2006 Achievements - Hindu American Foundation [HAF]

2006 Achievements

HAF Releases Second Annual Hindu Human Rights Report
HAF released its report, Hindus in South Asia & the Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights (2005), detailing the atrocities suffered by Hindus in South Asia, Afghanistan, and Fiji.

On June 27, 2006 HAF released its second annual Hindu Human Rights Report at a press conference co-hosted by Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), senior ranking member of the House International Relations Committee, on Capitol Hill. The 105-page document individually documents over 500 incidents of violence against Hindus in one year in Bangladesh alone. The report garnered support from several members of Congress, various academics, and human rights and religious leaders of diverse faiths. A full copy of the report can be found at http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/reports.htm.

HAF Hires First Full-time Executive Director and Opens DC Office
New Executive Director and DC office help lays HAF’s long-term logistical and physical foundation.

In April 2006, HAF retained Ms. Ishani Chowdhury as its first full-time Executive Director and thereafter in November, HAF opened the first full-time office dedicated to Hindu American affairs in the Washington D.C. metro area. “HAF has fulfilled one of its long-term goals—to bring on a talented, articulate and creative individual—who has the potential to take HAF into the top tier of human rights and faith-based organizations,” said Mihir Meghani, M.D., President of HAF and member of the HAF Board. “HAF has taken its first steps towards establishing a permanent presence in this nation’s capital with an executive director devoted to HAF’s goal of putting forth a professional and credible voice for Hindu Americans.”

HAF’s Voice Strengthened Through CA Textbook Lawsuit
HAF wins lawsuit, but mixed ruling allows contentious textbooks to remain in schools.

In September 2006 HAF prevailed in the suit it filed against the California State Board of Education (SBE) contending that a fair and open process was not followed in adopting textbooks that introduce Hinduism to sixth grades students. In the mixed ruling, Judge Patrick Marlette upheld HAF’s claim that the textbook adoption process was flawed and illegal, but denied the request that the SBE throw out the currently approved textbooks. The HAF complaint alleges that the SBE violated the law when it approved these textbooks that tend to demean, stereotype, and reflect adversely upon Hindus, portray Hinduism as undesirable, hold Hindu beliefs and practices up to ridicule or as inferior, inaccurately describe and characterize Hinduism, and discourage belief in that religious tradition.

Government Education Campaign

HAF Hosts Third Annual Government Outreach and Leadership Conference
HAF hosted two days of meetings with over 25 senators and member of the House of Representatives, Department of Justice, and State Department from September 26-28, 2006. This year’s dinner reception was attended by eight members of Congress who spoke of the achievements of the Hindu and Indian American communities, close to 100 staffers and prominent Hindu Americans. The HAF delegation discussed issues such as human rights, terrorism, and religious liberty in the U.S.

HAF Raises Awareness About Diwali on Capitol Hill
HAF continued to educate lawmakers about Diwali (Deepavali) and House Resolution 548, which was authored by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in November 2005 to recognize the significance of Diwali to Hindus around the world. It obtained the support of close to 40 Congressional members during the last session, and has been reintroduced in 2007 as H. Res 245 by Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Jim McDermott (D-WA).

HAF Joins 150 Organizations in Signing Interfaith Statement
HAF joined numerous national and local faith-based organizations in urging President Bush to enact immigration reform legislation that establishes a humane immigration system consistent with American values and the values espoused by all the diverse faith traditions practiced in the US.

Legal Activism Campaign

HAF Files Amicus Brief Backing Couple’s Right to Shelter Cows
In May 2006, HAF, along with other Hindu, Jain and religious freedom groups, filed an amicus brief expressing concern that local laws were being misused to unfairly discriminate against a couple who kept cows in accordance with the Hindu belief of goraksha (cow protection). “The purpose of HAF's efforts in these proceedings was to ensure true religious freedom for all faiths, including Hinduism,” said HAF Board member Nikhil Joshi, Esq.

HAF Forms Legal Advisory Team
HAF’s Legal Advisory Team, HAFLAT, consists of a voluntary bipartisan team of attorneys representing various religious backgrounds and areas of practice. HAFLAT consults on aspects of the legal process, including ascertaining a Hindu American perspective on issues such as school prayer, legislative prayer and other issues in the separation of church-state context; determining HAF's legal stance on issues such as the representation of Hinduism in school textbooks, internet or media; and weighing the need for HAF to file or sign as an amicus curiae in cases concerning the right to freely practice one's religion.

HAF Co-Signs Amicus Curiae Brief in Case Involving School Prayer in New Jersey
HAF co-signed an amicus curiae brief in Borden v. East Brunswick School District, supporting an appeal of a district court decision ordering a public high school to permit its football coach to pray with his team. The school's football coach often led the team in pre-game prayer. Upon receiving complaints about unconstitutionality of teacher-led prayers, the school asked the coach not to participate in the prayer, leading to his resignation. Along with HAF, the brief was signed by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware; American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Ethical Union, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League and Jewish Policy Action Network.

Media Education Campaign

HAF Releases Reformatted Media Toolkit on Website
The Media Toolkit presents some of the common omissions and oversights in media coverage of Hinduism. Each typical error, derived from actual references in print and broadcast media, is followed by alternative suggestions in an effort to correct these inaccuracies. This document has been well received by academics and members of the media and will continue to serve as an excellent resource for future interactions with members of the media.

HAF Forges Ahead with 56 Press Releases in 2006
HAF’s media team continued its prolific release of timely and issue-specific press releases relevant to the Hindu American community. A total of 56 press releases were issued in 2006 and ten "Letters to the Editor" were sent to media outlets.

HAF Featured in 28,000 News Articles and Blogs
HAF continued to gain prominence in the media, being featured in over 28,000 news articles and blogs. The Fox News, MSNBC, San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor and Washington Post are among the major news outlets that have covered HAF and its projects.

Hindu Human Rights Campaign

HAF Addresses Conference on Religious Cleansing in Bangladesh
In February 2006, a member of HAF addressed the “Sixth International Conference on Religious & Ethnic Cleansing and Terrorism in Bangladesh: The Role of Govt. and Civil Society.” The keynote speaker was Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) who spoke about the human rights violations that minorities in Bangladesh continue to face.

HAF Attends UN Global Youth Leadership Summit
Three members of HAF attend the United Nations Global Youth Leadership Summit in New York, NY in October 2006. The Summit, which was addressed by former Secretary General Kofi Annan, aimed to generate inter-generational dialogue about issues relating to the Millennium Development Goals.

HAF Takes Public Stance Against Caste Discrimination
HAF issued several press releases in condemning caste-based human rights violations and commending initiatives against caste discrimination.

Community Outreach Campaign

HAF Expresses Outrage at Minneapolis Temple Attack
HAF joined Hindu Americans in expressing outrage and shock over the vandalism of the Hindu temple in Minneapolis in April 2006. HAF urged local authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the matter and obtained a statement of support from Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN) that was released by the Foundation.

HAF Continues Hindu Awareness Programs
In 2006, HAF held community outreach programs in Long Island, Jacksonville, Tampa, Houston, Dallas, Sacramento, and Fremont. These programs are designed to promote awareness of Hindu issues and concerns.

HAF Reaches Community Members through Newsletter and Radio Spots
HAF published its new 12-page newsletter in June and October 2006, reaching over 3000 members and contacts. Its radio spots on Dallas/Ft. Worth’s Salaam Namaste program and NY/NJ’s Bharat Darshan program have provided the Foundation with new ways in which to reach communities.

Pluralism Campaign

HAF Represents Hindu Americans at National Day of Prayer
In May 2006, HAF leaders attended a reception hosted by President George W. Bush commemorating the National Day of Prayer at the White House. As the event’s only Hindu attendees, HAF joined approximately 200 invited guests representing various faith-based groups.

HAF Represents Hindus Americans at AAR and DANAM
In November 2006, HAF represented Hindu Americans at the AAR Conference, organizing a booth to distribute information. In conjunction with AAR, Suhag Shukla, Legal Counsel for HAF, presented her paper entitled “Finding Middle Ground” calling for Hindus to definitively express their perspectives of Hinduism at the Dharma Association of North America (DANAM) Conference.

Infrastructure

HAF Rolls Out New Website: www.HAFsite.org
In early 2006, HAF rolled out its new website constructed in-house with an in-house database system and an online payment system. The new website streamlines the member registration process, sells HAF publications, and includes an automated page with recent media articles that mention HAF.

Internships

HAF Hosts Three Successful Interns
The three 2006 interns successfully completed their internship projects that directly aided in the completion of HAF’s Hindu Human Rights Report and construction of HAF’s new website. All three interns continue to remain in direct contact with HAF as well as actively participate in certain areas.