April 21, 2008
Source: Newstrack/NI Wire
http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/3186
Rajan Zed, the internationally acclaimed Hindu chaplain, has been denied the request of reading opening prayer in the Australia House of Representatives.
In a reply to Zed's request, Bernard Wright, Deputy Clerk of the House, wrote, "...standing orders as they are worded would not allow a chaplain of any faith to say a prayer or similar invocation: this is because they specify that it is the Speaker who reads the prayer, and also because they specify the prayer..."