Source: The Washington Post

On November 19, 2001, The Washington Post reported that Hindus from the area gathered at a Temple in Beltsville, MD to celebrate Diwali. "There are more than 800 million Hindus in the world and 75,000 in the Washington area, primarily Indian Americans and Indians. Hitesh Patel, spokesman for the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, or sanctuary, in Beltsville, said the celebration is a time for those of the Hindu faith to reflect and set goals in the same way that Christians mark the New Year...'This is a time when we come together and...

Source: The Boston Globe

On November 19, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that the Somerville, MA South Asian Center hosted a Diwali celebration "inside a tent at the Assembly Square Mall parking lot...Though the event is a Hindu holiday commemorating the epic hero Ramas's victorious return from exile, its organizers hope it sent a message of unity...The South Asian Center, a volunteer organization founded last December, is hosting a similar festival next month for the Muslim holiday Eid." Somerville is home to a large South Asian community; "a recent survey...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 17, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that to celebrate Diwali "more than 2,000 of the faithful gathered...at Valley Hindu Temple to light ritual fires, recite prayers for peace and offer food to Lord Krishna...After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the temple hosted a candlelight vigil and peace rally, temple officials said...'Even though our origin is in India, we have adopted this country as our home,' Kadam Shodhan said before the ceremony. 'We pray that the New Year will bring peace and prosperity to this country...

Source: The Boston Globe

On November 14, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that "Indra Prasad-Milowe is preparing for the Hindu festival of lights, called Diwali ...'Everyone opens their homes, everyone forgives and forgets,' says Prasad-Milowe. Her family gives money to charities and they "light lamps of unity and brotherhood to make the world happy'...The festival honors Lakshimi, a Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. According to the myth, on the third day of this five-day festival, Lakshimi descends to Earth to visit places that are lit and clean,...

Source: The Star Press

http://www.thestarpress.com/Local_News/1114faith.html

On November 14, 2001, The Star Press reported, "Tragedy brings varied faiths together." It reported on a gathering of local Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus: "The Muncie Interfaith Roundtable event was the first time in recent years that members of such varied religions in Muncie [IN] had gathered to share their beliefs and feelings about current events. This time they had good reason to...

Source: The Hartford Courant

On November 12, 2001, The Hartford Courant reported that "Indian graduate students from the University of Hartford are working with members of a Hindu temple in Middletown to share their celebration, called Diwali...Diwali represents a cross-section of the diverse elements of Indian culture...In the past, the program for Diwali has been designed to appeal to an Indian audience, but the focus has changed...This year, organizers wanted to create more of a multicultural event...Local dignitaries have been invited to attend, and...

Source: The Hartford Courant

On November 12, 2001, The Hartford Courant reported that "many Indians in the state and region are members of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society, which runs the temple on Training Hill Road [in Middletown, CT]. They have been channeling their efforts [for victims of the terror attacks] through the society. A fund-raiser last month brought in nearly $20,000. The society is coordinating its efforts with other Indian organizations in the state and plan to make a combined donation to the American Red Cross that they hope...

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On November 11, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution featured an article on "Atlanta couples where one partner is Muslim and the other is of a different faith. In interviews with four such couples, all said the events of Sept. 11 had a profound influence on their relationships. They've questioned each other about their cultures. Two couples said the attacks have brought them closer."

Source: Portsmouth Herald

http://www.seacoastonline.com/2001news/11_8living_a.htm

On November 8, 2001 the Portsmouth Herald published an article detailing the history and central tenants of Hinduism as explained by local members of the Indian Association of New Hampshire and the University of New Hampshire Indian Student Association. The article also covered the local activities surrounding the Hindu festival of Diwali, or "Festival of Lights."

Source: Outlook India

Source: Masala.com

On October 22, 2001 Masala.com featured the article "Self-Defense vs. Divisive Politics: South Asians disagree over need to differentiate themselves from targeted groups." The article noted, "As reports of bias attacks against Muslims, Arabs and South Asians started trickling in, some community leaders began advocating self-preservation in places of worship, at vigils and other public forums. Some Hindu leaders reportedly advised South Asian women to wear bindis so they would not be mistaken for Arabs. A television ad sponsored by a Sikh...

Source: USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2001/10/17/tech-visa-worker-woes.htm

On October 17, 2001, USA TODAY reported "Tech visa workers feel heat from attacks, layoffs." The article notes that "It's a tense time for...Asian and Middle Eastern workers in the United States on H-1B visas. They came in large numbers in recent years to fill high-tech jobs. Many came from India, and they are predominately Hindus. But tensions �...

Source: The New Haven Register

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2505679&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=7576&rfi=6

On October 17, 2001, The New Haven Register featured the article "City filmmakers aiming to educate." The article noted that Aashish Kumar and Abha Adhiya have been working on a documentary about hate crimes, begun last summer, which will now be expanded to include the incidents that followed September 11.

Source: Amnesty International

http://www.web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/recent/ACT300282001?OpenDocument

On October 4, 2001, Amnesty International issued the press release, "Caught in the backlash: Human rights under threat worldwide in aftermath of September 11 attacks." The release cites a report by Amnesty International, which voices concerns about civil rights around the world and states, "Mosques, Hindu temples and community centres have been attacked and...

Source: Newsday

On October 1, 2001, Newsday reported that "Hundreds of Queens residents gathered...for a solemn and, at times, spirited multifaith service honoring World Trade Center victims. Reflecting the borough's diversity, representatives of virtually every major global religion delivered remarks, including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist."