November 25, 2001
Source: The Seattle Times
On November 25, 2001, The Seattle Times featured the story "Sikhs gather to mark founder's birthday." It reported, "The occasion calls for feasting and for reflecting on Guru Nanak's message of peace and equality. The message is especially relevant this year, as Sikhs, locally and nationally, have been harassed since Sept. 11, likely by people who mistook the turbans and long beards worn by Sikh men" as those of turban-clad followers of Osama Bin Laden. The article noted that there are some 15,000 Sikhs in Washington state.