Hindu Leaders’ Statements on Attacks on America

Source: Hinduism Today KAUAI, HAWAII, USA, September 25, 2001: The following are excerpts from statements of Hindu leaders received by Hinduism Today magazine on the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. Sri Pramukhswami Maharaj: “In this hour of need, grief and deep shock, our prayers, support and solidarity are with the people of the United States. We offer our deepest…

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New Head Priest for Guruvayur Temple

Source: The Hindu GURUVAYUR, INDIA, September 24, 2001: Mr. Thekkedath Kuruthully Kesavan Namboodiri of Kumaranalloor in Palakkad district was chosen as Melsanthi, head priest, of the Sree Krishna Temple here today. The temple is one of the most popular and richest in India. Mr. Kesavan Namboodiri was chosen from among 26 applicants through a draw of lots held at the…

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Tirupati Temple Stampede Injures Three

Source: The Hindu TIRUMALA, INDIA, September 25, 2001: Three devotees were injured, one of them seriously, in the stampede that took place at the conclusion of the auspicious Garuda Seva festival on Monday night. There was a heavy congregation of pilgrims at the Vahana mandapam where the festival was to conclude, situated in the vicinity of the main temple complex.…

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Pope Expresses Respect for Islam

GO TO SOURCE ASTANA, KAZAKSTAN, September 25, 2001: According to this Associated Press report, Pope John Paul II said Monday that the Catholic Church respects “authentic Islam,” making the distinction between it and the fanaticism that some fear will stigmatize the religion in the wake of the U.S. attacks. The report says the pope traveled to the country “to strengthen…

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Hindu Among President’s Religious Advisors

Source: Religion News Service WASHINGTON, D.C., September 21, 2001: Just before giving his speech to the joint session of the US Congress yesterday, President Bush met with an unprecedented array of leaders from across the religious spectrum in the Oval Office on Thursday and prayed for peace, wisdom and strength as America prepares for a war against terrorism. More than…

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Hindus and Sikhs Face Uncertain Future in Afghanistan

GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, September 20, 2001: The tiny Sikh and Hindu communities in Afghanistan face an uncertain future as the U.S. appears ready to launch military strikes in that country. According to representatives of the Afghan Sikh refugee community in the Indian capital, most of their relatives in Afghanistan had left their home and were living in…

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Low-Caste Hindus Enter Rajasthan Temple

GO TO SOURCE RAJASTHAN, INDIA, September 21, 2001: Over 1,000 lower caste Hindus, known as Dalits, have broken an age-old taboo banning their entry into Indian temples. The Dalit members went into a temple in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The lower caste villagers say this was the first time they dared to enter the temple freely and it…

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California Moves to Ban Bedis

Source: India West SACRAMENTO, USA, September 21, 2001: Senator Deborah Ortiz, Democrat for Sacramento, drafted a measure that would allow the sale of “bidis” only in bars and other businesses that do not allow minors to enter. Bidis, made from the flakes and dust of dark tobacco, are hand rolled, filterless cigarettes that often come in a variety of candy-like…

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Appeal to HPI Readers

GO TO SOURCE KAUAI, HAWAII, September 21, 2001: Hindu Press International requests its readers to send to us at “source” above any statements made about the September 11 attacks on America by Hindu religious leaders. We are collecting these as well as forwarding them on to world news organizations, in an effort to get the Hindu response to these events…

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Death of 250 Indians Confirmed in Attacks

Source: UNI NEW DELHI, INDIA, September 19, 2001: With India virtually confirming the death of about 250 of its citizens and people of Indian origin, in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the government today announced that Air India will provide free transportation of their ashes or mortal remains to Delhi and Mumbai. Similarly, the Indian Airlines…

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