Our Mission & Vision
SALDEF is the nation’s oldest Sikh organization focused on building leadership and capacity in the Sikh American community.
Our mission is to empower Sikh Americans by building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans.
We are grounded in our values of optimism (chardi kala), humility (nimrata) and service (seva), inspired by the community (sangat) for the benefit of all (sarbat da bhalla).
We envision a United States where Sikh Americans are respected and recognized as a vibrant and integral part of the fabric of this nation and are appreciated for our shared values of service, social justice, and an unshakeable belief in freedom and equality for all.
What We Do
- Provide legal referral services for issues including workplace and housing discrimination, protecting Sikh articles of faith, and public accommodation.
- Lead the effort to formulate and support legislation directly benefiting the community.
- Conduct community outreach programs to empower Sikh Americans to exercise their constitutional civil rights.
- Conduct cultural awareness training for government, law enforcement agencies, and private businesses.
- Create and distribute educational resources to inform media, schools, and government agencies about Sikhs.
- Monitor the media and respond to misrepresentations of the Sikh faith and Sikhs.
Located in the Nation’s Capital
Currently, SALDEF has a staffed national office in Washington, DC, and a network of nationwide volunteers and regional directors. We continue to advocate for the rights of all Sikh Americans through our signature programs, advocacy, research and the media.