Source: Independent

Source: Newhouse News Service

http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/okeefe120503.html

On December 5, 2003 The Newhouse News Service published an articled collecting responses from leaders of various faith traditions to President Bush's recent comments that Muslims and Christians "worship the same god." The article finds that representatives from several faiths, such as Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam itself, find Bush's comments to be on target. For example,...

Source: The Contra Costa Times

[bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/news/7420349.htm]

On December 5, 2003 The Contra Costa Times reported that the Shiva-Vishnu Temple will invite people from throughout the Bay Area to join them in this year's Geeta Jayanti celebration. The Temple has been working with the Tri-Valley Interfaith Council to invite area churches, in an attempt for "all the religions to come closer together and feel more comfortable with each other."

Source: Houston Channel 11 News

[khou.com/news/local/stories/khou031130_ds_ArsonInvestigation_.5a243d41.html]

On December 2, 2003 Houston Channel 11 News reported on the fires targeting Hindu homes that have been sweeping the Houston area. Raju Shah, whose home has been set fire to twice in the last four months, and three other arson victims all worship at a Hindu temple in southwest Houston, where concern is running high. "These days an important message is presented alongside the prayer. The faithful are warned every day...

Source: The Associated Press

[click2houston.com/news/2672889/detail.html]

On December 1, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "almost a dozen fires have destroyed homes of Hindus and others, with a two-county task force investigating the suspected arson spree, and members of the religious community nervous about future attacks.

Federal, county and city investigators are reviewing evidence in the blazes that have occurred over the past six months.

The fact that victims have included Hindus suggests that the...

Source: The Houston Chronicle

[chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2260912]

On November 30, 2003 The Houston Chronicle published an article on the Maheshwaris, a Hindu minority from the Indian state of Rajasthan who are using modern technology to matchmake and keep their culture alive. Young Hindus in Houston are logging onto the Web site Maheshwari Online, which offers a worldwide Maheshwari registry and Maheshwari matchmaking. According to the Chronicle, "about 500 Maheshwari families live in the United States,...

Source: Metro West

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/ashl_vandalism1272003.htm

On November 27, 2003 Metro West reported that "an Ashland teen faces more than a decade in jail if he is convicted of spray painting hate messages on a Hindu temple in Ashland on Halloween.

Anthony Picciolo, 17, of 15 Roberts Road was released without bail by Judge Paul Healy at his arraignment yesterday in Framingham District Court....

Source: Tri-Valley Herald

http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86~10671~1791712,00.html

On November 26, 2003 the Tri-Valley Herald reported that a live vocal concert and a free international vegetarian dinner will be held this Thanksgiving at Badarikashrama, a Hindu spiritual and cultural center in Ashland. "Swami Omkarananda, 65, who founded the center in 1984, plans to lead a special prayer for world peace and prosperity at 3 p.m.,...

Source: The Middletown Press

Source: The New Indian Express

Source: Yahoo! News

Source: India Abroad

[indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=1154]

On November 21, 2003 India Abroad reported, "There have been more incidents of discrimination and bias-related harassment of South Asians, Arabs and Muslims in the city since September 11 than has been reported, a New York City Commission of Human Rights report reveals. Last month, the commission released its first report on such incidents: 'Discrimination against Muslims, Arabs and South Asians in New York City since 9/11.' It was based...

Source: Silicon India

[siliconindia.com/magazine/fullstory.asp?aid=DBV305482316]

On November 20, 2003 Silicon India published an editorial by Aditi Banerjee examining what it means to be a Hindu-American. She reports that "the new immigrants who are coming from India are identifying themselves not as members from a particular region, but as members of an increasingly unified nation. They are more apt to celebrate Diwali than Kali Puja when both celebrations fall on the same weekend. They are more likely to talk to their...

Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1088790,00.html

On November 20, 2003 The Guardian (UK) reported, "A radical Hindu political party in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, which is a key ally of the country's ruling party, is encouraging Hindus to have more children because of fears of a Muslim population explosion...'We will honour these couples [with five or more children] at a special function next month...

Source: Indo Link

[indolink.com/News/NRI/news_111803-220013.php]

On November 19, 2003 Indo Link reported on a new book by Washington Post journalist S. Mitra Kalita on the lives of Indian Immigrants in America. “Suburban Sahibs: Three Immigrant Families and Their Passage from India to America” examines the lives of families who immigrated to Middlesex County, New Jersey. Middlesex County is home to one of the largest Indian communities in the country. S. Mitra Kalita was herself born in Brooklyn to immigrants from Assam,...