State help sought for establishing Gandhi monument near Nevada Capitol

A multifaith delegation of Nevada clergy recently met with Director of Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs regarding establishing a monument to Mahatma Gandhi on the Capitol grounds.

Michael E. Fischer, director of cultural affairs, assured the group, known as the Gandhi Monument Council, that he will explore the issue further and report back to the council. The clergy delegation was led by Rajan Zed, Hindu leader; Rev. Gene Savoy Jr., bishop of International Community of Christ; and Rev. Alan Dorway, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Carson City.

In a memorandum given to Fischer, the Gandhi Monument Council requested state help in terms of land, funding, design, planning, promotion, etc., for establishing Gandhi monument.

The purpose of this monument was to pass on the cherished values of Gandhi to the coming generations of Nevadans and others, Zed, Savoy and Dorway said, and added that during the last few months after launching this project, the council received overwhelming support for the idea.

Fischer said this was a worthy project as Gandhi was an inspiration to the world.

About 41 religious leaders of the state have already signed the petition in support and the council wants to continue its clergy signature campaign.

"The council will make presentations to the mayors of Las Vegas and Reno in the near future to erect one life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi each in their respective cities at suitable place," Zed said.

The focus of this council is to commemorate Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence, his commitment to world peace, and his work for the upliftment of the downtrodden. The council is formed of the Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Bahai, Native American, etc., clergy of Nevada.

Members of the council are: Father Charles T. Durante (Catholic), Rev. Carl Wilfrid (Lutheran), Father George C. Bratiotis (Greek Orthodox), Rev. John J. Auer (Methodist), Rev. Dorway (Presbyterian), Imam Abdul Barghouthi (Muslim), Rajan Zed (Hindu), Rev. Philip Bryan (Buddhist), Rabbi Myra Soifer (Jew), Trip Barthel (Bahai), Rev. Laurie Chappelle (Episcopalian), Rev. Savoy Jr. (International Community of Christ), and Irwin Sharp Fish Sr. (Native American).

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was one of the few men in history to fight simultaneously on moral, religious, political, social, economic and cultural fronts. His life and thought had an enormous impact on the world, and he continues to be widely revered as one of the greatest moral, political, and peace leaders of the 20th century.

Gandhi Monument Council

Father Charles T. Durante (Catholic)

Rev. Carl Wilfrid (Lutheran)

Father George C. Bratiotis (Greek Orthodox)

Rev. John J. Auer (Methodist)

Rev. Dorway (Presbyterian)

Imam Abdul Barghouthi (Muslim)

Rajan Zed (Hindu)

Rev. Philip Bryan (Buddhist)

Rabbi Myra Soifer (Jew)

Trip Barthel (Bahai)

Rev. Laurie Chappelle (Episcopalian)

Rev. Savoy Jr. (International Community of Christ)

Irwin Sharp Fish Sr. (Native American)

Information

E-mail Rajan Zed at zed.rajan@gmail.com.