Hindu American Foundation (HAF)

In this episode of What's in a Word?, HAF's Samir Kalra and Dr. Vijay Satnarine explore the origins of the term "God." Originally from the old Germanic "got," it evolved from a neutral term meaning "something that receives offerings" into a singular, masculine creator concept influenced by Christian beliefs. This definition contrasts with Hindu views, where divinity is represented by Ishwara (a Supreme Being) and Brahman (the Ultimate Reality), neither confined to a single creator figure. Hindu Dharmas view creation as an emanation from Ishwara, not a finite creation by a singular deity. Dr. Satnarine suggests that "Supreme Being" for Ishwara and "Ultimate Reality" for Brahman are more accurate translations, capturing the expansive, philosophical nature of Hindu beliefs and promoting clearer communication. Watch our complete video from our Youtube channel 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5MmvHp2 and stay tuned for more.

What's in a word? A lot actually. English words like idol, god, and sacrifice are often used—without careful consideration—to translate Sanskrit words common in Hindu Dharmas. In doing so, quite a bit gets lost in translation.  So what can we do about it? Educate! And HAF's Samir Kalra, Esq., and Dr. Vijay Satnarine, our Director of Education, are doing just that in our newest video series, "What's in a Word?" In this series, Samir and Vijay dive into the meanings and histories behind some of these questionable translations. In this next episode of "What's in a Word?", we’re breaking down misconceptions! Samir and Dr. Vijay explore the complex history of the term "IDOL" and why it fails to capture the true essence of Hindu icons like murti and vigraha. Historically, "idol" has been used negatively, often fueling stereotypes and misunderstanding.  So, what's a better alternative? Watch and find out! At HAF, we're changing the way we talk about Hindu Dharmas. Watch our complete episode on our YouTube channel 👉https://lnkd.in/eQrRpQ_g and stay tuned as we tackle more everyday words like "idol," "sacrifice," and "gods" in upcoming episodes!

This past Wednesday, HAF's California Regional Director, Sangeetha Shankar, represented the Hindu American Foundation at "Game Over Hate," a peaceful rally organized by Jewish partners, including StandWithUs and the Bay Area Jewish Council (BAJC), Progressive Zionists of California and One Tribe One Star, outside the Netherlands Consulate in San Francisco. The rally protested the alarming ethnic profiling and violence against Israeli Jews in Amsterdam. Sangeetha highlighted the striking parallels between this incident and ongoing violence against Bangladeshi Hindus, where youth skirmishes are used to justify religious animosity. Sangeetha strongly condemned anti-Semitism, especially in the wake of the horrific October 7th Hamas attacks, and called for safeguarding our cities for travelers of all backgrounds. She concluded with sacred Sanskrit verses advocating for global peace and unity. The rally concluded with community representatives meeting Netherlands Consulate officials to demand justice and stricter action against perpetrators. Together, we must stand against hate and ensure safety for all.

Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti! Today, we honor the legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He stood fearlessly against injustice and inspired a community rooted in compassion, unity, and equality. He rejected all rituals, customs, and hierarchies that served as tools of social disunity, calling out the hypocrisy of the smug and standing up to the most formidable oppressors. Once, he even spoke out against Mughal Emperor Babur, convincing him to release the survivors of a town his army had brutally plundered. Later, he initiated a community of his own, where the marginalized could start afresh, living in peace, harmony, and spiritual fortitude.

What a night! This Sunday, our NorCal team hosted their best and most exciting gala yet, and it was truly one to remember! Organized by HAF’s dynamic Ramya Ramakrishnan and Samir Kalra, Esq., the evening brought together a wonderful crowd who stayed fully engaged, tackling a thrilling Whodunnit mystery while also learning about our foundation's impactful education and advocacy efforts. A special shoutout to our Texas stars, Dr. Priya Pandit and Dr. Rajiv Pandit, whose creativity took the fun factor to new heights! At HAF, we’re always raising the bar, whether in our work or in bringing the community together. If you missed this one-of-a-kind event but want to support our mission, we invite you to donate here https://lnkd.in/g3jYsEKC We were honored to have California elected officials join us, adding their energy and enthusiasm to the night, including: 👉 Raj Salwan, Fremont City Council 👉 Lily Mei, Mayor of Fremont 👉 Darshana Patel, California State Assemblymember 👉 Patrick Ahrens, California Assemblymember-elect 👉 and many more leaders who celebrated and supported HAF’s mission! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible HAF staff, board members, and NLC leaders – Dr. Mihir Meghani, Rajeev Singh, Kaushik Macherla, Tithee Patel, Sangeetha Shankar, Geetika Tandon, and Easan Katír – who made this night possible. And a special thanks to Fred A Stella for his invaluable role in making this gala truly exceptional! Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our work. We look forward to creating many more memorable gatherings that bring us closer to our shared vision.

Thank you all you do Oleg Ivanov, PhD

What’s in a word? A lot actually. English words like idol, god, and sacrifice are often used—without careful consideration—to translate Sanskrit words common in Hindu Dharmas. In doing so, quite a bit gets lost in translation. So what can we do about it? Educate! And HAF’s Samir Kalra, Esq., and Dr. Vijay Satnarine, our Director of Education, are doing just that in our newest video series, “What’s in a Word?”  In this series, Samir and Vijay dive into the meanings and histories behind some of these questionable translations. In this first episode, we’re exploring the word WORSHIP and why it may not fully capture the essence of Puja or Archana in Hindu tradition. Discover the fascinating origins of these terms and the importance of choosing a language that honors the depth of Hindu practices. At HAF, we’re changing the way we talk about Hindu Dharmas. Watch our complete episode on our YouTube channel and stay tuned as we tackle more everyday words like “idol,” “sacrifice,” and “gods” in upcoming episodes! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkj8EWs8

As a new government is formed to lead our country, we share a few aspirations for our nation in the form of sacred verses from our Hindu Dharmas: svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantāṁ nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṁ mahīṣāḥ | gobrāhmaṇebhyaḥ śubham astu nityaṁ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu || Mangalamantra svastyastu viśvasya khalaḥ prasīdatāṁ dhyāyantu bhūtāni śivaṁ mitho dhiyā | manaś ca bhadraṁ bhajatād adhokṣaje āveśyatāṁ no matir apy ahaitukī || Bhāgavata 5.18.9 May all citizens live well. May the leaders of countries care for their people through the path of reason and logic. May we always ensure the welfare of the animals who nourish our bodies, and of the wise people who nourish our minds and hearts. In so doing, may all the different groups of people living here attain happiness and contentment. May there be goodness throughout the multiverse. May all jealous people become calm. May all peoples focus their intelligence on each other's welfare. May our minds experience peace through meditation on that which is beyond human understanding. In this way, may our intellects be fully absorbed in harmonious joy without any selfish motive. https://lnkd.in/dxMZkUeS

Grateful for the Support from the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) As a Rohingya Hindu refugee and human rights defender, I am deeply grateful to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for their continued advocacy on behalf of our community. Their recent letter to the State Department brings much-needed attention to the plight of Rohingya Hindus in Bangladesh, highlighting the dual oppression we face — from the Myanmar military and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (#ARSA). This letter addresses critical issues, such as the need for a dedicated food distribution center within our camp to ensure our safety, the urgent expansion of our overcrowded camp to house new arrivals, and the demand for equal access to education and employment opportunities. These are not just necessities but lifelines for our survival and dignity. I have attached the advocacy letter here, and I urge everyone to take a moment to read it and understand our reality. An Important Clarification About Our Community When people hear the name "Rohingya," most assume it refers only to the #Muslim community. This is a widespread misconception. The Rohingya community is diverse and includes #RohingyaHindu and #RohingyaChristian members as well. We all share a common history of persecution, suffering, and a desperate need for safety and justice. Yet, our voices — especially those of the Rohingya Hindu and Christian minorities — are often overlooked in international advocacy efforts. I call upon other human rights organizations and global advocacy groups to stand with us, just as the HAF has done. We need comprehensive support that addresses the needs of ALL Rohingya, regardless of religious background. Our community’s struggle is not just a matter of religious identity but one of human rights and survival. Our Struggles Continue Our community has endured unimaginable hardships. In 2017, over 100 Rohingya Hindus were brutally massacred by ARSA in northern Rakhine State. This atrocity remains well-documented by international organizations but has yet to see justice served. Even now, Rohingya Hindu families in the #CoxsBazar camps live with constant fear and uncertainty, facing daily challenges to access food, shelter, and basic human rights. The Hindu American Foundation’s letter is a step toward making our suffering visible and urging decisive action from global powers. But we need more voices, more organizations, and more people to join this fight for justice. A Call to Action To my connections and everyone reading this: Please amplify our message. Share our story. Advocate for the safety and rights of ALL Rohingya people. The world needs to know that we, the Rohingya Hindus and Christians, exist and that our voices matter. Let’s unite for a better future. Together, we can create change. #EndImpunity #JusticeForRohingya #StopGenocide #GlobalAction #RohingyaRights Link to the Advocacy Letter: https://lnkd.in/gKk_NHi6

This year, as we lit our diyas on Diwali (and Halloween!), remember to cast our vote on Election Day—it’s our dharma! #dharmavotes #diwali2024 #electionday2024 #electionday