Hindu prayer at US Senate sparks Christian protest

HISTORICAL MOMENT: Former journalist and priest, Rajan Zed delivered the minute-and-a-half long prayer.

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Washington DC: History was made in the American Congress on Thursday as the US Senate opened its daily session with Hindu prayers.

Former journalist and priest, Rajan Zed wearing the traditional saffron robe, delivered the minute-and-a-half long prayer, which was translated into English as per the rules of the Senate Chaplain.

But before the ceremony could begin, a small group of vocal Christian protestors shouted angry slogans from the visitor's gallery right above the Senate floor.

The demonstrators including two women and one man were arrested in the Senate visitors' gallery for disruption of Congress, a misdemeanor.

On their website this week, the American Family Association also criticised the idea of a Hindu clergyman delivering the prayer.

Meanwhile being given the opportunity to conduct the prayer, Zed said, “It's a great honor for me and Hindus all over the world.”

Nevada-based Zed has performed similar ceremonies in the State Assembly and Senate and traveled to Washington after getting an invitation from Senator Harry Reid to do the same on Capitol Hill.

For almost 200 years the US Senate has started its workdays with prayers usually delivered by the in-house Senate Chaplain.

But equally old is the tradition where Senators invite guest chaplains from their home states to host the prayer ceremony.

(With CNN-IBN inputs)