Seychelles Temple Celebrates 12th Anniversary
SourceSEYCHELLES, April 23, 2004: As part of its activities to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Hindu Temple in Seychelles, the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam will be organizing a series of religious celebrations on Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24, at the temple on Quincy Street for Hindu devotees and members of the general public. All the religious observations…
Religious Symbols Explained, Including the Swastika
SourceKANSAS CITY, KANSAS, May 1, 2004: Saturday, May 01, 2004: This story in the Kansas City Star begins, “Show an empty cross to most Christians at Easter and their minds will go to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a powerful symbol. But some American Indians may see a symbol similar to a cross and think of the…
Denver Post Column Draws Criticism
SourceDENVER, COLORADO, April 28, 2004: A column by Pius Kamau in the Denver Post has drawn criticism from Indian Americans as “racist.” Pius is from Kenya, of African descent, a surgeon, and columnist for the Post. His column (“source” above), titled “A History of Racial Tension” reads in part: Some new Indian doctors have been arriving in Colorado, the “whitest”…
In a Time of War, She Teaches Value of Nonviolence
SourcePOMONA, CALIFORNIA, April 25, 2004: Tara Sethia was raised in the faith tradition of Jainism, a religion that has stressed ahimsa, or nonviolence, since its founding 2,600 years ago in her native India. But living in the United States, she says, she found that belief neglected and often misunderstood. “History books always explain change in terms of war, as if…
Canadians Turn Out For Laughter Classes
SourceVANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, April 25, 2004: Louise Ayotte is attracted to people who laugh loud and a lot, so she signed up for three hours of heavy breathing, face-making and laughing in Dr. Madan Kataria’s class on how to unleash more contagious giggles. Kataria is a Bombay physician who’s making a tour of Canada to train aspiring laughter coaches. A…
Subcontinent Rivers in Trouble from Global Warming
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, April 30, 2004: With the historical River Indus showing telltale signs of going dry in the near future, Pakistan may witness an acute water crisis in a few decades, according to an international team of glacier scientists. This would happen because of excessive melting of Himalayan glaciers that feed the Indus. As a result, for the next…
Maharashtra Government Rejects Author’s Apology on Shivaji Book
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, April 30, 2004: The Maharashtra government today rejected historian James Laine’s apology for his controversial book on the legendary Maratha warrior Shivaji. The state said in court today that it would press criminal charges against the author despite his assurance that he would edit those references to Shivaji and his mother Jijabai that various groups have found objectionable…
Malaysian Religious Leaders Irked by Decision On Conversion Case
SourceMALAYSIA, April 14, 2004: Two religious groups strongly criticized the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision yesterday to throw out an application by a mother to nullify the conversion of her two children to Islam, reports this article. Shamala Sathyaseelan had sought a declaration to have the conversion of her children, aged three and two, declared null and void as it…
Malayasia Hindu Sangam Full Statement
MHSKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, April 14, 2004: The following is the full statement released by Datuk A. Vaithilingam, President of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, in relation to the above decision. The Malaysia Hindu Sangam is deeply concerned with the decision of Yang Arif Justice Dato’ Faiza bin Hj Thamby Chik on April 13, 2004, the Hindu Tamil New Year, in the…