Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University is now accepting applications for the 2010 Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize, a $50,000 award for a living individual or organization that has contributed to the promotion of constructive dialogue between faith communities. The prize is awarded biennially.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso, was named the first winner of the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize in 2008 in recognition of his many years of promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding around the world.

The winner is chosen by a distinguished panel of judges composed of religious leaders, academics and individuals known for their commitment to interfaith dialogue. Award recipients will have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, courage and a capacity for inspiring in others a willingness to embrace the vulnerability that is the key to true religious dialogue.

The deadline for applications for the 2010 prize is July 15, 2009.

The goal of this international award is to bring greater visibility to the critical role that religious dialogue plays in the pursuit of peace and to provide direct support for the furtherance of such activities. Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, taught that we locate our oneness with humanity by exploring our differences.

The prize is funded by a generous gift from the family of Ishar Singh Bindra and will be awarded by Hofstra in collaboration with the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Charitable Foundation.

Nominators should provide a brief description of themselves (no more than 100 words) and a two-page letter describing the individual or organization being nominated and the activities the nominator believes qualify the nominee for consideration. Nominations may be submitted in writing to Dean Bernard J. Firestone, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 200A Heger Hall, 115 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549-1115, or by e-mail at GuruNanakPrize@hofstra.edu . For more information please visit www.hofstra.edu/gurunanak.
 
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