Source: Indo-Asian News Service

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/919_589732,001800010001.htm

On February 27, 2004 Indo-Asian News Service reported, "Some Indians are dismayed at Tina Turner essaying the role of the Hindu goddess Durga in Ismail Merchant's latest film, saying her pop star image is anything but divine. At the centre of the protests is Chicago businessman Avi Verma, who says he is an avid devotee of Durga. Verma, president of the Jai...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3488346.stm

On February 26, 2004 the BBC News reported, "A right wing Hindu organisation in India has strongly denied allegations that it misused money raised from charities in the UK. The denial follows allegations by a British campaign group that activists loyal to the Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh (RSS) siphoned off relief money. An RSS spokesman described the allegations as false and baseless. The RRS and other...

Source: Evening Telegraph

Source: Market Wire

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=63725

On February 26, 2004 Market Wire reported, "The Interfaith Sacred Space International Design Competition today announced four winning entries in the first competition in the history of religion designed specifically to identify concepts for truly interfaith sacred space. The competition's goal is to encourage creation of spaces designed for use by peoples of all faiths, as a...

Source: Christianity Today

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/003/18.26.html

On February 25, 2004 Christianity Today reported, "A fact-finding team of four U.S. congressmen has raised hopes among Indian Christian leaders fighting persecution. After a weeklong tour in January requested by Indian Christians, Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.) expressed shock at the persecution. We are touched by the suffering of the Christian and Muslim minorities at the hands of Hindu...

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/nyc-reli0225,0,4635957.story

On February 24, 2004 Newsday reported on the reactions by Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Christians to Mel Gibson's "The Passion." Rajeesh Persaud, a Hindu who is seven years out of his native Guyana,notes in the article that "nobody should speak against another's religion. I would hope Mr. Mel Gibson would not make people become intolerant."Hassan Numan, a...

Source: Reuters

[reuters.com/newsPhotoPresentation.jhtml?type=topNews&imageID=1000987265]

On February 23, 2004 Reuters reported, "A Sikh priest, a father, a Muslim priest and a Hindu priest [stood] before the ceremony of the foundation stone-laying for an all faiths complex by the Indian army, in Srinagar...The stone was laid by Lt. Gen. Hari Prasad for soldiers from different beliefs, cultures, religions and strata of society which form cohesive working units in the sprit of camaraderie and esprit de corps, an Indian...

Source: Hamilton Spectator

On February 21, 2004 the Hamilton Spectator reported, "When the Hindu Samaj Temple was destroyed in a case of hate-inspired arson after 9/11, the whole community suffered from the loss of a place to worship. Shortly after the calamity, the community pulled together and formed an organization called Strengthening Hamilton Community Initiative. The mission of the organization is to create harmony among the minorities of the city. Recently Police Chief Brian Mullan attended a meeting of the Initiative, and this is when he found out...

Source: Queens Chronicle

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10995578&BRD=1862&PAG=461&dept_id=152512&rfi=6

On February 19, 2004 Queens Chronicle reported, "The president of the Holliswood Civic Association and the Building Committee chairman of the Vaishnava Temple of New York agreed to a compromise at last week’s Community Board 8 meeting that would allow the religious institution to expand while addressing concerns...

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/00318191560.htm

On February 18, 2004 The Hindu reported, "Sri Lanka's Buddhist monks, who won a place in history by entering an all-clergy list of candidates of a political party, today said they hoped to become the country's new king-makers by displacing Tamils. 'With the kind of numbers of Buddhists in the country, we should at least in theory have the possibility of becoming the main decisive power,'...

Source: KeralaNext.com

http://www.keralanext.com/news/index.asp?id=26983

On February 18, 2004 KeralaNext.com ran an Indo-Asian News Service article that reported, "Patna, Buddhist monks have reiterated their demand that the management of the Mahabodhi Temple, at Buddhism's birthplace in the Bihar town of Bodh Gaya, be handed over to them. 'The government should first hand over the management to us,' said a senior monk, Priya Pal. This time, the claim has come when...

Source: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_574069,001600060001.htm

On February 16, 2004 the Hindustan Times reported, "South African Hindus chanted hymns and walked the streets of the largely Indian township of Lenasia for Shivratri, but there were complaints that the annual procession was becoming divided on linguistic lines. The annual Mahashivratri Yatra took place in Lenasia, south of here, on Sunday. Despite the huge turnout, a...

Source: Sunday Times

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/2004/02/15/news/durban/ndbn13.asp

On February 15, 2004 the Sunday Times reported, "The Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa has invited President Thabo Mbeki to be the guest of honour at its first Raam and Hari bhajan festival, writes Taschica Pillay. The festival, to be held at the Chatsworth Stadium from 5pm on Saturday until 6am on Sunday, will feature Raam bhajan groups, Hari bhajan groups and Kollatum...

Source: The Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_569420,00050001.htm

On February 12, 2004 The Hindustan Times reported, "After much controversy, a Hindu couple in the US have been permitted to fly a religious flag in front of their home as long as it is kept hidden behind some foliage. Chola and Leila Persaud, residents of Rivermill Development in Lake Worth, Florida, have been allowed to fly the flag by the homeowners' association there. The...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35408-2004Feb12.html?nav%3Dheadlines

On February 12, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "Hindu nationalists who claim they are fighting against Western cultural influence have threatened to shave young lovers' heads and beat them if they exchange Valentine's Day cards and gifts. Valentine's Day, which falls on Saturday, has in recent years gained popularity in...