Namaste,
This Deepavali (Diwali) promises to be
special for Hindu, Jain and Sikh Americans. The Hindu American
Foundation (HAF) is making the public recognition of the
festival of Diwali a major focus of our work this year.
HAF has worked with U.S. Congressmen to author House
Resolution 548, a Bill recognizing Diwali. As a result
of HAF’s Third Annual Government Outreach and Leadership
Conference in Washington, D.C., the Foundation educated
Congressmen and their staff about Diwali and increased recognition
of Hinduism in general.
You may contact your Congressman and voice
your opinion about the Diwali resolution. To find out the
contact details for your Congressman, visit www.congress.org
As part of HAF’s Diwali initiative,
the Foundation asked prominent leaders in government, academe,
and interfaith organizations to send greetings for this
important festival and religious day. The Foundation was
able to obtain close to 30 messages and in the process increase
awareness of Diwali and exposure to the Hindu American community.
Consider educating your politicians, interfaith leaders,
and journalists with the following brief message:
"Diwali, a variation of the Sanskrit
word Deepavali, refers to the rows of earthen lamps celebrants
place around their homes. Hindus believe that the light
from these lamps symbolizes illumination within the individual
that overwhelms ignorance, represented by darkness. In addition
to the spiritual significance the day holds for Hindus,
the resolution also explains the importance of the day to
Sikhs and Jains. Sikhs celebrate the release of the Sixth
Guru, Hargobind, from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir
and Jains commemorate Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira, the
last of the Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana, or liberation,
after his death in 527 B.C. This year Diwali is being celebrated
on October 21."
Finally, on this auspicious day, consider
helping those Hindus in need all around the world in some
way or supporting HAF by renewing your membership or a donation.
You may support the HAF Endowment with a gift of stocks,
mutual funds, life insurance, or other assets, and add HAF
to your estate planning.
On behalf of HAF’s Board of Directors
and Executive Council, best wishes for Diwali and for the
New Year!
Thank you for your ongoing support,
Mihir Meghani, M.D.
President, Hindu American Foundation
