Rajan Zed prayer protest

On July 12, 2007, Rajan Zed, a Hindu cleric and a leader in Interfaith Relations from the Indian Association of Northern Nevada based in Reno, appeared at the United States Senate as its guest Chaplain.

Rajan Zed, an Indian immigrant and American citizen, had served as guest Chaplain for the Nevada State Senate and Assembly and delivered the first Hindu prayer there (on March 19 and May 7, 2007).

[2] At the Senate chambers on July 12, 2007 Rajan Zed (wearing the traditional sandalpaste tilak on his forehead, a rudraksha mala, and saffron-colored clothing) approached the podium.

There was no complaints over the prayer from California's Conservative Christian Community, and the Reverend Louis Sheldon, who founded the state's "Traditional Values Coalition" declared "I don't see any problem with it at all.

[1] Seeking to promote understanding of Hinduism and "emphasizes the multicultural and religious freedom aspect of this country" throughout the end of 2007 and into 2008 Zed made requests and was granted a guest chaplaincy to recite Hindu prayers at state legislatures in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona.

"[6][7] Senator Lori Den Hartog joined the boycott holding it would be disingenuous to her Christian faith to attend and "It was a personal decision, I didn't want to announce it prior to the event.