What Sikh invocation means for Donald Trump

When an Indian-descent lawyer offered a Sikh invocation at the Republican National Convention in the United States, the prayer resonated as far as India, the cradle of the faith.

As is the custom, Harmeet Dhillon covered her head with a silk navy-and-gold scarf when she sang "Tu Thakar Tum Peh Ardaas, Jio Pind Sabh Teri Raas."

Video courtesy: Fox News

It's a hymn written by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan, which is said as a prelude to daily Sikh prayers called Ardaas.

The verse is compiled in Guru Granth Sahib, the primary Sikh scripture.

It denotes total surrender, humility and, above all, delineates the world as one family, with no distinctions whatsoever.

"Tum Maat Pita, Hum Barik Tere," writes Guru Arjan in this invocation to God, which when translated means "we all our Your children".

Sikh Gurus opposed discrimination in any shape or form, be it on the basis of Hindu castes, religions, race or gender.

My Sikh friends flooded the Facebook newsfeeds and Twitter scrolls instantly in euphoria with online videos and news reports about Dhillon's Ardaas at the RNC nomination of Donald Trump as Republican candidate for the US presidency.

There's absolutely no harm in singing Sikh prayers anywhere with traditional respect, which was very much evident from the footage.

Anyone, irrespective of his or her birth, background or orientation, is welcome to gurdwaras, the Sikh houses of worship and learning.

Essentially, that is what equality is all about, which the faith espouses.

Sikh history, in fact, is all about preserving and guarding human rights, through intellectual awakening or militarily if other means failed.

So, the question is whether this Sikh prayer, high on symbolism, will change the perception of Trump among a cross-section of minorities in America and outside.

Or will Trump himself take this unifying and spiritual command seriously enough and work to transform that perception?

I don't know he will, but he should.