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DATE: May 5,
2004
WASHINGTON, DC -
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) formally
launched with a dinner reception in the U.S. Capitol on May
5, 2004. The event marked the first time that an organization
interacted with members of the United States Congress with
the purpose of furthering understanding of Hinduism and promoting
its ethos of tolerance and pluralism. Hosted by Rep.
David Dreier (R-CA), special guests included the
co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian
Americans, Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), who attended the
reception with many other members of Congress and their staff.
HAF President, Dr.
Mihir Meghani, introduced, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
of the Art of Living Foundation, to the attendees as an ambassador
of Hinduism’s spiritual assets. “HAF considers
it an honor that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is blessing this occasion
as he personifies the Hindu values so relevant today—peace
and tolerance,” remarked Dr. Meghani.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
addressed the audience emphasizing the need for an organization
such as HAF today. “Honoring diversity and the concept
of one world family is the very breath of Hinduism. Liberty,
assimilation and pluralism are the salient features of both
American and Hindu cultures,” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
said. He added, “To combat the ills of society, leaders
from the fields of spirituality, politics and business must
work together and I am confident that HAF will play a vital
role in bridging the gaps in society, both at home here and
in the international arena.”
“I am delighted
to help inaugurate the first ever reception on Capitol Hill
by a Hindu American group, the Hindu American Foundation,
and to welcome Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, India’s great spiritual
and humanitarian leader, to our nation’s capital,”
said Rep. Dreier. The attendance of many
Congressional leaders was a reflection of the rising numbers
and growing contributions of Hindu Americans throughout the
United States. Rep. Dreier stated, “The
Hindu American community is contributing to America in many
ways as it becomes a force for tolerance and pluralism in
our society. I am pleased to have been invited to sponsor
this reception.”
The evening reception followed
a full day of individual meetings with members of Congress.
HAF members met with over a dozen legislators and discussed
various issues of concern to Hindu Americans. Policy briefs,
prepared by HAF, discussing issues including terrorism and
human rights violations against Hindus in Pakistan, Bangladesh
and India’s Jammu and Kashmir state, as well as domestic
concerns, such as separation of Church and State, were presented.
Additionally, HAF presented material about Hinduism, Hindu
demographics, and Hindu contributions to the world, as brief
introductions to the Hindu diaspora. HAF offered itself as
a resource to government officials for input from the growing,
politically informed Hindu American constituency in the United
States. HAF identified liaisons in each office that will enable
direct communication of Hindu American concerns and interests
directly to their representatives in government.
“These meetings represented
the first time that a delegation of Hindu Americans met with
government officials solely to ensure recognition, understanding
and support for Hindu Americans as an empowered, vocal and
politically aware constituency,” said Sheetal
Shah, HAF Government Outreach Coordinator.
The recently formed Hindu
American Foundation (HAF) is a human rights group whose purpose
is to provide a voice for the 2 million strong Hindu American
community. HAF interacts with and educates government, media,
think tanks, academia and public fora about Hinduism and issues
of concern to Hindus locally and globally. Promoting the Hindu
and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism,
HAF stands strong against hate, discrimination, defamation
and terror.
For further
information: Please contact
HAF.
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