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HAF Needs
YOU! |
HAF provides a voice for
the Hindu American community by interacting
with the government, judiciary, media, think tanks, academia and
public fora about Hinduism and issues of concern to Hindus in
America and around the world.
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HAF Warmly Received by the Council of Hindu Temples of North
America |
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On April 30, 2005, Mr.
Nikhil Joshi, Esq., Board Member of the Hindu American Foundation,
attended the Annual Meeting of the Council of Hindu Temples of North
America. The meeting was hosted by the Hindu Temple of Atlanta. The
Council meeting was attended by nearly 75 individuals representing
various Hindu temples across the United States, including St. Louis;
Chicago; Tampa; Pittsburgh; Columbia, South Carolina, and many other
locations.
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| Nikhil Joshi,
Esq., a member of the HAF Board of Directors meets with
Hanuman Marur, immediate-past Chairman of the Council of Hindu
Temples of North America. |
HAF was invited to speak about HAF and its plans to the Council by
Dr. G.M. Ramappa, immediate past-President of the Council and
current President of the Hindu Temple of Florida (Tampa). Dr.
Ramappa introduced Mr. Joshi to the audience by lauding HAF's
efforts in voicing Hindu American concerns and positions to the
government, courts, Western media, NGOs, and within the academic
setting. "HAF's work is critically important so that the Hindu
community in the U.S. can finally attain the strategic relevance
that is necessary for our community's heritage and traditions to be
sustained in the long-term. HAF needs our support," intoned Dr.
Ramappa.
After the presentation concluded, HAF and the Council pledged to
work together where possible to advance the cause of pluralism in
America. And, the ever-growing support and momentum behind HAF was
again evident in Atlanta as the temple representatives
enthusiastically embraced HAF's vision and invited HAF to stretch
its outreach efforts to the various temples across America.
For further information:
Please
contact HAF.
Support HAF - Click here to become a member |
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HAF to Hold Hindu Awareness Program in Tampa |
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 You
are cordially invited to the
Hindu American Foundation’s
Hindu Awareness Campaign. As you are aware, more than ever before,
there is a tremendous need for Hindus to have a voice in mainstream
America and the global community at large. At this event:
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Learn about HAF and its leadership - founded in
2003 to give voice to 2 million Hindu Americans and exchange views
on how you can participate and contribute.
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Learn about HAF’s goals, objectives, and plans in
fighting hate crimes, discrimination, defamation, and terrorism
against Hindus in
America and all
over the world, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh – the
missing Hindus.
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Learn about HAF’s accomplishments and involvements
at the Supreme Court level, A Congressional reception on Capitol
Hill, the first Hindu Human Rights Report, and more.
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Have your High School/College going sons or
daughters learn about the Hindu community’s need of the hour, and
how they can join HAF in the fight for our cause by attending the
Youth Forum.
Sunday, June 5, 2005 at I.C.C. Lotus Hall
5509 Lynn Road, Tampa, Florida 33624
Youth Forum: For College and High School-Aged Individuals
Only:
2:00 pm – 4:00
pm Presentation by HAF leaders to the next generation of
Hindu American leaders; discussion about involvement opportunities
with HAF and the importance of HAF’s role in serving younger Hindu
Americans. Food and drinks will be served
HAF’s Hindu
Awareness Campaign Event (Open to All):
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Reception
5:30 pm – 7:00
pm Introductions, Formal HAF Presentation and Fundraising
Program
7:00 pm – 8:30
pm Dinner
RSVP by Sunday, May
29. Please call Nikhil Joshi at 813-994-1017 or Nainan Desai at
813-245-8417 |
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HAF Welcomes Censure of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and
Bangladesh in Annual Religious Freedom Report |
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Date:
May 15, 2005
TAMPA, FL: The Hindu American
Foundation (HAF) expressed support over portions of the annual
report released by the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF) last week. The report placed Pakistan
and Saudi Arabia on the Commission’s list of most serious violators
of religious freedom, the “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”
list. Bangladesh was placed on the Commission’s “Watch List” for
nations at risk for placement on the CPC list. These
recommendations were forwarded to the United States Department of
State, which considers them prior to publishing its own CPC list.
HAF particularly appreciated the attention the USCIRF report brought
to the atrocities suffered by Hindus and other minorities in these
countries. The foundation plans to release a report next month on
the status of Hindu human rights in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India’s
State of Jammu and Kashmir for 2004 that will elaborate this issue
beyond the scope of the USCIRF report. HAF previously issued a
condemnation after Saudi religious police destroyed a Hindu temple
and deported worshippers.
“Hindus are victimized today in Bangladesh, both by violent
religiously motivated attacks that have left hundreds dead, and by
prejudicial laws that allow the government to expropriate lands
owned by Hindus,” said Aseem Shukla, M.D., member of the HAF Board
of Directors. “We are pleased that this year’s USCIRF report
mentions these abuses and has placed the Bangladesh government on
the ‘watch list.’”
The HAF report, according to the foundation, lists nearly 400
attacks that took place against Bangladesh’s Hindus in 2004 alone.
“We believe the Bangladesh government should more appropriately be
named a CPC,” said Dr. Shukla. “We sincerely hope that the United
States will follow USCIRF’s recommendations and apply sustained
pressure on the Bangladesh government to ensure justice, safety and
compensation for Hindu victims,” he added.
Pakistan merited serious censure in the USCIRF report as a CPC
country due to Sunni extremist group attacks against Hindus and
Ahmadis, and the use of Islamic blasphemy allegations as an excuse
to torture and terrorize these same groups. Still, HAF members were
disappointed that Pakistan’s sponsorship and support for Islamist
militants that have attacked Hindus throughout the Indian state of
Jammu and Kashmir was overlooked in the report. Nearly 350,000
Kashmiri Hindus are living as refugees in their own country as
Islamist militants have driven them out of their homes.
“HAF fully concurs with the USCIRF recommendation to place Pakistan
on the CPC list; as should the U.S. State Department,” said Sheetal
D. Shah, a member of HAF and its Hindu human rights report
taskforce. “Unfortunately, Pakistan’s historical role in fomenting
terrorism against Hindus in Kashmir—that continues today, albeit at
a smaller scale after sustained international reproach—did not merit
direct mention in the report.”
Dr. Shukla said that HAF’s first report on the status of Hindus in
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir would detail atrocities
in each country where Hindus were targeted specifically for their
religious affiliation. The report will also describe the historical
context that precipitated these attacks, he added.
For further
information:
Please
contact
HAF.
Support HAF - Click here to become a member
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HAF Meets with American Jewish Committee |
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Mihir Meghani, President of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
and Swaminathan Venkataraman, Member of HAF’s Executive Council,
met with representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) on
April 28, 2005. The AJC was represented by Ernie Weiner, Executive
Director of the Northern California region and Kelly Ramot,
Assistant Area Director.
The discussion centered on how HAF and AJC could cooperate to
further the cause of each community. The leaders acknowledged the
shared experiences and values of both communities, including the
small populations in America, relative success in professional
life, deeply held faith and religious beliefs, family values, and
strong connections to the countries from where Hindus and Jews
originated. Also, both communities seek to be treated and
represented fairly and with respect in social institutions.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to have joint programs
later this year to further educate leaders in both communities
about the challenges the other community faces, and to work to
promote tolerance, pluralism, and understanding.
AJC leaders attended HAF’s inaugural launch in Washington, D.C. in
2004 and HAF’s Hindu Awareness Campaign on March 26, 2005 held in
connection with a meeting of the National Executive Council
meeting in Fremont, California.
For further
information:
Please
contact
HAF.
Support HAF - Click here to become a member |
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