As Hindu people prepare to celebrate Diwali, their festival of light triumphing over darkness, our bishops have sent a message of greeting and goodwill. 
During Diwali, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly lit and the festival, commencing on Saturday, November 14, typically lasts five days.
The message reads:
We send our warmest greetings to you on the occasion of Diwali, particularly this year as you prepare to celebrate during a period of lockdown.
We are thankful for the good relations that we enjoy with our Hindu neighbours, friends and colleagues across the parishes and chaplaincies of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, and for the ways in which we have shown solidarity with each other during the coronavirus pandemic. We are deeply aware of the devastating impact of the virus for so many - please be assured of our ongoing prayers for all those who have been affected, both here in the UK and throughout the world, including in India.
We continue to be grateful for the huge contribution that Hindus make to our common life in the UK as a community working for the good of all. In particular we appreciate how you have worked together with different faith and community groups during the pandemic to support the most vulnerable people in our local communities.
Circumstances have made us conscious of the darkness this year: darkness of ignorance, of conflict and of death. Yet, as you light your lamps to celebrate this festival of lights, and we as Christians look forward to our celebrations of Advent and Christmas, we pray that the lamps of friendship, peace, hope and love will shine brightly for all those in our communities.
Wishing you a blessed Diwali,
Bishop Nick Baines
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs
Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley
Bishop Toby Howarth
Bishop Tony Robinson
Bishop Paul Slater