New York, New York, USA -- The Religions for Peace USA (previously known as the United States Conference of Religions for Peace) is part of a rapidly expanding, global, interfaith movement which has work in over 100 countries and chapters in over 50. RFP-USA occasionally spotlights individual members or communities. In its first e-letter, the group featured the World Sikh Council - America Region, one of its newest members.

The Religions for Peace e-letter highlighted some of the work that the World Sikh Council had been doing such as leading a Sikh delegation to meet with French government officials in Paris in February, 2004, and presenting a memorandum regarding the French ban on religious headwear. WSC-AR also worked with an artist to create a peace prayer vessel to be installed at the World Trade Center memorial site in collaboration with RFP-USA.

RFP-USA has several other projects underway that WSC-AR will be a part of, including developing a national dialogue on matters relating to the role of religion in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs; aiding the respectful return to the earth of the remains of over 110,000 culturally unidentifiable human remains and sacred objects of Native Americans, currently held in museums, universities, and government repositories; building inter-religious councils in communities where they currently do not exist; planning the development of a national interfaith directory and research tool; and producing public service announcements and other media that positively promote the value of rich religious diversity in the U.S.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General of the World Sikh Council - America Region and the Chairman of its National Interfaith Committee, says, “By collaborating with RFP-USA, the Sikh community has the opportunity to work with a national interfaith organization in educating and informing other national faith leaders and their communities about Sikhs, their history, and [their] commitment to peace and justice. It will help the Sikh community in developing and implementing a vision of peaceful co-existence in a world that is being increasingly polarized and marred by violence. Working with RFP-USA will help WSC-AR in promoting peace and justice within the diverse communities of faith across the world.”

WSC-AR, founded in 1997, is a representative and elected body of Gurdwaras and Sikh institutions in the U.S. Its current members include 28 Gurdwaras and 8 Sikh organizations across 17 U.S. states. The organization’s goal is to promote Sikh interests at the national and international level, focusing on issues of advocacy, education, and well-being of humankind.

The relationship with RFP-USA began at a conference, co-sponsored by WSC-AR, of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) titled "Journeys of Faith, Freedom, and Justice," in August 9-12, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio. The Executive Director of RFP-USA, Rev. Bud Heckman, attended the conference and met with Dr. Tarunjit Singh. “From then onwards, the relationship between RFP-USA and WSC-AR blossomed,” says Dr. Tarunjit Singh.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh is also a member of the Executive Council which is the working group of RFP-USA. This allows for the Sikh perspective and participation in all matters being discussed. It also provides for WSC-AR to listen to the views of other faiths and to forge collaborations with them. Additionally, the current Vice-President of WSC-AR, Dr. Gurcharan Singh, of Long Island, NY, is on the Council of Presidents of RFP-USA.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh added, “It is important for faith leaders and communities to work across religious boundaries as peacemakers for just peace - everlasting peace in which all are equal, and compassion, justice, and reconciliation prevails. The legacy of just peacemaking is ours to behold and share. Peacemakers of faith and conviction need to work in harmony with each other and those that may disagree with them, to make this world a better place for all of us to live in.”

“Religions for Peace USA is the nation's oldest interfaith organization in the US that brings people of faith together to work collaboratively on issues of peace and justice. Throughout Sikh history, we, the Sikhs, have been committed to peaceful co-existence with others. The Sikh struggle for justice for the oppressed (whether Sikh or non-Sikh) has been a hallmark of our faith's history. It is but natural for Sikh organizations to work with other people of faith to promote peace and justice in our communities and the world.”

RFP-USA is located directly across from the United Nations in New York City. For more information, see www.rfpusa.org. For more information on World Sikh Council, see www.worldsikhcouncil.org.

Note: The picture shows representative for the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Ms. Betty Golomb, sharing a laugh with colleague and new Executive Council member, Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Chair of the Interfaith Committee, World Sikh Council – America Region.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Ohio State University and is a Research Scientist at the university. He has lived in Central Ohio since 1989 with wife and two daughters.