Reno Vice Mayor David Aiazzi read and presented the Mayor Robert A. Cashell signed proclamation carrying City Seal to Zed and other Faith Forum panelists in the Reno City Council meeting on August 29, congratulating panelists and RGJ Publisher John Maher and Executive Editor Beryl Love. Maher also received the proclamation and spoke on the occasion.

Panelists currently include: Brother Matthew Cunningham, Chancellor of Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno (RCDR); Dr. Stephen Bond, Senior Pastor of Summit Christian Church in Sparks; Nicholas F. Frey, Area Public Affairs Director of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS); Dr. Sherif A. Elfass, President of Northern Nevada Muslim Community; Reverend Jikai’ Phil Bryan, Priest & Meditation Guide of Reno Buddhist Center; ElizaBeth W. Beyer, Rabbi of Temple Beth Or in Reno; Dr. Bradley S. Corbin, Baha’i Teacher; Father Stephen Karcher, Priest of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Reno. Dr. William Tell Gifford, Religion Professor of Truckee Meadows Community College; Dr. Thomas Butler, Pastor of Sparks United Methodist Church; R. Bruce Brinkerhoff of LDS; Sharla S. Hales, Assistant Area Public Affairs Director of LDS; and Monique Jacobs, Director of Faith Formation of RCDR; have also participated in it.

City of Sparks, Nevada led by Mayor Geno R. Martini, also issued a Commendation certificate in March last to Faith Forum “for creating this constructive dialogue which has helped to foster mutual understanding, trust, and loyalty in the community”.

Beryl Love says that this Forum is a model on how to engage the community on a subject matter that touches their daily lives and hearts. It will continue, he adds.

Zed pointed out: “Religion is complex. Religion is powerful. Religion is much more than our own particular tradition. There are interconnections and interdependencies between religions and there are differences. If we dig deeper, we shall find that we have more in common than in conflict. Faith Forum attempts to create harmony in the community.”

RGJ, whose traces go back to 1870 and which has been recognized for its journalistic excellence, is one of the leading newspapers of Nevada and produces various other print and online publications also. McLean (Virginia, USA) headquartered Gannett is an international media and marketing solutions company headed by Gracia C. Martore.

Zed is a religious statesman who has taken up interfaith, religion, environment, Roma (Gypsies) and other causes all over the world. He has read opening prayers in US Senate, various state senates and houses of representatives, counties and city councils all over the country. He has also been invited by President of European Parliament in Brussels for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. He has been panelist for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Zed is also the spiritual advisor to National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families, etc.