New York , USA : UNITED SIKHS attended the third Annual Clergy Summit meeting on 1 st June 2006 on how to empower and protect congregations and communities through disasters preparedness. The meeting, organized by the New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), at the New York University ‘s Kimmel center, focused on best practises for religious leaders and was attended by humanitarian relief organizations.
The New York City panel comprised: Care of the Caregivers Interfaith Project, the Council of Churches of the City of New York, Church World Service, Leviticus Church of God in Christ, Jamaica Queens, Islamic Circle of North America-Relief and UNITED SIKHS. The panel addressed the summit on their unique experiences in the Hurricane Katrina relief response..
NYDIS is a faith based federation of service providers and charitable organizations who work in partnership to provide disaster planning and training services.
The keynote address was given by Bishop Charles Jenkins, of the Episcopal Diocese of Lousiana, which serves a diocese of 54 congregations. He spoke on the church’s rebuilding plans following hurricanes Katrina and Rita last fall.
Rev. David Billings, Coordinator of the NYC Office of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, addressing the meeting of more than 150 people, said that organized effort is very important. He said that many faiths, today, especially in America , ‘are working in the communities of color’. “Individual expertise is not that important. It is the collective that counts. Structural realities within America are to be looked into, especially through the angle of race and power,” he said
Rev James Pullings, Pastor, Leviticus Church of God in Christ, of Queens in New York City, said, ” We need marathon runners, and not sprinters, in the efforts put in for disaster recovery”. On being asked as to what inspires them, he said, “It is the courage that his faith gives to them to assist in such endeavors”.
Hardayal Singh, UNITED SIKHS’ Sikh Aid volunteer and one of the panelists, said, “The Sikh faith is our strength and provides us the courage to seek out challenges and address them boldly, with the name of Vaaheguroo on our lips.” On being asked as to what is the source of inspiration, he said, “Pain and grief has no culture or religion. We have seen the disastrous impact of 9/11, whose effects are still there. Victims of the Tsunami, Katrina, South Asian Earthquake and the Indonesian Earthquake, share the same pain and grief across. Disaster relief involves rebuilding the dreams of the affected people. A Sikh’s response has always been to adhere to his/her faith strongly, recognizing all humankind as one.”
Mohammad T. Rahman, Board of Director of the Islamic Circle of North America-Relief, and one of the panelists said, “It is very important that after 9/11 we need to look closely at not only the affects of natural disasters but also those of the backlash that the Muslim and the Sikh community along with other ‘communities of color’ have been experiencing. The government and the faith based communities need to address this strongly. Islamic Relief, initially had been catering to only the Islamic communities across the globe but have now expanded their relief measures outside of the Islamic community members.”
The Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition, Pritpal Singh, took part in the readings from the Sacred Texts and Prayers. During the session of questions and answers, he reminded the audience that during backlashes after disasters, it is important to not just take care of your community but also to provide care to members of other communities.
To read a previous Press Release on UNITED SIKHS’ humanitarian relief work please seehttps://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/COMVCE-02-06-2006-00.htm
Issued by:
Kuldip Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS
1- 4045508356
