From right to left: The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, TJ Bindra, CEO, Paras Design Inc, Dr Susan Poser, President, Hofstra University, Dr. Eva Badowska, Dean, Ostra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Press Statement: Prestigious Guru Nanak Prize awarded to URI and its Founder the Rt. Rev. William E. Swing
Date: 22 April 2025
Location: San Francisco
The United Religions Initiative (URI) is profoundly honored that it has been awarded the prestigious Guru Nanak Prize for its unwavering commitment to fostering interfaith cooperation, peacebuilding, and social justice worldwide. Awarded by Hofstra University in collaboration with the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Charitable Foundation, URI officially received the Guru Nanak Prize during a ceremony on 22 April 2025.
“On behalf of the United Religions Initiative and the Rev Bill Swing, we are very honored and very grateful to receive the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize. It’s a blessing to receive such a prize from the prestigious Hofstra University, and be associated with the name of Guru Nanak, a unique man who brought to the world a unique vision of brotherhood for all humanity.” Eric Roux, URI Global Council Chair.
This esteemed recognition highlights URI's 25-year dedication to promoting understanding and respect among diverse religious and cultural communities and leveraging the power of interfaith collaboration to promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation, end religiously motivated violence, and promote peace, justice, and healing..
The Guru Nanak Prize, inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, celebrates values such as compassion, equality, and service to humanity. URI’s mission aligns with these principles, as it works collectively to address some of the world's most pressing challenges through collaborative efforts with over 1200 Cooperation Circles worldwide and across different faith traditions and spiritual expressions.
“We don’t not accept it as an acknowledgment for the work done, but as an encouragement to do more, in a world that desperately needs it. So, thank you. But there is hope, because life is hope. And as long as there will be life, there will be hope.” Eric Roux shared during the award ceremony on 22 April 2025.
This award honors URI’s past achievements and energizes our commitment to continue building bridges of understanding and cooperation among people of all backgrounds.
“The generous heart of Guru Nanak was powerful in his time, and through this award, the spiritual power only increases. For the United Religions Initiative and me to be honored by association with this great man is an inward blessing, indeed.” Bishop Swing
The Guru Nanak Prize serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the impact that interfaith efforts can have in creating a more just and peaceful world.
As URI continues to champion interfaith dialogue and collaborative action, this recognition is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the impact that collective efforts can have in creating a more just and peaceful world.
Click Here to Read More about the award.
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