Source: Dallas Morning News

On March 29, 2003 the Dallas Morning News reported that Asha Nair, 18, "will perform in 'Sri Krishna Parijatham' at Carpenter Performance Hall in Irvine [TX]... The dance drama tells the story of Lord Krishna's two wives, Satyabhama and Rukhmini (played by Ms. Nair), who argue when the Hindu god bestows a precious flower upon Rukhmini. The message; Arrogance ultimately never triumphs. 'The story shows that when you pray to Krishna, you must pray with a wholehearted, pure soul'... An honor student and devotee at D/FW Hindu Temple...

Source: The Tri-Valley Herald

http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86~10669~1274448,00.html

On March 27, 2003 The Tri-Valley Herald reported that "in an attempt to curb backlash against Arabs and South Asians as America's war with Iraq continues, police and city leaders issued a joint statement Wednesday saying they will not tolerate hate crimes... Police chiefs from Fremont, Union City and Newark [CA] said all crimes committed against...

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/114153_tl126.shtml]

On March 26, 2003 the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that "McDonald's has 30 days to make payments, after a Chicago judge yesterday approved a final list of 23 vegetarian, Hindu, kosher and children's organizations that will split $10 million from the global hamburger hawker... Three Seattle residents -- a Hindu, a Sikh and a non-Hindu vegetarian -- were named plaintiffs in the suit and will receive $4,000 each, according to Seattle...

Source: Malibu Times

http://www.malibutimes.com/display/inn_news/news3.txt

On March 26, 2003 the Malibu Times reported that "as the United States-led invasion of Iraq continues, several of Malibu's religious leaders are addressing the war publicly with their congregations. All agree that any war is an unfortunate occurrence and must only be used as a last resort, and all are praying daily for a quick end to the conflict and for minimum casualties on both sides....

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On March 24, 2003 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that "[Thomas] Laird is the father of Paul Laird, one of two teens charged hours before with felonies in attacks on the temple that had left the faithful and the police trying to figure out what anybody had against Hindus... It was nothing personal, Laird told [Jiwan Singla, a member of the temple], blaming the effects of alcohol - not religious hatred - for driving his son and friend Nathaniel Conner. The elder Laird apologized, and left the building sobbing... 'There is...

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/la-me-sublopez23mar23,0,5305794.column

On March 23, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported that "they've been gathering every Friday morning at 7 o'clock since Sept. 11, 2001, trying to keep the world from unraveling... Muslim and Jew, Hindu and Christian, Buddhist and Sufi, one of these and one of those. It's a Los Angeles crowd, for sure, and a nice idea... Love, peace, common ground... this flock of clergy and...

Source: Democrat and Chronicle

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0319story2_news.shtml

On March 19, 2003 Democrat and Chronicle reported that "the near certainty of war with Iraq raised hard questions and deep worries here Tuesday, perhaps especially with those who have cultural and ethnic links to the Middle East... At the University of Rochester [NY], sophomore Akshina Samtani questioned the need for war... 'I do understand we’re dealing with...

Source: India Abroad

On March 14, 2003 India Abroad reported that "Three attacks on temples-- two on the Hindu Temple of St. Louis Missouri, and one on the Hindu Temple of Kansas City in Shawnee, Kansas-- have worried the Indian community in the United States. While the damage was negligible, the fear is not. The police and FBI are looking into the attacks. The police in St. Louis feel the attacks could be hate crimes. After a second firebomb attack February 28, six days after the first one, the St. Louis temple appointed a former police officer for...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On March 14, 2003 The Columbus Dispatch reported that "the Jewish holiday of Purim and the Hindu festival of Holi will be celebrated next week. Christianity's Holy Hilarity Sunday will follow on April 27, a week after most believers observe Easter... In Purim, which begins at sundown Monday and runs through sundown Tuesday, comedy masks pain. The holiday commemorates how the Jews in ancient Persia survived a genocidal plot by Haman, royal adviser to King Ahasuerus... playfulness is exhibited in the festival Holi (pronounced...

Source: The Beacon News

On March 7, 2003 The Beacon News reported that "the dream of thousands of worshippers at Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple of Greater Chicago will become reality this weekend, with the opening of a $2 million, 13,500-square-foot temple expansion... V. Nityanandam, a member of the building committee, said the addition is needed because of the growing number of worshipers at the temple... Skilled, specially trained artisans, called Silpies, had been scheduled to come to Aurora from India this month to complete the exterior of the...

Source: Appeal-Democrat

On March 7, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that "Raj Narayan Pathak and his wife, Rama Pathak, are visiting from Germany and are proud to make preparations for the seventh annual anniversary of the Sri Narayan Hindu Temple on Franklin Road in Yuba City [CA]... Saturday, the community is invited to join the anniversary celebration and pray for peace around the world, Pathak said. The Pooja/Havan will begin at 9 a.m. Pathak plans to lead his audience in prayer and giving offerings to the gods. Songs and chants are also planned... A...

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/119/story_11957_1.html

On March 7, 2003 Beliefnet reported that "a car puja is a Hindu ceremony blessing an automobile to keep it from bad influences and to bless it in God's name. Hindus often perform pujas for items used in daily life: houses, motor vehicles, and sometimes home appliances. People try to do the puja before using the item, or as soon as possible after purchase. Puja details may vary from pujari (Hindu...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/world/5313577.htm

On March 4, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "security is being stepped up for a Hindu temple that was firebombed twice in a week and federal agents are trying to determine if the attacks were youthful mischief or hate-fueled religious bigotry... No one was injured by the attacks that slightly damaged the Hindu Temple of St. Louis on Feb. 23 and last Saturday. The...

Source: The Omaha World-Herald

On March 4, 2003 The Omaha World-Herald reported that "West Omaha is undergoing a wave of religious building as churches expand to match the suburban population growth and a demand for better facilities... More than $ 25 million has been committed to projects either finished in recent years or under way. The cost of further expansions and new houses of worship in high-profile suburban locations could easily surpass $ 50million... The rate of construction is a strong sign of progress in Omaha, considering the current economic...

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Many-faiths-hold-service-to-deter-war-2-000-2666186.php

On March 3, 2003 the San Francisco Chronicle reported that "nearly...