God & Country

Video: Obama's Diwali Message

October 19, 2009 RSS Feed Print

By Dan Gilgoff, God & Country

The White House has posted video of President Obama's message on Diwali, the pan-Indian holiday celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. Interesting that most of Obama's direct messages to foreign populations—his public diplomacy—appear to revolve around religious outreach.

There was his Cairo speech to the Muslim world in May. A videotaped Ramadan message in August. Now this.

Also worth noting: The Times of India said George W. Bush launched the White House's Diwali observation, but the Obama White House blog says last week's observance "marked the first time that an American President has observed the holiday."

Tags:
religion

Reader Comments Read all comments (12)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

we people are expecting something or other words change will come up to us it's exceptional cases ever happened history .i like president thought .which able to creats wider space in our mind it's really good proceed of peace and change.

Dinesh GC of VA 6:14AM October 22, 2009

Diwali:

A four-day festival, falling in October-November, celebrated by displaying lights and worshiping Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Deuteronomy 23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity (the worlds) all thy days for ever.

A true believer will not be worshipping fake gods/goddesses or be focusing on anything worldly.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

just me of KY 5:21PM October 21, 2009

Diwali is the the Hindu Festival of Lights which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness or good over evil.

For the people who think negative thoughts about the way people pray if different from their way of prayer, may the darkness be dispelled from your life and may you be enlightened with the knowledge to appreciate religions for what they are--A way of life, to live and worship as you please.

My greetings goes out to everyone on this very beautiful festival bringing peace, health, happiness, and prosperity to all.

Di of FL 8:34AM October 21, 2009

God & Country

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Now!

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

Dan Gilgoff covers religion for U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War, and is a former politics editor at beliefnet. E-mail Dan at godandcountry@usnews.com.

Is increasing access to healthcare a moral or faith-based cause?

View Results

BLOG ROLL

Follow Dan Gilgoff on: Facebook | Twitter | MySpace

Photo Gallery

Faith Photo of the Day

See what's going on in the faith world across the globe every day.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Secrets of Islam

A guide to the world's fastest growing religion.

Sacred Places

Explore the significance, history, and enduring power of places people consider most sacred.

Women of the Bible

The "daughters of Eve" play many roles in the Old and New Testaments.