Global Champions Of Interfaith Unity Win Hofstra University’s Guru Nanak Prize

Photo: Dr. Thea Gomelauri (Left), Rt. Rev. William E. Swing (Right)

By India-West Staff Reporter

HEMPSTEAD, NY – Hofstra University has announced the winners of the 2024 Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize: Dr. Thea Gomelauri, founder of the Oxford Interfaith Forum, and the United Religions Initiative (URI), the world’s largest grassroots interfaith network.

Presented in partnership with the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Charitable Foundation, the biennial prize includes a $50,000 award that will be split between the two recipients. It honors individuals and organizations making significant contributions to interfaith dialogue and global peace.

The prize was created in 2006 by Sardar Isha Singh Bindra and his family, to honor the legacy of Guru Nanak, the 15th-century founder of Sikhism who preached equality, compassion, and unity across religious boundaries.

“It was our parents’ desire to bring better understanding among people of various faiths,” said T.J. Bindra, representing the Bindra Foundation. “They founded the Interfaith Prize in collaboration with Hofstra University to recognize individuals or organizations that bring people together. We are very pleased with the selection of two very deserving awardees for the 2024 Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize.”

Dr. Thea Gomelauri, a biblical scholar at the University of Oxford and director of the Oxford Interfaith Forum, has built a global academic platform focused on interreligious education. Her work brings scholars together to explore sacred texts from inclusive and diverse perspectives.

Her research on Georgian Jewry, one of the world’s oldest surviving Jewish diaspora communities, has drawn international recognition for shedding light on lesser-known traditions and manuscripts.

Gomelauri said, “This prestigious award in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji inspires us to continue the promotion of universal peace through interreligious education at this critical time in our history.”

The second honoree, the United Religions Initiative, was founded by Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, who envisioned a global interfaith network during an interfaith service at the 1993 United Nations 50th Anniversary. Today, URI operates in over 100 countries, empowering communities to address local and global challenges through interfaith cooperation.

From peacebuilding and conflict resolution to sustainability and human rights advocacy, URI’s grassroots network includes youth leaders, elders, and religious activists working to foster harmony and justice.

Bishop Swing, president emeritus of URI, said the award was deeply meaningful. “The generous heart of Guru Nanak was powerful in his time, and through this award the spiritual power only increases. To be honored in his name is an inward blessing,” he said.

Dr. Eva Badowska, dean of Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, noted the prize was a reflection of the university’s broader mission saying, “It reminds us that education is not just about knowledge – it’s about inspiring action and shaping a better future for all.”

Past recipients of the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize include His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Dr. Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America.

This year’s award ceremony will be held on April 22 in Woodbury, NY.