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DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA, March 27, 2005: A proposal for a National Day of Prayer is causing considerable soul searching in Troy (a nearby city). At issue is whether the prayer day, set nationally for May 5, will be celebrated on city property, at City Hall, and, more importantly, if the event will include all religions or be limited to Christians. “We have observed the National Day of Prayer here for several years,” said Troy Mayor Louise Schilling. “But the problem is, who will be allowed to participate? I and a lot of other people have always felt it was open to everyone and should be for all religions.” She said a group described the event as being for Judeo-Christians, although she said Jewish groups had not been included. On March 7, the City Council, by a 3-2 vote with two members absent, rejected a local group’s request to hold the event on city property. But two councilmen, including one not present for that vote, have called for a special meeting to reconsider the request. The controversy began at last year’s event in front of City Hall, where various participants were allowed to take turns in offering a public prayer. Schilling said a Hindu group approached her and told her they had been denied permission to pray during the public portion. Schilling had been allotted some time, which she gave over to Padma Kuppa, a Troy resident who has lived in India and the United States. Schilling said, “We have 53 places of religion in Troy and 80 languages spoken here,” she said. “We’re so diverse it was always assumed it was for everyone. How can you hold something like that on city property and not have it be for everyone?”

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