Columbus Public Information Officer Joe Dillon has been arranging for religious leaders — mostly local — to give the invocation at the beginning of the twice-monthly city council meetings since he began in his position in 2016.
Typically he arranges for local pastors who have reached out to city officials or been recommended by council members to attend the meetings in person or over Zoom and say a prayer after Mayor Robert Smith has opened the meeting but before the council has begun discussing business.
“I think it’s a good valuable part of the meeting,” Dillon said. “… These men and ladies have to make some difficult decisions. … It is a time of encouragement, almost like when a team goes out and takes the field in a time of battle. This is a time to say that we’re behind you, we believe in you.”
So he was excited to learn that Rajan Zed, president of the Nevada-based Universal Society of Hinduism, had reached out to city officials requesting to say a traditional Hindu prayer at the start of Tuesday’s city council meeting — the first time a religious leader not from a Judeo-Christian denomination will have given the invocation as far as either Dillon or Chief Administrative Officer David Armstrong know.
“I think it’s significant because it shows that Columbus wants to be all-inclusive and wants to encourage everyone of all beliefs,” Dillon said. “… He contacted us and (asked if he could) lead the invocation. We didn’t hesitate. We said, ‘Sure, we’d be glad for you to.’
“I’m glad he’s coming,” he added. “I’m glad he’s able to do this.”
Zed, who established the Universal Society of Hinduism in 2011, has said opening prayers at state legislative sessions and meetings of local governments all over the country. Tuesday will be the first time he has done so in Mississippi, he told The Dispatch in an email.
“Although I have never been to Columbus, … it seemed fascinating to me,” he said in the email. “I shall try to visit Columbus in the future.”
Zed and USH work to promote Hinduism and Hindu values while also fostering dialogue and understanding with other faiths, according to Zed’s website.
In a press release issued Wednesday, he said he will recite an ancient Sanskrit prayer from Hindu texts containing the oldest religious scriptures in the world still in use. Following the Sanskrit prayer, he’ll translate them into English, all over Zoom, since the meeting will be virtual to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
“Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he proposes to urge council members and others present to keep the welfare of others always in mind,” the release said.
Ward 5 City Councilman Stephen Jones said it will be a good opportunity for the people in Columbus to be exposed to a faith and a culture they may not know much about.
“I think it says a lot about Columbus and I think it’s very interesting, and it may even make people go out and learn a little bit more about different cultures,” he said. “Whether they believe in it or not, it might make people want to Google it or learn a little bit more about it.”
Both Jones and Dillon said there are likely members of the Columbus community who follow the Hindu faith, and this prayer just shows the council represents everyone.
“They represent everyone of all colors, all beliefs, no matter what our differences are, and I think this is a great example to show that they really mean it and they follow through,” Dillon said.
All city officials and council members The Dispatch talked to pointed out the city can’t legally bar a religious leader from giving the opening invocation based just on their faith.
“Anybody’s welcome to come speak to us. All religions are welcome,” Armstrong said. “We don’t distinguish Judeo-Christian, Jew, non-Christian, whatever, Hinduism, Buddhism.”
“This is a free country and all religions are accepted,” said Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box, who said he supports Zed saying the prayer. “We have no right to refuse anybody that requests. I’m a Protestant (Christian), you know, but he would be welcome just like we have Hindus and Muslims … in our own legislature nationally. … He’s just like any other preacher that would come.”
Still, at least one council member is worried about how the public may view a public meeting invocation from a belief system so different from the professed faith of the majority of citizens.
“I don’t think we can legally deny him, … but I’m not sure it’s a good thing to do,” Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin said. “… Usually the invocation is related to Southern traditional values and so forth, Christianity, and Hinduism is a different religion. So I don’t know how it’s going to be received by the public.”
Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens said he would like to have more information on Zed and his beliefs before offering any opinion on the prayer, but stressed that it’s up to the mayor and his administration, not the city council, who gives the invocation at meetings.
Ward 4 Councilman Pierre Beard told The Dispatch he is aware Zed will be giving the invocation but declined to comment further. Ward 1 Councilwoman Ethel Stewart did not return messages from The Dispatch by press time.
Conflict disclosure: Managing Editor Zack Plair took part in editing this article. He is currently involved in legal proceedings with the city of Columbus.
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