WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 17, 2006) –
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) initiated a coordinated
plan this week to raise awareness about the upcoming celebrations
of Diwali; perhaps the most widely recognized Hindu festival.
Celebrated around the world this year on October 21, Diwali,
or Deepavali in the original Sanskrit, refers to the rows
of earthen lamps celebrants place around their homes. The
light from these lamps, Hindus believe, illumines individuals
and societies burdened by ignorance and darkness.
The HAF focus on Diwali this year follows intense discussions
held with members of the United States Congress and State
Department a month ago where human rights concerns and religious
liberty issues predominated. But during those meetings,
HAF members also asked lawmakers’ support for House
Resolution 548, recognizing the festival of Diwali,
or Deepavali as it is known in Sanskrit. The resolution
recognizes the central importance the festival holds in
the lives of millions of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in the
United States and HAF’s efforts have already resulted
in thirty-eight co-sponsors of the bill that was introduced
by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R, FL).
“I am proud to have introduced a resolution that
recognizes the religious and historical significance of
the Hindu holiday of Diwali,”said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen
in a message to the Hindu community released to HAF. “The
illumination on this important holiday signifies the enlightenment
of all individuals as to the importance of religious tolerance
and understanding."
The foundation placed messages and Diwali greetings it
received from nearly a dozen lawmakers and several prominent
leaders from academia, interfaith organizations and other
religious traditions on its website in a special
section this year. Prominent Christian, Hindu, Jewish
and Muslim leaders sent greetings to HAF.
“In these days where we are so troubled by the darkness
of violence, hatred and intolerance, it is especially important
to celebrate the coming of light – the light of internal
illumination that enables us, individually and collectively,
to be the light of peace, justice and healing for our world,”
said The Rev. Canon Charles P. Gibbs, Executive Director
of United Religions Initiative. “May this Diwali be
filled with blessing and light…” he wrote.
In addition to its symbolic significance, many Hindus
believe that Diwali marks the day that an incarnation of
God, Lord Rama returned from a forced exile after defeating
the ultimate force of evil in His time. The festival is
celebrated over five days in varied ways throughout India
and also marks the end of the Hindu calendar year for many.
In addition to the spiritual significance the day holds
for Hindus, Sikhs celebrate Diwali in commemoration of 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
BCE.
“At HAF, we have made the public recognition of
Diwali a major focus of our work this year,” said
Ishani Chowdhury, Executive Director of HAF. “We firmly
believe that as our traditions and our holy festivals become
a celebrated part of the fabric of mainstream American life,
we as a community take another giant step towards fulfilling
both our Hindu and American identities.”
The Hindu American Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3),
non-partisan organization, promoting the Hindu and American
ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
