2007 Achievements

Public Policy | Legal Activism | Hindu Human Rights Campaign | Interfaith

Public Policy

HAF Hosts Fourth Annual Legislative Days and Capitol Hill Reception
United States lawmakers and influential Hindu Americans shared the dais at the annual Capitol Hill reception hosted in Washington, D.C. in mid-September, 2007 by HAF. For the fourth consecutive year, leaders of the Foundation and nearly 150 supporters gathered under the rotunda of the US Capitol building capping a day of face-to-face meetings on the Hill discussing issues of concern to Hindu Americans.

HAF Addressed Congressional Human Rights Caucus Briefing
In a first of its kind, the HAF testified at a House of Representatives Congressional Human Rights Caucus briefing on human rights in South Asia on July 17, 2007. At the briefing, Ishani Chowdhury, HAF's Director of Public Policy, highlighted the plight of Hindus in Afghanistan and India's state of Jammu and Kashmir specifically, and urged assembled political leaders, human rights groups, and the media to focus on the non-proselytizing, peaceful populations of Hindus who are facing persecution and discrimination in South Asia and in other parts of the world.

HAF Successfully Urges Congressional Leaders to Write to USCIS about R1 Visas
HAF worked to inform Congress of the adverse effects of the R1 visa changes on Hindu temples and centers. The proposed  category changes in the visa would disqualify pujaris, shipis or other necessary temple workers from entering the country and serving at these institutions. The following Congressional offices have written to USCIS asking for a re-evaluation on the matter, and the inclusion of Hindu terminology in the proposed changes: Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Jim McDermott (D-WA).

Legal Activism Campaign

HAF Files Amicus Brief Supporting Saraswati Mandir
On December 21, 2007, HAF joined the legal effort in support of a Hindu Ashram (monastery) in New Hampshire by submitting an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court of New Hampshire where the case is to be heard in early 2008.  The monks from the Ashram were under an imminent threat of eviction amidst allegations of fraudulent lending practices by a Virginia based lender, G&G, LLC. Eviction proceedings were initiated against the Saraswati Mandiram, a New Hampshire based Hindu Ashram situated on a one hundred acre tract of land north of Boston, and the ashram's resident head priest, Pandit Ramadheen Ramsamooj, over a year ago. Pandit Ramsamooj has argued that G&G breached its contract with the ashram by violating and failing to abide by the terms of their mortgage agreement.

HAF Ask for Changes to Immigration Regulations
In June 2007, HAF's legal advisory team submitted comments to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding proposed changes to the religious worker (R-1) visa program. After consultation with other Hindu institutions and temples, the Foundation prepared the submission in response to mounting alarm in the Hindu community that Hindu priests, temple artisans and traditional temple architects were increasingly being denied religious worker visas.

HAF Joins in Colorado Supreme Court Case
In February 2007, HAF, along with sixteen diverse religious and civil rights organizations, submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Colorado State Supreme Court defending the constitutionality of the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).  The RLUIPA was passed in 2000 by Congress to provide stronger protection for religious freedom in the land-use and prison contexts. Town of Foxfield, Colorado v. The Archdiocese of Denver involves the passage and selective enforcement of a zoning ordinance that the Archdiocese of claims substantially burdens the religious exercise of its southeast suburban parish.
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Hindu Human Rights Campaign

HAF Releases its Third Annual Hindu Human Rights Report
On July 11, 2007, HAF released its third annual report today on the discrimination against Hindus in countries across the world.  The 200-page report documenting abuses against Hindus in 11 countries and regions has received widespread support by members of the U.S. Congress, community leaders, scholars, and several international human rights groups.  The report has been covered by major newspapers such as The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and The Houston Chronicle.

HAF Campaigns Against Hindu Temple Destructions and Human Rights Violations in Malaysia
HAF condemned the demolition the 100-year-old Maha Mariamman Temple in Padang Jawa by Malaysian authorities on October 30, 2007. The Works Minister and head of the Malaysian Indian Congress, Samy Vellu, said that Hindu temples built on government land were still being demolished despite his appeals to the various state chief ministers.  Following the latest temple destruction, HAF urged Malaysian authorities to allow the gathering of Malay Hindus organized by Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) on November 25, 2007 to submit a petition to the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.  Yet, HINDRAF leaders were arrested for "sedition," and Malaysian Hindu activists reported road blocks and the usage of water canons to disperse the crowds.  HAF raised alarm over the continued heavy-handed and authoritarian actions of the Malaysian government in dealing with the leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF).  According to newspaper reports, five leaders of HINDRAF were arrested on December 13, 2007, under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for detention without trial.

Interfaith

HAF Attends World Congress of Ethnic Religions
On June 19-21, 2007, HAF attended the 10th World Congress of Ethnic Religions in Jurmala, Latvia with 30 other international delegates and 50 Latvians. The World Congress of Ethnic Religions consists of global religious organizations that identify themselves as pagan and/or ethnic religions. Some religions are recognized by their governments while others face outright discrimination and persecution. The collective endeavor to promote peace, harmony and ecological balance was emphasized by conference attendees. Four HAF sponsored resolutions were passed, including statements against internet hate speech, against fraudulent conversion of vulnerable segments of the population, against persecution of ethnic religions and in support of tolerance and further dialogue.