President Barack Obama on Wednesday became the first US president to attend a White House Diwali celebration, though the tradition was started during the tenure of his predecessor George W. Bush.
Obama wished guests a Happy Diwali and “Saal Mubarak” and then proceeded to light the White House diya. A Hindu priest delivered the invocation at the ceremony. “This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting diyas, or lamps, which symbolise the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance,” Obama said.
Noting that this was a time for rejoicing, the president added, "It's also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need."
Obama said that while the significance of the holiday for each faith varies, "all of them mark it by gathering with family members to pray and decorate the house and enjoy delicious food and sweet treats."
The president told his audience that "members of some of the world's greatest faiths celebrate the triumph of good over evil" on Diwali. He then acknowledged the "unthinkable hate crimes" faced by some Asian Americans caught up in the racial backlash that followed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, and described these as "crimes driven by ignorance and prejudice that are an affront to everything that this nation stands
for."
