The Interfaith Alliance Promotes DOT/FAA Air Travel Guidelines During Holiday Season To: National Desk Contact: Kim Baldwin or Jenny Davis, 202-639-6370 or 202-271-5695 (cell), both of The Interfaith Alliance Sumeet Kaur of the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, 877-917-4547 Samuel Kaplan of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, 202-299-1130 WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ — The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) commends the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for issuing a fact sheet of federal guidelines to address the issues of racial profiling and turban searches at airports facing Sikh, Muslim and other Americans of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent. The fact sheet, “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Air Travel of People Who Are Or May Appear to Be of Arab, Middle Eastern or South Asian Descent and/or Muslim or Sikh,” has been made available for public distribution on the FAA’s website at http://www.faa.gov/. As part of a grassroots effort to make the publication available to the religious and ethnic communities across the country, TIA has posted the guidelines on its website at “The DOT and FAA are to be commended for their efforts in producing these critical, educational guidelines in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. With the imminent holiday travel season, it is not only imperative that Sikhs, Muslims and those who appear to be of Middle Eastern descent know their rights when traveling through U.S. airports, but also essential that airline employees practice sensitivity and evidence respect for religious practices,” said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, executive director of TIA. “The Interfaith Alliance will continue to work with the transportation industry as well as with varied religious communities to ensure the protection of religious and civil rights alongside the protection of airport security.” The fact sheet provides the answers to questions in the following five areas: — What new DOT/FAA security restrictions on carry-on items should I be aware of before I fly on a commercial airliner? — What are my rights when I fly on a commercial airliner? — What can I expect as I go through the security screening process at the airport? — How do screeners determine when additional security screening is appropriate? — What can I do if I believe that my rights have been violated? Since Sept. 11, there has been a rise in anti-Islamic and anti-immigrant sentiment. In fact, the FAA has documented numerous cases of Sikh Americans being improperly searched while traveling through US airports. Many cite incidents in which they were singled out and improperly searched because they looked Middle Eastern. Before passing through the metal detectors at airport security checkpoints, many Sikhs have been asked to remove their turbans in public — a practice that is forbidden by their faith. When a Sikh is asked to remove his turban in public, it is as though he is being asked to undress in public. “In early November, leaders of the Sikh community, along with The Interfaith Alliance, met with the FAA and DOT to not only discuss our concerns over treatment of Sikh Americans at airports, but also to educate them on our religious tradition,” said Manjit Singh, executive director of Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force. “The new guidelines are the clearest and most explicit yet in terms of how airlines should handle Sikh and other Americans who may be affected by illegal racial profiling incidents. We thank the DOT and FAA for responding to this concern of the Sikh and other minority communities.” The Sikh Council on Religion and Education organized the Nov. 6 meeting to allow leaders of the Sikh and other faith communities to discuss their concerns with officials from the DOT and FAA. TIA has sent copies of the guidelines to its local Alliances in 38 states as well as placed them on its website, http://www.interfaithalliance.org. Grassroots activists have made the guidelines available to Sikh, Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian residents in their communities so that they may carry the guidelines with them when traveling. The FAA/DOT guidelines (4-pages) can be obtained at http://www.faa.gov/acr/DOTAT-RNO.doc or at http://www.interfaithalliance.org/Newsroom/press/011119DOT.PDF. —— Founded in 1994, The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) is a non-partisan clergy-led grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the positive and healing role of religion in the life of the nation and challenging those who manipulate religion to promote a narrow, divisive agenda. With more than 130,000 members drawn from over 50 faith traditions, local Alliances in 38 states and a national network of religious leaders, TIA promotes compassion, civility and mutual respect for human dignity in our increasingly diverse society. US Newswire
TIA Promotes DOT/FAA Air Travel Guidelines During Holiday
Sikh Americans harassed at the nation’s airports in the wake of the September 11 attacks because they wear turbans and beards, have received support from an unexpected, and powerful, quarter. Congressman Edolphus Towns, the New York Democrat and ranking member of the influential Congressional Black Caucus, took to the House floor to criticize the “blatant racial profiling” that led to increased incidents of Sikh men being asked to remove their turbans at airports. Last month he said Satpal Singh Kohli was about to board a Southwest Airlines flight from Albuquerque to Los Angeles when members of the ground crew demanded that he remove his turban. Towns noted Kohli’s protestations that his Sikh religion required him to wear the turban and as such he could not remove it, were of no avail as the ground crew insisted he remove his turban if he wanted to board the flight. Towns informed his Congressional colleagues that since Kohli needed to get to Los Angeles to be with his ailing father, and realizing the agents would not budge, asked to see their supervisor but was told in no uncertain terms that if he had a problem he should contact customer service. The lawmaker said, “The agents not only searched his turban in full view of other passengers, they searched his unshorn hair – required by his religion – as well,” which had left Kohli humiliated. Towns said even though the agents had told Kohli they only wanted to search his bag, not his turban or hair, went back on their promise and finally ended up not checking his bag. The lawmaker also brought to the attention of other members of Congress how another Sikh, this time a New York legal official, Tejinder Singh Kahlon, “was asked to remove his turban at a New York airport, and when he refused, was not allowed to board his plane.” “More than 99 percent of the people in this country who wear turbans are Sikhs. Turbans should not be removed and searched,” Towns said. Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Linda Rutherford, while admitting that the incident had to do with “passenger profiling,” claimed that the rules had to do with either what a passenger wears or what he looks like, but placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Aviation Administration for these new rules, the Congressman added. “If that is true,” Towns said, “the FAA should be ashamed of themselves. They have institutionalized racial profiling as a part of their antiterrorism policy.” However, the lawmaker said, “If it is the airline’s policy, then decent Americans should flood Southwest Airlines’ headquarters with protests.” “We must not allow racial, religious or ethnic profiling,” Towns argued, and said it is imperative that “airport ground crews be prohibited from stopping Sikh passengers and searching their religiously-mandated turbans.” “This kind of discrimination is never acceptable,” he said, and called on Attorney General John Ashcroft and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta “to look into this matter and stop this harassment of Sikhs Americans immediately.” In recent weeks, Dr. Jasjit Ahluwalia, Chair and Director of Research, Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Director, Cancer Prevention, at the Kansas Cancer Institute was asked to remove his turban as he was trying to get on a flight to Brazil to attend a conference. The same fate awaited Gurmeet Singh, a computer consultant who was asked to remove his turban at the Albany, New York, airport. Manjit Singh, president of Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force said his group had received at least a dozen reports of Sikhs being harassed and told to remove their turbans at airport security points across the country. He was convinced there were many more cases but these incidents may not have been reported or are underreported. The one consolation in the cases of Ahluwalia and Gurmeet Singh was that the security personnel had the sensitivity to take them to a private area where they could remove their turbans and be patted down. But Kohli and Kahlon were not so lucky and humiliated in full view of other passengers. Article from India Abroad
Germantown, MD — The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights advocacy group, encourages all Sikh Americans to publicize Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurb on November 30, 2001, with their local media outlets and to educate local communities about Sikhism. On Friday, November 30, Sikh Americans across the nation will be gathering in local Gurdwaras or at other events to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurb. This is an excellent opportunity to educate your neighbors, schools, and friends about Sikhism and the importantance of this day for Sikh Americans. SMART also encourages Sikhs to contact their local media outlets and encourage them to write stories about this day and Sikhism. SMART recommends community members to submit the below provided brief paragraph explaining the Gurpurb event along with a deXion about Guru Nanak to their local news paper’s calendar of religious events: “On Friday, November 30, 2001, the Sikh Community of XXXX [REPLACE XXXX WITH YOUR CITY’S NAME] will celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder and the first of ten Gurus (divinely inspired prophet-teachers) of the Sikh religion. The three basic tenets of Sikhism, as declared by Guru Nanak, are: (1) earn your livelihood with honesty, (2) constantly remember God through devotion and activism and (3) share your earnings with the needy. The Guru, who was exceedingly tolerant of other faiths, embraced the entire humanity as the children of one God.” After September 11, 2001, many people have ignorantly mistaken Sikhs for Muslims, Arab Americans or the terrorists associated with the attacks on New York and Washington. This is one way for Sikh Americans to educate their communities about themselves and Sikhism. SMART also encourages Sikh Americans to distribute information about Sikhism at their local Gurdwaras, schools, businesses and workplaces.
Washington, DC — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued a new set of directives today that specifically address the issue of racial profiling and turban-searches facing Sikh Americans at airports. This new guidance explicitly explains the importance of the Sikh turban and kirpan, and describes how to be sensitive and respectful during conducting search of Sikh American passengers at airport security. In its ongoing efforts to help the federal government understand Sikhism, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights advocacy group, has been closely working with and providing comments to the Department of Transportation and FAA on these guidelines and directives. The new guidelines are aimed at stopping the current “turban removal and searches” that occur at airports, and help Sikh Americans feel comfortable to fly again. They clearly state that profiling a Sikh for wearing a turban, including extra searches beyond those done to non-turbaned people, and asking Sikhs to remove their turban, is illegal. The guideline states: “Persons or their property may not be subjected to inspection, search and/or detention solely because they appear…Sikh. Individuals MAY NOT be selected for additional screening based solely on appearance or dress. Selecting a man for screening solely because he is wearing a turban, as some Sikh men and women do, is UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION.” They also clearly explain the kirpan and allow small kirpans worn around the neck in and beyond the security area. “A kirpan is a sheathed sword…[and] is a mandatory article of faith for initiated Sikhs…almost always carried on the person. Some Sikhs wear mini-kirpans…that are not knives on necklaces. These mini-kirpans….are permitted beyond screener checkpoints.” All regular kirpans must be checked in carry-on luggage.
Washington, D.C.– The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights advocacy group, gave a presentation to staff members from the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and the Department of Transportation on Thursday, November 15, 2001. This presentation was part of SMART’s ongoing efforts to educate the federal government about Sikh Americans and to inform these agencies about Sikhism, how the attacks of September 11, 2001 have affected the Sikh community, and solutions to address the concerns of Sikh Americans. The presentation offered a background on Sikhism, discussed common stereotypes or mis-perceptions of Sikhs and ways that federal law enforcement agencies could help to address the issues of the Sikh community while still maintaining security measures across the nation. The SMART presenter spoke at length with the attendees about the five Sikh articles of faith, giving special attention to the kirpan and turban. He also spoke on the difference between Sikhs, and other commonly associated religions and cultural groups, stressing Sikh’s separate identity from Hindus, Muslims, and especially the Taliban. The meeting was highly successful; those in attendance were highly receptive and asked many questions. SMART believes that the most effective way to prevent further incidents of harassment, especially around security issues, is to continue to educate federal agencies about the Sikh articles of faith, and the need to be sensitive when dealing with Sikh Americans. SMART will continue to offer these presentations to other federal agencies in the future. Please visit SMART’s web site at www.saldef.org for more information on SMART, and its previous presentations and trainings after September 11, 2001.
WASHINGTON, DC – Sikh Americans met on November 1, 2001 with DC Mayor Anthony Williams and DC Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi to thank them for their leadership and to discuss anti-Sikh intolerance incidents that have been occurring in the aftermath of September 11 terrorist attacks. The hour long meeting focused on Sikh concerns in the District of Columbia and the Mayor’s efforts to promote tolerance and combat discrimination against Sikh Americans. Sikh Americans were represented by local Sikh leaders, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) a Sikh civil-rights advocacy group, the Sikh American Association, and a Sikh Coalition member. The groups also expressed concern over potential discrimination in housing and employment areas against affected communities. Mayor Williams agreed to work closely with area Sikhs in the education and awareness training of all district employees, including law enforcement, public school, and public transit officials. The Mayor also expressed happiness about DC Police Chief Ramsey’s decision to open employment to Sikhs to the DC Police Department. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor agreed to continue to work together with the Sikh American community, to protect its interests, and to proactively work with the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia to prevent hate crimes from occurring.
Germantown, MD – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American civil rights advocacy group, advises all Sikhs traveling on a commercial aircraft in the United States that the carrying of a kirpan on the individual’s person or carry-on luggage is prohibited by law. The applicable federal regulation states: ” . . . no aircraft operator may permit any person to have a deadly or dangerous weapon, on or about the individual’s person or accessible property when onboard an aircraft.” 14 C.F.R. § 108.201(e) A kirpan, regardless of the size or sharpness of the blade, will be viewed by airport security authorities as a dangerous weapon. Therefore, any person wishing to transport a kirpan in the course of their air travel should place it in their check-in luggage. Small kirpan lockets are less likely to be classified as a weapon, but the airport authorities are granted the discretion to make this determination at the time of inspection. This being the case, Amritdhari Sikhs should be prepared to check in kirpan lockets as well, if requested to do so. Contact SMART to file a report if you were prevented from wearing your 5 K’s other than a kirpan, for reasons stated above.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ — “We will not allow the brutal attacks of September 11 to divide our nation with hate and bigotry,” was the message delivered at a lunchtime rally at The National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in an event organized by a small grassroots group of South Asian and Asian Pacific American men and women. Following a moment of silence in respect for the victims of last week’s attack, Amber Khan addressed the rally, delivering a message of sorrow and solidarity. “We stand here together because we will not allow the perpetrators of violence to hijack our trust and faith in each other, we will not allow them to hijack our commitment to the principles and values that make our nation, a land of immigrants strong — tolerance for difference, belief in the inalienable human dignity and worth of each person, passion for creating a more justice society, and an unwavering commitment to liberty and freedom,” said Amber Khan, a Muslim activist of South Asian descent from Montgomery County, Md. More than 200 diverse community leaders, federal employees, grassroots activists, veterans and other concerned Americans stood shoulder to shoulder to call for unity in this time of great sorrow and to not allow bigotry and hate to tear the fabric of our society. The crowd, reflecting the diversity of America, included Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, African Americans, South Asians, Christian leaders and many others. Invoking the lessons of history from World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Karen Narasaki, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium and whose parents were interned, spoke passionately about the need for us to learn from history. “Standing here today, while we grieve the terrible loss of life and the awful toll on the families of the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks, let us take to heart the lessons of World War II when my parents and hundreds of other Japanese American families were herded behind barbed wire simply because they happened to look like the enemy,” said Narasaki. Sharing stories of fear and the isolation experienced by the Muslim, Arab and Sikh communities, Sharifa Al-Khateeb of the North American Council for Muslim Women, James Zogby of the Arab American Institute and Tejpal Singh Chawla expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support by the larger community and urged fellow Americans to remain united and vigilant against ethnic scapegoating by speaking out against all forms of bigotry. This theme was echoed by all speakers. “In the wake of the tragedy that occurred last week, I urge you — community leaders, parents, teachers, the media and our elected officials — to send the message that as Americans, we cannot and should not afford to condone or tolerate any incidence of discrimination or bias against anyone. Such acts go against the grain of the ideals of freedom and equality on which our country thrives and threaten our civil and human rights as Americans,” said Deepa Iyer, board member of the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow. The event concluded with the powerful image of Japanese American and Filipino American Veterans of World War II leading the rally in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. For press statements from the event see contact information above. Organizations represented at today’s event included: — American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) — American Humanist Association — American Muslim Council (AMC) — Arab American Institute (AAI) — Asian American Student Association, University of Maryland, College Park — Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum — Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies — Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) — Asian/Pacific Islander-Domestic Violence Resource Project (A/PI-DVRP) — Bharti Association of Montgomery County Maryland — Bridge 2050 — Coordinating Council of American Muslim Organizations — Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) — Democratic National Committee — Hmong National Development, Inc. (HND) — Human Rights Campaign — Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) — Iranian Student Association, U of MD, College Park — Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) — Japanese American Veterans Association — Korean American Coalition (KAC) — Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) — NAACP — National Asian Pacific American Bar Association — National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium (NAPALC), — National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum — National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development — National Council of Asian Pacific Americans — National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) — National Japanese American Memorial Foundation — Network of South Asian Professionals — North American Council for Muslim Women (NACMW) — Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) — People For the American Way — Project IMPACT — Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) — South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) — South Asian Bar Association (SABA) — South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA) — Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) — The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) — United Jain and Hindu Temple Association of Metro Washington — White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — Young Muslim Professional Women, Inc.
Germantown, MD – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American civil rights advocacy group, is collecting information on Sikh media outlets, including web sites, newspapers, magazines, local television shows and radio shows. A form is provided at the end of this message to submit information about Sikh-run media outlets. Please complete the form and email it to info@saldef.org FORM ==== Name: Address: Tel: Fax: Email: Web Site: Name of Publisher/Producer: Language: __ English __ Punjabi __ Both __ Other (specify) FOR PRINT MEDIA OUTLETS: Type of Publication: __ Weekly __ Monthly __ Quaterly __ Other (specify) FOR BROADCAST MEDIA OUTLETS (TV/RADIO) Air Times: TV Channel or Radio Frequency (list all): ### END ###
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ — As the nation recovers from the devastating events of Sept. 11, the country has witnessed an outpouring of goodwill from millions of people who have volunteered their time, donated their money or given their blood to help in the relief efforts. And while the nation has soared to new heights of charity, the underside of a few has resulted in hate attacks perpetrated on people thought to be of Arab descent or Muslim faith. To help in the healing, 150 religious, philanthropic, civil rights, and other nonprofit organizations declared in a statement released today their commitment to embracing diversity and redoubling efforts to address poverty and injustice. Signers of the statement, led by INDEPENDENT SECTOR, include faith-based groups such as the Islamic Society of North America, United Jewish Communities, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, and The Interfaith Alliance; companies such as AOL Time Warner Foundation, Verizon Foundation, and DuPont; and other charitable organizations and foundations such as Goodwill Industries International, American Cancer Society, National Council of La Raza, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The statement, entitled “Upholding Our Values,” states that: — We recommit ourselves to building bonds of trust and embracing diversity in our nation and around the world. — We will redouble our efforts to address poverty, inequity and injustice. — We will be a constant voice speaking out for the fundamental values of freedom, justice, community and respect that have guided our country for more than 200 years. Upholding Our Values also pays tribute to the rescuers and millions of people who have joined together to help, while calling for the perpetrators and their supporters to be brought to justice in a carefully targeted and sustained manner. The full text of the statement and a full list of signatory organizations is available at www.IndependentSector.org. INDEPENDENT SECTOR will continue to add signatures to the statement. “One of the most tragic moments in American history has produced a sterling example of the commitment of the nonprofit community to help the needy and comfort the bereaved,” said Sara E. Melendez, president and CEO of INDEPENDENT SECTOR. “Nonprofits have been at the forefront of relief efforts as America begins the arduous task of rebuilding and will remain there to help shepherd the nation through the healing process.” In the wake of Sept. 11, the nonprofit community has rededicated itself not only to helping the nation in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, but to continuing its ongoing work to end poverty and racism, speak out for justice, provide a place for worship of all faiths, enrich lives through art and music, educate children, care for the environment, and a host of other activities. Nationwide, there are 734,000 501(c)(3) organizations and 354,000 religious congregations working to make communities across the nation and around the world better places to live. INDEPENDENT SECTOR’s Web site at www.IndependentSector.org includes dozens of examples of the variety of ways nonprofit organizations, foundations and companies are mobilizing volunteers and providing services to give immediate and long-term help, from tips for helping children cope to emergency shelter, from scholarship funds to resources on promoting tolerance. “Through this event, we have witnessed the strength and unity of our country and learned that each one of us is connected to each other. It is the hope of NCLR that the legacy of September 11 strengthens the ties of tolerance and freedom that bind us as Americans,” said Raul Yzaguirre, president, National Council of La Raza. The outpouring of individual and corporate gifts in the days since Sept. 11 has reached more than $675 million, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. “In these dark hours we can be proud of the generosity of all Americans who now join together to help where they can,” said Stephen Hoffman, CEO, United Jewish Communities. “We stand committed to repair and renewal in the months and years ahead.” Nonprofit leaders are also calling on the nation to remember the great needs in every community. “While it’s a new world in many ways, it is still the same world in many ways, with the same day-to-day needs of individuals, children, families and communities,” said Peter B. Goldberg, president and CEO, Alliance for Children and Families, and chairperson, INDEPENDENT SECTOR. “I hope the great spirit of giving, volunteering and compassion will continue, as the needs continue, months and years ahead. We’re a truly caring nation. May that caring know no end.” The impact of Sept. 11 will be a major focus of the nonprofit community when it gathers at INDEPENDENT SECTOR’s Annual Conference, Nov. 4 – 6 in Atlanta. — A full press kit is available at www.IndependentSector.org, including the full statement, a list of signatory organizations, quotes from many nonprofit leaders, and examples of what nonprofits are doing to help. INDEPENDENT SECTOR is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 700 national non-profit organizations, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups every state across the nation. Its mission is to promote, strengthen, and advance the nonprofit and philanthropic community to foster private initiative for the public good. US Newswire