Although news about the British royal family is prevalent, I prefer not to keep up with it. Specifically, I found the constant coverage of King Charles’ coronation on the major evening news annoying … until I stumbled upon a brief clip from British media in which the king decided to uphold a royal tradition as the “Defender of the Faiths” – plural – in his coronation ceremony.
Britain’s King Charles III receives a greeting by the Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist faith leaders of the UK following his coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. Ben Stansall/Pool via Associated Press
In the footage of King Charles’ coronation, a group of representatives from different religious communities could be seen, ranging from larger Christian denominations to smaller groups like Zoroastrians and Baha’is. As someone of Iranian heritage and a member of the Baha’i faith who has personally faced discrimination in their home country, the sight filled me with happiness and a sense of validation. I couldn’t help but smile in approval.
As an American, I feel that my religious rights here are protected, too. This notion affords me a profound sense of validation and security. It is largely due to the constitutional safeguards in place that protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority. Even after more than 200 years, this segment of our Constitution has remained steadfast and effective. It serves as a unifying element that we should all cherish and uphold.
Nasser Rohani
Portland
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