Hamilton Spectator
HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA, February 21, 2004: 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 that the Hindu community needed help in fundraising so that they can build a new temple. The Chief and several other police officers organized a barbecue and silent auction to help raise funds. Bhagwan Das Gulati, treasurer of the Hindu community in Hamilton, says, “When our temple burnt down, the community was really, really down. And still the community is having a hard time because for two years we still do not have a place to worship.” The article says, “Costs for the building alone are estimated at $1.3 million and this does not include life-size figures of the Deities called “murtis” which will each have their own shrines. Tomorrow, Gulati will travel to India to design the deities that will be going into the shrines. He will have them manufactured and sent to Canada. President of the community, Pran Khindri, adds, “We have had very good cooperation from the community, especially from the minorities who are trying to bring harmony to our city.” Kathryn King, project manager for the Initiative, says, “This is the only program of its kind in Canada and possibly around the world.” Gerald Fisher, executive director of the Hamilton Jewish Federation, who attended the fundraiser says, “We share the planet and that means an attack on one is an attack on us all. This means that we all have to stand against such attacks.” Well-wishers can send donations to: Hindu Samaj Temple of Hamilton, PO Box 299, Mount Hope, ON L0R 1W0, Canada. Phone number is (905) 679-6935.