Andrea
Neal. The Indianapolis Star. 25 December
2006. Page 18 (Editorial Section).
In this season when we celebrate the birth
of Christ, it is inspiring to know that
an Indiana artist is working across the
globe to spread a message of good will and
peace.
"If we believe in God,
then I think we have to believe in each
other and it doesn't matter what faith and
culture we come from," says K.P. Singh of
Indianapolis, best known for his pen-and-ink
drawings of architectural and spiritual
landmarks. "By building friendship we can
come to peace."
Singh, a native of India and follower of
the Sikh faith, has been a constant advocate
for interfaith bridge building. He has placed
his message into a super-sized 2007 "Interfaith
Calendar" that he hopes will offer much
more than a reminder of month and day.
It's a project of Future Computing Solutions
Inc. and the Sikh Center of Orange County,
which produce an annual calendar with Sikh
motifs (To obtain one, go to
www.kpsinghdesigns.com.)
The CEO of Future Computing had been trying
to get Singh to do a calendar for several
years, but Singh wasn't interested unless
it could carry an interfaith theme. "When
you are ready to talk about an interfaith
calendar, then will I consider loaning my
artwork to this project," Singh told him.
The calendar was released last month in
Anaheim, Calif., at the Annual Sikh Heritage
Evening, an event that draws prominent Sikhs
from around the world. About 50,000 of the
calendars were printed, and Singh hopes
they end up in homes and offices from Indiana
to India.
Accompanying each month of the calendar
is a description of a religion; a piece
of art by Singh connected to that faith
and excerpts from Sikh scripture or other
inspirational text. The holidays of the
major religions are listed.
January features Sikhism and this excerpt
from Jaap Sahib, Patshai 10: "Salutations
to you, O God who is sun of suns, the moon
of moons; king of kings and king of kings
of angels; the darkest pitch darkness, the
brightest of lights; manifested in the tiniest
of seeds and largest elements of nature
and creation."
April explains Christianity and features
Singh's drawing of the Cathedral of Notre
Dame in Paris. May describes Judaism and
has a picture of The Western Wall in Jerusalem,
along with these words from Exodus: "Let
me make them a sanctuary that I may dwell
among them." September discusses Islam and
is accompanied by Singh's Dome of the Rock
in Jerusalem where Mohammad is believed
to have ascended to heaven
The major religions of course differ in
many ways, but they offer similar words
of counsel to believers, Singh notes. These
are to love God, love one's fellow man,
serve others and strive for peace.
Look around at the war in Iraq, upheaval
in the Middle East, even strife in our own
communities. "I believe a lot of our trouble
is coming from our misunderstanding of other
cultures, other faiths," Singh says.
Singh's own commitment to interfaith work
grew in the days after the Sept. 11 attacks
when turban-wearing Sikhs like him were
mistaken for Muslims and felt the sting
of prejudice. For Singh, celebrating diversity
is a passion and not something that arises
from political correctness or popular whim.
"This calendar is not just a colorful presentation
of my drawing or lofty ideals. For me it
has the potential of a thousand discussions
and forums among people, educators, spiritual
leaders and neighbors. Our learning from
and about each other is the first step to
dispel darkness that begins with ignorance
and stereotyping that has led humanity to
one too many conflicts. We need to give
each other our peace and seek friendship
through mutual respect and understanding."
It is fitting that this message of hope
comes in the Christmas season when so many
of Singh's friends are recalling the birth
of a baby in Bethlehem.
As it says in the gospel of Luke, after
appearing to shepherds to announce the good
news of a Savior's arrival, a large group
of angels joined together proclaiming, "Give
glory to God in heaven, and on Earth let
there be peace among the people who please
God."
Wouldn't it be wonderful if something as
common as a calendar could spread the uncommon
message of the angels?
Andrea Neal. "More than a mere calendar."
The Indianapolis Star 25 December
2006: Page 18.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006612250304
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