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Amendment in New Zealand Parliament prayer structure sought

Wednesday 27 February 2008, 3:32PM

By Rajan Zed

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A prominent religious leader, Rajan Zed, has requested the New Zealand Parliament to amend its prayer procedure/structure, thus making it more inclusive and universal.

In a communiqué to Standing Orders Committee of New Zealand Parliament, Zed said that instead of Parliament Speaker reading the same prayer every sitting day, guest chaplains from various religions and denominations should be invited to read the opening prayer, thus each day starting with a new prayer. This practice will substantiate the freedom of worship enjoyed across the nation, he added.

Rajan Zed further said in this communication that if the Parliament wants the same prayer to be read each day, then the wording of the prayer should be universal and inclusive in nature so that it reflects/represents the diverse population of New Zealand. As you know, New Zealand is now a multicultural country where religion encompasses more than one tradition, and it includes Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Spiritualists, etc., besides many with no religious affiliation, Zed added.

The challenge today is to seek unity that celebrates diversity, Zed suggested.

New Zealand Parliament starts each sitting day in Wellington with the same prayer read out by the Speaker of the House and the prayer regulation is defined/guided by the Standing Orders and Speaker’s Rulings. New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy headed by the Queen.

Current wording of the prayer is: “Almighty God, humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things, and laying aside all private and personal interests, we beseech Thee to grant that we may conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the public welfare, peace, and tranquillity of New Zealand, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”

New Zealand, a geographically isolated country in southwestern Pacific Ocean of the size of Colorado, is one of least crowded countries (population around 4.3 million) with beautiful landscape, which includes fjord-scarred shores, snowy peaks, and sheep dotted pastures. Food, beverages and tobacco are its largest exports.