Terror Attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India

Ridgewood, NJ — April 27, 2025

In a moving evening of unity, remembrance, and compassion, community members, faith leaders, elected officials, and neighbors gathered in Ridgewood to honor the victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India. The vigil was hosted by the Ridgewood Indian Community in partnership with the Hindu Heritage Network, Hindu Samaj Temple Mahwah, Arya Samaj of New Jersey, Glen Rock Indian Community, River Dell Indian Association, and Fair Lawn Hindu Community.

Emcees Garima Singh and Sanjukta Basu opened the evening by welcoming attendees, emphasizing the program’s purpose: to honor those 26 people who lost their lives, stand united against hatred and violence, and call for the condemnation of the senseless taking of innocent lives in the name of religious extremism.

The program featured heartfelt remarks from distinguished community leaders, including:

• Mr. Rakesh Kaul, Author and Co-Founder, Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora

• Mr. Dinesh Khosla, Chairman, Hindu Samaj Temple, Mahwah

• Reverend Mack Brandon, Pastor, Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, Ridgewood

• Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg, Glen Rock Jewish Center

• Ms. Alka Chandra, Chairperson, Arya Samaj of New Jersey

• Mr. Sanjeev Goyal, Trustee, Hindu Heritage Network

• Prabhu Ramachandra Das, President, ISKCON of Bergen County

• Mr. Sanjiv Ohri, Former Glen Rock Board of Education Member, Community leader

• Mr. Mahmoud Hamza, Imam and Founding Member, Muslim Society of Ridgewood

• Ms. Naomi Knopf, Chief Impact Officer, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey

  
  

  Several elected officials also shared messages of solidarity, including:

  
  

• Cristina Cutrone, Mayor of Fair Lawn

• Priti Dhariwal, Council Member, River Edge

• Ravi Sachdev, Council Member, Saddle River

One of the most poignant moments of the evening was the remembrance ceremony. As the names of the victims were solemnly read aloud, youth and child volunteers placed white roses beside framed photos of the victims—ensuring each life was honored with grace, dignity, and deep respect.

Following the remembrance, Mayor Paul Vagianos of Ridgewood delivered the keynote address, praising the community’s resilience and calling on everyone to light candles in a powerful act of unity before concluding the evening.

The organizers expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone present including council members:

Jill Birnbaum Orlich, Elizabeth Coll and Maureen Rozanski from Glen Rock & Pamela

Perron from Ridgewood &  the 200+ residents of supporting communities across

Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Wycko   , Allendale, River Edge, Leonia, Westwood, Paramus, Park Ridge, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River and beyond for coming together in solidarity, remembrance, and hope.

Media Contact: Aditya Singh

Email: Aditya.ca@gmail.com

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