Obama to attend White House Divali celebrations

U.S. President Barack Obama will personally join members of the Asian American community to celebrate Diwali at the White House this week.

The celebration of the Hindu festival of lights will be held at the East Room in keeping with Obama's policy of celebrating and respecting diverse religions and cultural traditions.

In a speech in Egypt earlier this year Obama spoke of the universality of religion.

"There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion," he said, "that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

"This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew.

"It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world.

"It's a faith in other people...We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning...

"The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth."

Read the official transcript of the speech

While it was Obama's predecessor, former president George W Bush, who started the tradition of celebrating Divali at the White House, Bush refused to personally participated in the celebrations because of his religious views.

Bush also kept the celebration away from the main White House, holding it instead in an annex.

This year Obama is changing that by walking the talk and personally attending and participating in what is perhaps the most significant celebration in the Hindu calendar. And the historic East Room, which is used for ceremonial occasions. will be aglow with the lights of Divali

It's unlikely that Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning will get involved in any such event.

Manning is a born again Christian who has said on many occasions that he plans to become a preacher when he leaves politics.

In 2002 when he moved to the official residence of the prime minister one of his first tasks was to remove Jhandis from the grounds. The Hindu flags were planted there by his Hindu predecessor, Basdeo Panday, when he offered prayers to Hindu dieties.

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Manning eventually tore down the house and replaced it with the multi-million dollar prime minister's residence and diplomatic complex.