Sikhs Join Interfaith Efforts in Support of Peace, Tolerance and Religious Liberty

UNITED SIKHS Promotes Unity & Acceptance in Memory of 9/11

Highlights:

• Sikhs join Interfaith organizations in solidarity against intolerance, discord and prejudice
• Sikhs and other minority communities asked to be vigilant in light of recent hate crimes, and to educate their communities through ‘know your rights’ campaigns.

New York, NY: Members and volunteers of UNITED SIKHS joined Interfaith organizations in solidarity against intolerance, discord and prejudice to commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001.  Through these events and in support of communities unfairly targeted in the backlash of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, UNITED SIKHS and other organizations stand in support of the fact that religious intolerance is not in line with American values.

On Friday, September 10, 2010, UNITED SIKHS attended the “Vigil for American Values”, coordinated by the New York Neighbors for American Values and supported by the Interfaith Center of New York. Centered on the theme of “Understanding, Acceptance and the Love of Neighbors,” the event was attended by elected officials and religious leaders. Dr. Tejal Kaur, UNITED SIKHS volunteer, spoke on the importance of unity among people of different faiths and our duty to protect others from the Sikh perspective. The vigil took place on the corner of Church Street and Park Place in Downtown Manhattan from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Click here to see a part of the event.

Lately, New York City has watched while members of different communities have been victims of hate crimes, including a Muslim Taxi Driver, numerous members of the Latino community, and most recently, members of the Gay community. As Dr. Tejal Kaur says in her speech at the Candlelight vigil, “Sikh headcoverings provide the equally important purpose of serving to create an external identity so that a Sikh may always be distinguished in a crowd as someone who must act in the defense of others.  Ironically, it is that same external identity which has placed Sikhs at risk for hate crimes and civil liberties violations. Yet, instead of saying, “Do not discriminate against us, we are not Muslim,” the values of the Sikh faith demand that a Sikh stand up and demand that NO ONE, REGARDLESS OF FAITH OR CREED BE BARRED FROM PRACTICING THEIR FAITH FREELY. THAT NO ONE, BE DENIED JUSTICE AND COMPASSION.”

On Saturday, September 11, 2010, UNITED SIKHS Volunteer Satkiran Kaur Khalsa joined members of different faith communities and represented Sikhs by reciting verses from the Gurbani in reflection for the loss of life and in the spirit of promoting unity and acceptance at the 9th Annual Floating Lanterns Ceremony.  New York Buddhist Church led the ceremony with the assistance of the Interfaith Center of New York at South Side of Pier 40 (W. Houston St. & West Street) from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The ritual replicated the one in Hiroshima  Japan which commemorates the victims of the atomic bombings during WWII. As one of the key partners, UNITED SIKHS provided langar to attendees at the ceremony.

UNITED SIKHS urges community members to be alert, be aware and know your rights.

To notify UNITED SIKHS of a hate crime or to know more about your rights, please contact us at law-usa@unitedsikhs.org.

IN CASE OF A HATE CRIME CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRST!

For a previous press release on advocacy, please see: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-14-10-2010-00.html

Issued by:
Rucha Kavathe
Media and Communications Coordinator
1-888-243-1690.
law-usa@unitedsikhs.org