodwill across the frontiers of culture, faith, ethnicity, gender, and
national origin” and build new bridges of understanding and cooperative efforts
that make a difference to “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” of all
citizens.
WALKING TO CREATE COMMUNITY
CROSSROADS
Following a very warm and
friendly welcome at the Acton United Methodist Church by Pastor Mac Hamon and a
word about walking as meditation by Ms. Linda Proffitt, the President of Global
Peace Initiatives the walkers took to the street on a crisp sunny fall morning. Many participants had their heads covered
with the Sikh orange Patkas (headscarves), and there were a large number of
Sikh men and women in the crowd. Students
from IUPUI and the University of Indianapolis, Butler University, Unitarian
Universalist Club, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis); Indiana
University (Bloomington); Indiana State University (Terre Haute), and AmeriCorps
students joined in the Walk.
It was an honor pleasure to have
Mr. Gary Coons, Head of the Homeland Security, and IMPD Police Chief Rick Hite
join in the Walk and participate in the festivities of the day. Mr. Dick Wolfsie, a local TV celebrity joined
the gathering at the Sikh Temple.
The first historic interfaith walk provided a
unique opportunity for central Indiana residents of many faiths, multi-cultural
and multi-generational participants from many nations including Rwanda, Guinea,
Somalia, Australia, and India, representing Christian, Buddhist, Muslim,
Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and Humanist spiritual traditions to express solidarity and
to learn about the traditions, worship, and heritage of the Sikh faith and Sikh
American community. Carrying the
American and Sikh flags, signs of peace, unity, and love, the 200-strong
participants walked from Acton United Methodist Church to the Sikh Gurdwara
(Temple) down the road, singing, reciting, and shouting Jakaras (exuberant Sikh
acclamations) along the half a mile route.
WELCOME, RECEPTION, INTRODUCTION
TO SIKH FAITH AND CULTURE
The group was welcomed by the
Sikh spiritual leader, Giani Pritam Singh, and others with singing of the Sikh welcome
hymn: “Humm Ghur Saajun Aaye: to our home have come friends.”
Following the Punjabi tea and
snacks, the heads of various organizations that sponsored the Walk were
introduced, there was a brief period of question answers, and then the entire
group was led into the Gurdwara Sanctuary where Sikh hymns were being sung by
visiting Raagis (Sikh musicians). Many
guests were witnessing the Sikh tradition of worship and the Sikh tradition of
Langar (community meal) for the first time.
Mr. Gary Coons, Police Chief Rick Hite, Rev. Mac Hamon, and Dr. Ian
McIntosh were honored with copies of the book, The Sikhs. They addressed
the gathering and offered assuring, inspirational, and thought-provoking
messages to the gathering of over 300 congregants and guests.
SPONSORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND
FRIENDS
The Interfaith Walk for Unity and
Understanding was sponsored by: The Center for Interfaith Cooperation; Acton
United Methodist Church; Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis; Global Peace Initiative;
Indianapolis Peace Learning Center; Jewish Community Relations Council; and
Muslim Alliance of Indiana; Amahoro Project for Forgiveness and Reconciliation;
and the Indianapolis Immigrant Welcome Center.
INSPIRATION AND FUTURE
INITIATIVES
The Interfaith Walk took on the
aura of an interfaith pilgrimage with the rich experience of walking together
in a meditative and joyful spirit; sharing together and an opportunity to learn
from and about each other; exploring our common humanity in a friendly
environment; and getting to know about the distinct philosophy of the Sikh
faith, culture of generosity, and about the community of people dedicated to
the concept of equality and justice; individual dignity and oneness as members
of one human race. Sikhs honor the sanctity of all faiths and spiritual
traditions.
We believe that such endeavors
have the potential to connect and enlarge our understanding of people that
today make up the spiritual fabric of our Nation, add immeasurably to the
spirit and richness of the cultural landscape of our neighbors and
Indiana. Engaging with faith as a
unifying anchor has a transformational power.
It can engender respect and celebration of our distinctness and an opportunity
to discover common ground; can inspire us to work together, initiate projects that
serve and make a difference. Such
experiences and learning about relating to people and cultures different from
our own can prepare the next generation about the importance of global
citizenship that today is vital to excel in a highly competitive marketplace of
ideas and an interdependent world. We
may discover amazing friends and forge new friendships.
A pilgrimage into community interfaith
crossroads dispels unfounded stereotypes, enhances our understanding of our
shared humanity, is a door to our world and an illuminating gift to the human
spirit. We can imagine a new renaissance
of knowing the thoughts and experiences of people from other lands that
surround us. It strengthens our
neighborhood and our Republic.
