WASHINGTON: Sikh Kirtani Jatha a 30-member choir organized by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) participated in the 14th annual Interfaith concert held at the Washington Hebrew Congregation (WHC) featuring the great music of seven world religions This event sponsored by the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) has become an important religious and cultural tradition since the last 13 years.

The concert opened dramatically with an Imam chanting a Islamic call to prayer standing in front of the 10 commandments in Hebrew. The auditorium full of 1800 people witnessed the singing procession by all choirs who made their way down in a colorful diverse array of traditional vestments and attire. The most outstanding were the Sikhs with their white turbaned and white shalwar Kameez. Choirs of Jewish Mormons Roman Catholic Protestant and Sikh faith groups sang liturgical music of a wide range and the audience joined enthusiastically in the non-denominational combined choir pieces. Hindus participated for the first time with a presentation of a solo devotional dance by Radha Dutta.

The Sikh Kinaki Jatha which has become one of the main attractions at the interfaith concern featured a shabad by Guru Amardas from Anand Sahib. The Punjabi version and English translation of the hymn was sung by the group based on the musical composition by Ragi Jaspal Singh a Los Angeles based Kirtan singer who lead the group this year.

The kiran was accompanied by many Indian and Western instruments including the harmonium tabla Dolki Surmandal Tanpura and key board. These instruments enriched the human voices singing the praise of God.

Rabbi Joseph Weinberg of WHC reflecting on the concept remarked during the invocation that selflessness will allow us to move toward each other in our communa per memorandums submitted by the Akalis in the past. We demanded Punjabi Suba purely on linguistic basis but the Center gave us Sikh majority state Akali Dal will welcome the transfer of Punjabi speaking areas. May be the Sikhs lose majority in thick State. To a question he denied any difference with party’s President Badal on the issue of submission of thanks giving memorandum to the American embassy of any other matter.

Stating he has also advised the village panchayats to send thanks: giving memorandums to the American embassy. He said that a large number of panchayats did 80 To another question he disclosed that the SGPC had referred the case of Narinder Singh Bhullar allegedly for casting blasphemous remarks against Gurbani and Guru Granth Sahib to Akal Takht.

The Akali leader alleged that official machinery was blatantly misused for holding week-long function of the Beant Singh Government Describing the cultural programs being organized by the state government and the Punjab police as kanjral (obscene) programs. He alleged that in the name of folk songs and folk dances the rich Punjabi culture was being distorted.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 11, 1994