Sikhism

He didn’t want to give up his religion to serve. Now he’s Houston’s first Sikh deputy constable.

January 22, 2020

Amrit Singh always knew he wanted to work as a peace officer. He spent years in law enforcement explorer programs, five months in a police training academy, and many dozens of hours working out and studying.

After all that work, the 21-year-old Sugar Land resident’s swearing in as one of the newest members of the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office took less than a minute.

The move made him the first Sikh deputy constable in Harris County and represented an important step forward in religious inclusion, local...

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Sikhs to be counted as separate ethnic group in US census for first time

January 15, 2020

For the first time, Sikhs in the US will be counted as a separate ethnic group in the 2020 census, an organisation of the minority community said on Tuesday, describing it as a milestone moment.

President of the Sikh Society of San Diego Baljeet Singh said the Sikh community’s efforts have come to fruition.

“This has paved the way forward nationally not only for the Sikh community but also for other ethnicities in the United States,” he said.

Source: ...

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Vandals paint racist graffiti on Orangevale Sikh center

January 14, 2020

A new Sikh center in Sacramento County was defaced with racist graffiti.

Vandals spray-painted swastikas and the words “White Power” on the stone marking the entrance to the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Center on Walnut Avenue in Orangevale.

“This is racism. This is a hate crime. This is unfortunately something no one should have to go through, no community, no religion,” said volunteer Dimplejeet Bhullar.

Source: Vandals paint racist...

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When Disasters Hit California, Sikh Temples Provide Meals and Refuge

January 3, 2020

ON A CLEAR FALL MORNING earlier last year, Kashmir Shahi received an urgent call from the Salvation Army. The organization wanted to know if he would be able to provide food for over 700 people at a Santa Rosa shelter who had been displaced due to the Kincade Fire burning through California’s Sonoma County.

“They called me at 11 a.m.,” Shahi remembers. “They needed the food at 4 p.m. I live in Union City, and Santa Rosa is an hour and a half drive from there. They asked if it was possible...

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Rose Parade 2020: Sikhs roll out a float to sow seeds of hope, generosity and harmony

January 2, 2020
Miles Lhotka has performed in at least four musicals and knows how to capture attention with dramatic movements. But this was the 12-year old’s first time on a float at the Rose Parade, and it was a much different beast. To begin with, Lhotka had to sit for over two hours on a slowly moving object, waving at people more interested in the design of the float than the people atop it. To get their attention, he needed to wave. But “you can’t just move your wrist. You have to move your entire arm,” the La Cañada resident said. “Waving normally is not going to cut it.” Source: ... Read more about Rose Parade 2020: Sikhs roll out a float to sow seeds of hope, generosity and harmony

Houston’s police to allow Sikh officers to serve with their articles of faith

November 21, 2019
The police department of Houston, Texas has adopted a policy that allows officers to wear articles of faith on duty, which is prohibited by many law enforcement agencies in the United States. According to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the department will accommodate Sikh officers by allowing them to wear their articles of faith during their service. Source: Houston’s police to allow Sikh officers to serve with their articles of faith | New Europe

Sikh community fears worship site will be razed to make way for condos

November 18, 2019
A notice taped on a nearby tree is the only official word that Sikh worshippers say they received about plans to raze the gurdwara where they’ve gathered for decades. A four-story commercial and residential condominium complex is now planned to take over the Sikh Community Gurdwara in Alhambra, a San Gabriel Valley city about 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The project has been approved by the city of Alhambra’s planning commission. Plumbing and electrical plans have been submitted. About half a million dollars, the developer and landowner said, has already been spent. But Sikh... Read more about Sikh community fears worship site will be razed to make way for condos

Lexington Sikhs invite community to open celebration

November 11, 2019
Sunday is an important day in the faith of Sikhism; it's the 550th anniversary of the founder's birth. Sikhs in Lexington opened their doors to anyone who wanted to learn more, in honor of the special day. When you walk into the Gurudwara, you take off your shoes and cover your head, just like in other Indian religions. But Surjit Singh Dhrooper says people only see the similarities in common Indian culture Source: Lexington Sikhs invite community to open celebration

Hemkunt Foundation

Sri Hemkunt Foundation, established in 1980, promotes Sikh religion and culture, primarily through the distribution of religious books and the organization of national and international symposia. The foundation places special interest on the concerns of Sikh children growing up in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.

United Sikh Association

This association, the first national organization for Sikh youth in America, was founded by Mandeep Dhillon in 1992. U.S.A. sponsors leadership retreats, national conferences, and local community service programs as a means to give young Sikhs the tools to better define themselves.

gurdwara

The gurdwara, “the gateway of the Guru,” is the place for community gathering and worship in the Sikh tradition. The Guru is the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of the Sikh tradition. Each center will include a chamber where the Adi Granth is kept, a room for th. singing of hymns from the Adi Granth, and a community kitchen where langar, the community meal, is prepared.

Rahim

Rahim was popular name for God among the Muslims of North India.

Resolutions introduced in US Congress to recognize Sikhs' contributions in America

November 1, 2019
Marking 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, resolutions have been introduced in the US Congress to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikhs in the United States and the discrimination they have faced in the country and around the world. One of the resolution introduced by Senators Todd Young and Ben Cardin on Thursday recognizes the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak on November 12. Source: ... Read more about Resolutions introduced in US Congress to recognize Sikhs' contributions in America

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