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HINDU AMERICANS SHOCKED BY ALABAMA CHURCH BURNINGS

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION CONDEMNS BLASPHEMOUS MUSLIM CARTOONS
 

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Hindu Americans Shocked by Alabama Church Burnings

TAMPA, Fl (Feb. 11, 2006) – A series of suspected arson attacks on nine Baptist churches in Alabama has shocked the Hindu American community, reminding them of similar attacks on temples across the country. Over the past week, nine churches in central Alabama were set ablaze in two strings of attacks. Federal and state investigators suspect the fires were intentional but have yet to determine any motive.

After September 11th, 2001, several Hindu temples across North America and the United Kingdom have been targets of vandalism, firebombing and arson attacks. In recently released statistics, the FBI reported that in 2004 alone, there were 1,197 hate crime incidents that were religiously motivated.¹

“Having faced similar attacks in the past, Hindu Americans empathize with the congregations affected by these heinous crimes,” said Pawan Deshpande, member of the Executive Council of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). “Because places of worship are central to many communities, we hope that law enforcement will be able to expeditiously apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators.”

For further information: Please contact HAF.
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Hindu American Foundation Condemns Blasphemous Muslim Cartoons

TAMPA, Fl (Feb. 7, 2006) - The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) condemned today a collection of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed that were first published by a Danish newspaper.

Twelve cartoons, including one that depicted the Prophet Mohammed hiding a bomb under his turban, were first printed on September 30, 2005 in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten and have since appeared in various newspapers in Europe, the United States, New Zealand and Jordan. Muslims around the world have been outraged by these illustrations. Several Muslim groups held boycotts and protests, some that were violent and led to several fatalities. Cartoonists and newspaper editors have received multiple death threats.

"Though as Americans we are committed to freedom of speech and expression, cartoonists and their editors demonstrated a monumental lapse in judgment at best, and outright bigotry at worst," said Mihir Meghani, President of the Hindu American Foundation. "As a Hindu, having experienced painful depictions of my faith in this country, I can relate to the protests by the Muslim world, but violence is simply not an acceptable solution."

HAF has previously engaged several media outlets in the United States and Europe for inflammatory and vulgar depictions of Hindu symbols and sacred beliefs. Recent accounts in the American press depicted Hindus as cannibals, believers in "capricious gods" and adherents of mythical religious texts.

Aseem Shukla, Member of the HAF Board of Directors, added, "In the age of globalization, it is especially important that mainstream media, rather than being the cause of undue provocation, works with religious minorities to promote tolerance and mutual understanding of cultural sensitivities."

For further information: Please contact HAF.
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