Our Bureau
New York, NY
This Diwali season, Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) is proud to host an Interfaith Diwali & Bandi Chhor Divas Celebration at the Church of the Living Hope in East Harlem from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 25th. The event brings together neighbors, faith leaders, artists, and advocates to celebrate light, freedom, and solidarity through music, food, art, and reflection.
The afternoon will open with prayers and reflections from spiritual leaders and community partners, followed by a lively lineup of performances and conversations that bridge faith and justice. Musical highlights include Umer Piracha of Falsa, a mariachi band, vocalist Shobana Ram and a finale performance by Sonny Singh of Red Baraat.
Guests can also enjoy mehndi, children’s games, diya decorating, and yoga, alongside interactive tables with Know Your Rights resources and partner organizations. Two community panels will explore liberation and faith through the lenses of activism, storytelling, and interfaith collaboration. The evening will close with the lighting of diyas — a shared act of remembrance and hope that connects Diwali’s triumph of good over evil with Bandi Chhor Divas’s message of release and freedom.
The celebration reflects HfHR’s vision of a pluralistic society where faith becomes a force for freedom, equality, and compassion — values at the heart of both Hindu and Sikh traditions and the interfaith spirit of New York City.
Event Details:
Interfaith Diwali & Bandi Chhor Divas on Saturday, October 25, 2025 between 2:30 – 6:30 PM
At Church of the Living Hope, 161 E. 104th St., NYC
With Music • Yoga • Food • Mehndi • Children’s Activities
Featuring performances by Umer Piracha (Falsa), Sonny Singh (Red Baraat), a mariachi band and many other fabulous performers.
For registration: tinyurl.com/DiwaliDiwas
Hosted by: Hindus for Human Rights, The Sikh Coalition, Church of the Living Hope, and the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes.
