Hindu and Sikh Contributions Recognized by President Obama

Washington D.C. (CHAKRA) – On February 4^th, President Obama acknowledged the contributions of Hindus and Sikhs in the US along with other faiths, underlining the compassion and civility of Americans. 

During a National Prayer Meeting Obama discussed the compassion and decency that numerous people, organizations and religious institutions have proven in various acts of giving and kindness.  He further explained that Americans of all great world religions have been successful in demonstrating the importance of uniting in times of need.

“It’s inspiring. This is what we do, as Americans, in times of trouble. We unite, recognising that such crises call on all of us to act … recognizing that life is most sacred responsibility — one affirmed, as Hillary said, by all of the world’s great religions — is to sacrifice something of ourselves for a person in need,” Obama said.

He said, “It is expressed through the efforts of our Armed Forces, through the efforts of our entire government, through similar efforts from Spain and other countries around the world. It’s also, as Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton said, expressed through multiple faith-based efforts.”

He further explained, “By evangelicals at World Relief. By the American Jewish World Service. By Hindu temples, and mainline Protestants, Catholic Relief Services, African American churches, the United Sikhs. By Americans of every faith, and no faith, uniting around a common purpose, a higher purpose.”

The National Prayer breakfast has been taking place for over half a century, on the first Thursday of February each year.  It is designed for world leaders to assemble together and build relationships which may not be possible otherwise.