SECRETS OF THE KORAN will air in two parts; Part 1 premieres March 2nd
at 9:00pm ET/PT and Part 2 premieres March 9th at 9:00pm ET/PT only on The
History Channel(R).A.S.com

pilgrimages donald

com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO )
This two part series will get at the heart of one of the world's most
spiritual documents, capturing its majesty and mystery, while shedding light
on the very foundation of Islam.
During this sacred ceremony, water will be poured over the hands of
leaders in a symbolic gesture of good wishes, renewal and blessings
for the New Year, as prayers and offerings are made by Buddhist monks,
elders and religious participants.
JMA is comprised of 5 motorcycle clubs - 4 in the United States,
primarily located in the Northeast, one in South Florida and one in
Toronto.

sacred tradition

Traditionally, younger generations pour
scented water over the palms of Buddhist monks and elders, asking for
their blessings. Trip planning easily can be done online
through Metro."
In a demonstration of solidarity to mark this occasion, the group will
be picking up bikers, Jewish and non Jewish alike, to join portions of
the ride to Washington, D.C.

israeli organizer

Admission at the all-day cultural festival is
FREE, with booths offering Thai food, beverages and souvenirs for
purchase. Visitors also are encouraged to "Go Metro" to the
Thai New Year Festival, by taking the Metro Red Line straight to the
Hollywood/Western stop.

Why: In Memoriam of Yom Hashoa, Friday, May 6th, the global
day of recognition of the Holocaust. for a dinner event.

pilgrimage donald

Executive Producer for The History Channel is Dolores Gavin . Also
known as the Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year street faire is
expected to draw more than 40,000, as L. It is also
believed that this act of gratitude helps bring spiritual renewal,
happiness and prosperity to the practitioners.
On Friday, May 6th, the world's global recognition day of the
Holocaust, from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, motorcyclists from all over the
country will meet in a staging area at East Coast Harley Davidson -
17975 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 (703) 221 -6855, located about
25 miles outside of Washington.

pilgrimage sacred

net., D.
KDB will make additional stops along the way during its trip up
the east coast stopping in Jacksonville, Fl, the first night,
Charlotte , NC the second night and arriving in Falls Church, VA on
Wednesday, May 4th.

led often

. From its poetic and complex language, to its position on peace
and violence, to its views on other religions, SECRETS OF THE KORAN will
demystify and explain the text: where it came from, what it says, and what it
means . The public is also encouraged to
bring their children to honor family elders in the Water Blessing
Ceremony and to receive blessings from spiritual leaders. A shuttle bus will transport
festival attendees from the parking lot at Kaiser Permanente Hospital
on Sunset Boulevard. Metrolink is one of the many community sponsors of
this year's festival, produced under unified efforts of various Thai
American business and civic associations with support from the Royal
Thai Consulate General , the Thai Trade Mission and the Thai Tourism
Authority offices in Los Angeles. There, the club will meet
with Rabbi Zachery Betesh, the spiritual leader of King David Bikers
(KDB) and an Associate Rabbi with Chabad Lubavitch Synagogue of
Fort Lauderdale who will be bringing with him to Washington , D. At approx.

religious discovery

's Best Thai Food, More

The United States' largest celebration of the 2005 Thai Lunar New
Year will take place on Sunday, April 3, in Los Angeles, along
Hollywood Boulevard in the city's popular Thai Town neighborhood.A.
"Songkran is the most sacred holiday for our community and
symbolizes hope and renewal for all cultures," said Prakas
Yenbamroong, one of the volunteer leaders and festival coordinators. for a formal dinner gathering commencing at
8:00 PM.

often discovery

On Thursday , they will meet "The Tribe"
Jewish bikers for a joint tour of the Harley Davidson factory in York ,
PA.

A pilgrimage is travel to sites sacred to a particular religious or spiritual tradition for the purpose of renewing or revitalizing one's connection with that tradition.

sacred holy

newscom. According to the Muslim faith, during the
seventh century the Prophet Muhammad received these revelations directly from
God , and for 22 years, preached them to his people verbatim. The
program will look at these verses, why they were revealed, how they were
preserved, and their influence on modern life.History.

"In the past 30 years, the Thai community has grown and benefited from
life here and, in turn, wants to share its traditions and culture with
America.

Community Desks/Religion Writers/Calendar Editors/News Editors
ADVISORY.com, the
South Florida contingent will have a formal departure event at the
Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial on Sunday, May 1st, commencing at
9:30 AM .

israeli pilgrimage

where all groups will convene in a never before been
done Jewish Biking event commemorating the Holocaust this May, which
marks the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust.
At approximately 3:30 PM on Thursday, the Tribe and YOWs will join
with the Chai Riders and Hillel's Angels, meeting at Mike 's Famous
Harley Davidson (off I-95 at the foot of the Delaware Memorial Bridge)
where they will also be joined by other riders, Jewish and non-Jewish
alike, to ride as a group to Washington, D .

islamic dnr

and
controversy.
(Logo: http://www.
A welcome address and traditional Thai Water Blessing Ceremony at
11 a.
"A central goal of the festival is to continue Thai traditions for
future generations," said Rosalyn Patamakanthin, festival volunteer
and former president of the Thai Association of Southern California.
King David Bikers will then depart for its 1100-mile pilgrimage,
with a first stop in Jacksonville, Florida.C. This Torah was successfully preserved
and delivered to Jerusalem in the late 1930's and now will make this
remarkable journey with the Rabbi on his Harley Davidson mitzvah
motorcycle to the Holocaust Memorial.

illume hajj

"More than just a day of family, food and fun, this is a festival with
heart, and the Songkran New Year truly celebrates every culture's
values of respect, gratitude and community."
The Thai New Year Day officially lasts from April 13-15.

israeli holy

Muslims worldwide believe the Koran is God's
guidance, a sourcebook to help believers follow the right path; but much of
the non-Muslim world often sees the Koran as a text shrouded in mystery.

Sunday April 3 -- Grand Festival Marks Thai New Year in Los Angeles Home to Biggest Thai Celebration in U.S.

display of "the world's
largest serving of pad thai noodles" in a giant six-foot wok, and the
delectable "Taste of Thai Culture" food faire with more than 50 food
booths selling savory and authentic dishes representing all four
regions of Thailand.

C.C. 11:30 AM all bikers will
depart and ride as a group to the National Holocaust Memorial.

buddhist religious

On The History Channel Decoding The Past: SECRETS OF THE KORAN

com.kingdavidbikers.

Charity and Fundraising

The ride will have a registration fee of $30.

particular reid

Ancient Thai tradition presumes that at this special
time, water can wash away bad luck for the upcoming year.C.

It is often led by someone with special expertise or knowledge of the subject .

specialty dnr

It is within the
Koran that these messages endure to this very day, addressing all spiritual
and practical aspects of life: from calls to a belief in one God, to laws that
guide society, to warnings about Divine Justice and the end of the world. The History Channel web site is
located at http:/ /www. to Feature Dignitaries'
Water Blessing Ceremony, "Taste of Thai Culture" Food Faire with
More Than 50 Booths of L. Attractions
throughout the day also include a cultural parade, Thai boxing and
sword fight sporting exhibitions, fruit and ice carving
demonstrations, children's activities , Thai costume contests, tsunami
aid information and collection booths, and much more.
Yidden on Wheels Motorcycle Touring Group (YOWs) will meet at the
Holocaust Centre of Toronto on Wednesday , May 4th and commence their
500-mile pilgrimage south.

For more information, please contact: Jeff Mustard, President,
King David Bikers: 954-801-8263 / email: mustard007@aol.com ;
http:/ /www.

expertise reid

The program will also explore what role the Koran has played throughout
Islamic history; from the 500 year reign of the Golden Age of Islam, to the
legendary clashes of Muslim and Christian forces during the times of the
Crusades, recognizing what great influence it had on the individuals living
out these momentous events. The
History Channel has earned six News and Documentary Emmy (R) Awards and
received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts
+ Sciences for the network's "Save Our History(R)" campaign dedicated to
historic preservation and history education."
"Songkran" symbolizes the start of the lunar New Year or movement
of the sun and is celebrated by Thai populations around the world as a
day of spiritual renewal and gratitude , honoring family, respected
elders and community leaders. will mark the grand opening of the festival , where the Thai
community publicly will bless local dignitaries and community leaders. For the
festival in Los Angeles, on Sunday, April 3, Hollywood Boulevard will
remain closed between Western Avenue and Kingsley Drive., for an international gathering.
One group will leave the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial and ride
up the east coast to the Washington Holocaust Memorial, and another
group will leave the Toronto Holocaust Memorial and ride south to
Washington, D., and parts of MD
Yids on Wheels (YOW) Toronto, Canada

King David Bikers, http://www.kingdavidbikers.

often religious

Part 1 Premieres Thursday March 2nd 9:00pm ET/PT

Part 2 Premieres Thursday March 9th 9:00pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, The Koran is a sacred text that over one
billion people live by .. Among the most
popular features of the festival are performances by Thai cultural
dancers and musicians, a massive 200-lb.C.

Club Name Location
King David Bikers Southern Florida
Chai Riders Greater New York, (NYC, LI, Westchester, NJ,
Conn. Nearly 500 motorcyclists, both Jewish and non Jewish, from
the South Florida area are expected ., a
recently procured sacred Sefer Torah that was written in 1929 and used
secretly during the Holocaust.

religious illume

SECRETS OF THE KORAN will examine the use
of the word jihad, its meaning within the Koran , and how the concept has been
used by others, most significantly, modern day Islamic radicals.)
Hillel 's Angels New Jersey
The Tribe Northern Va.
Thursday evening, all the Jewish clubs as well as Jewish bikers
from around the country will be meeting at the Marriott International
Hotel, Falls Church, Va.

islamic led

Delving even deeper, it will
explore the similarities and differences between the Koran and the bible and
the ways in which Muslims believe the Koran corrects some of the Jewish and
Christian scriptures.
The messages in Islam's holy book have been used to launch some of the
world's greatest civilizations but its interpretations have also been used as
justification for acts of violence. SECRETS OF
THE KORAN PARTS 1 AND 2 are produced for The History Channel by Towers
Productions. is home to the largest Thai
population outside of Thailand.m.

sacred hajj

Calendar Editors/News Editors/Community Editors

LOS ANGELES----

All-Day Thai Festival along Hollywood Blvd..

led specialty

. The total membership of all groups combined is approximately
500 Jewish motorcycle enthusiasts . Proceeds, less
expenses of the event, will be donated to the Holocaust Memorial
Museum and to the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force.

expertise sacred

Now reaching more than 88 million Nielsen subscribers , The History
Channel(R), "Where History Lives," brings history to life in a powerful manner
and provides an inviting place where people experience history personally and
connect their own lives to the great lives and events of the past. Songkran celebration. Thai culture and food has been largely embraced by Angelenos,
and we look forward to celebrating this holiday with them.
In addition to nearby public parking lots, visitors may find
parking along neighboring streets.

ADVISORY/``Ride to Remember'' JMA Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance Plans 1500-Mile Pilgrimage of Jewish Bikers Up and Down the East Coast to the Holocaust Memori

for Sunday-Friday (May 1-6)

MIAMI----

What: International Ride of Jewish Motorcyclists to
National Holocaust Memorial Museum

Where: From Miami to Toronto, Jewish Bikers from across
North America will meet at select cities to meet and
ride to Washington, D.

When: Sunday, May 1st - Friday, May 6th / Bikes commence
gathering at 8:30 AM, Holocaust Memorial/Miami Beach;
Formal Ceremony 9:30 - 9:45; Depart for 1100 mile
pilgrimage at 10:45 AM.

The Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance, (JMA), a loosely knit
association of the most well-known and best-organized Jewish
Motorcycle clubs in the United States and Canada, representing more
than 500 motorcycle enthusiasts, will simultaneously make a 1,500 mile
pilgrimage for a first -ever international event - "Ride to Remember.

dnr tradition

More than 30,000 attended last year's
festival, the first concerted effort by Thai organizations on the West
Coast to host an official U. There will be an overnight stop in
Harrisburg, PA, on Wednesday.