03-27-2006, 11:15 PM
Link<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Ragsdale: Historic prayer by Hindu priest touches on faith's growth in Iowa</b>SHIRLEY RAGSDALE
REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR
March 25, 2006
Although it didn't receive a lot of fanfare, something historic happened this month at the Capitol. For the first time, a Hindu priest offered the opening prayer at the legislative session in the Iowa House and Senate.
Pandit Krishna Pandey prayed in Sanskrit and English for brotherhood and peace in the universe.
That Pandey was invited and welcomed is a tribute to lawmakers' recognition of Iowa's growing religious diversity.
That it didn't cause a stir is an important signal that minority religions are respected and accepted in this predominantly Christian state.
The invitation extended to Pandey and Suren Gupta, chairman of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, came from Sen. Herman Quirmbach and Rep. Lisa Heddens, Ames Democrats.
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REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR
March 25, 2006
Although it didn't receive a lot of fanfare, something historic happened this month at the Capitol. For the first time, a Hindu priest offered the opening prayer at the legislative session in the Iowa House and Senate.
Pandit Krishna Pandey prayed in Sanskrit and English for brotherhood and peace in the universe.
That Pandey was invited and welcomed is a tribute to lawmakers' recognition of Iowa's growing religious diversity.
That it didn't cause a stir is an important signal that minority religions are respected and accepted in this predominantly Christian state.
The invitation extended to Pandey and Suren Gupta, chairman of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, came from Sen. Herman Quirmbach and Rep. Lisa Heddens, Ames Democrats.
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