NEW YORK: Interfaith prayer and candle light vigil was held in New York City at City Hall Park, behind the Mayor’s office on June 6, 1987 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. About 100 people of all denominations attended the function. The program was started with Sikh Ardas. The purpose of the program was to nav home to those who laid their lives while observing the martyrdom day in memory of Guru Arjun Dev Ji in the Amritsar Golden Temple and about 40 other Sikh shrines in the start of Punjab on June 4, 5, and 6, 1987. The Golden Temple was attacked by Indian Army without any prior warning and thousands of people present in various gurdwaras were shot and killed. Akal Takht, the Supreme Seat of Justice, and many other historic shrines were demolished and desecrated. Theme of the prayer was that no One no man or woman, no government be it democracy or dictatorship, no institution or agency has the right to attack a place of worship be it a gurdwara of a mosque, church or a synagogue or any other place of worship. This theme was reiterated at the candle light vigil with the prayers: “Let Almighty God’ shows the light to the people and the governments of this world that they leave the places of worship to the people of faith”.
Prayers were offered by: Gyoni Ji Chain offered Sikh prayer and Ardas Satjiwan Singh Khalsa offer2d Sikh prayer in English, Imam Bakriddin offered Muslim prayer.
Rev. Rupright said Christian prayer and Brian Sank offered Jewish prayer.
Priest for Hindu prayer did not make it, free food was served to all resent including the homeless present in the park. Special food was sent to the shelter kat Lafayette Street for the homeless living here.
The program was concluded with singing of hymns from Guru Sranth Sahib Jiand English songs prepared by American Sikhs.
The program was sponsored by the Sikh Women International Organization, New York.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1987
