WASHINGTON DC: Sikh Youth Choir-a combined choir of Sikhs of Eastern and Western descent was among the music of six religious traditions at the 13th annual interfaith concert on Nov.171992. Their appearance represents a 500-year-old musical tradition. This musical event sponsored by the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) has become an important religious and cultural tradition of Washington D.C.

2000 people of driver’s religious backgrounds and cultures gathered at the Washington National Cathedral known as the “House of prayer for all people. The 13th annual event in the world’s sixth largest cathedral will open the 1993 Thanksgiving season of blessings for all.

This year’s concert will feature selected choirs of the Islamic Jewish Mormon Protestant Roman Catholic and Sikh religion in addition to Native American tradition. The concert will open with the Islamic call to prayer.

The Sikh Kirtani Group which has become one of the main attractions at the interfaith concert will feature a combined group of American Sikhs and Sikhs of Asian Origin. Youth from the American Sikh community will join the youth of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) for this year’s performance. A traditional Shabad and a translation of part of the Sikh scripture set to an original American folk tune were sung.

The kirtan was accompanied by Indian and Western musical instruments. The choir is directed by Bhai Gurdarshan Singh a granthi at the GGSF who has been working with the Sikh youth of Washington since 1987. The choir will be co-directed by Gurujot Kaur.

The concert will help support the work of IFC which brings together the Islamic Jewish Mormon Protestant Roman Catholic and Sikh faith communities.

It works to increase understanding and address issues of human dignity. IFC is currently working on issues of racial and ethnic polarization drugs and violence Hunger AIDS and homelessness. GGSF represents Sikh faith in the IFC.

Dr.Rajwant Singh executive director of GGSF and member of the planning committee said “This event brings together diverse traditions and this can become an ongoing force in this community for social and moral transformation of our society.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 27, 1992