Religion & Public Life
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Celebrating Diwali
This weekend, Hindus and others around the world will celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali is one of the most popular religious holidays in India. In a 2019-2020 Pew Research Center survey, more than nine-in-ten Indian Hindus (95%) said they celebrate the festival, as did large majorities of the country’s Jains (98%), Sikhs (90%) and Buddhists (79%).
Celebrating Diwali often involves performing ritual prayers, lighting oil lamps called diyas, and enjoying traditional sweets while spending time with loved ones.
In the United States, Hindus make up roughly 1% of the population, according to the according to the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study.
Media mentions
The puzzling signs of religion among young adults
Nov. 3 – Deseret News
In the news
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeats Mike Rogers in Michigan to become first Muslim U.S. senator
Nov. 4 – The Washington Post *
Voters deliver abortion rights victories in Missouri, Nevada and Virginia
Nov. 4 – Religion News Service
Idaho voters reject abortion rights initiative Prop 1
Nov. 4 – Idaho Capital Sun
Libya’s top religious authority rules against Muslims wearing Nike clothes
Nov. 3 – BBC News *
Supreme Court justices seem likely to side with Colorado Catholic schools seeking public money
Nov. 3 – The New York Times *
Satanic Temple holiday event at Iowa Capitol can go ahead, judge orders
Nov. 3 – The Washington Post *
Sister June Carpenter, one of the few remaining Shakers, dies in Maine. She was 88
Nov. 3 – The Associated Press
This Jewish ex-cop will represent an Islamist party in Israel’s newly elected parliament
Oct. 31 – The Associated Press
Pope Leo’s history-making U.S. ballot models ‘faithful citizenship’
Nov. 2 – OSV News
In Afghanistan, musicians defy music ban to keep traditions alive
Oct. 30 – The Associated Press
