Who can make the Sikh American voice heard? You. ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 8—Register to Vote Today! Protect Your Rights on Election Day Voter Rights Information – in English and Punjabi Voter Protection Hotline and Legal Aid – Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights 1-866-OUR-VOTE Quarter Sheet handouts (in English & Punjabi) – Full page (four to a page) and 4.25″x5.5″ You can do a lot in your own community to empower Sikhs across America. One of the easiest things to do is encouraging people to vote. Why should you? In 1923 the Supreme Court said Sikh Americans could not become citizens — we could not vote and were denied a voice in our country. Today, we have the right to vote, the right to share our voice and determine the direction of our nation. By voting, we can influence the decisions our elected officials make which impact our rights. Increasing the number of Sikh Americans registered to vote is one of the best ways to build and strengthen our community’s voice, presence and political capacity. But how do you do it? Join SikhVOTE! Volunteer at a registration drive or register new Sikh American voters at your local Gurdwara and encourage registered Sikh Americans to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2015. You will find a series of tools and information updated through Election Day for you to use. If you have any questions, send us an email. Tools & Resources SikhVOTE Voter Registration Toolkit Online Registration Widget Calendar, Deadlines & State Information Resources SikhVOTE Voter Registration Toolkit SikhVOTE Volunteer Voter Registration Toolkit – download here Election Day & Know Your Rights Poster (in English & Punjabi) – download here Survey & Pledge to Vote – download here Email Sign Up Sheet – download here Voter Rights Information – in English and Punjabi Quarter Sheet handouts (in English & Punjabi) – Full page (four to a page) and 4.25″x5.5″ Sample gurdwara announcement (in English & Punjabi) – download here Online Registration Widget 
Want to put an online registration widget on your website? Get it here. Resources National Voter Registration Form – http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx Instructions for the National Voter Registration Form in Punjabi (unofficial) – download here Absentee Ballot Information – http://www.longdistancevoter.org/absentee_ballots State Specific Information – http://www.rockthevote.com/election-center/ Voter Protection Hotline, Legal Aid, and Resources – http://www.866ourvote.org/ State Voter ID Laws – http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx APALC – www.apalc.org APIAVote – www.apiavote.org 18 Million Rising – www.18mr.org SikhVOTE is a project of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) with the purpose of empowering Sikh American voters. SALDEF is a 501(c)3 non-partisan organization that does not advocate on behalf of any party, candidate, or campaign. Use of these materials does not constitute an endorsement by SALDEF.
SikhVOTE
SALDEF Conducts Cultural Awareness Presentation for Baltimore Office of EEOC On March 28th, SALDEF conducted a cultural awareness presentation for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) District Office in Baltimore, MD. The entire Baltimore staff was invited to attend. Participants were informed about the Sikh faith and religious practices through these trainings, along with providing recommendations for interacting with the Sikh American community. SALDEF staff discussed the various employment related challenges faced by the Sikh American community and shared examples of cases from different industries and professions. SALDEF believes that through these trainings, employment discrimination cases against Sikh Americans will be more effectively and efficiently handled. To read about our recent engagement with EEOC offices in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, click here. SALDEF Attends Congressional Forum About Racial Profiling and Shooting of Trayvon Martin On March 28, SALDEF staff attended a Congressional Forum addressing racial profiling, federal hate crimes enforcement and issues surrounding the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, in an effort to support the call for a full investigation by the Department of Justice into this tragic death. On February 26 2012, Trayvon Martin, 17, was walking in a gated neighborhood in Sanford, Florida. He was returning to his father’s house after buying a bag of candy and a can of iced tea from a local convenience store. George Zimmerman, a neighborhood crime watch volunteer, said Martin looked “suspicious” and decided to follow and confront Martin against the instructions of a 911 police dispatcher. The exact chain of events following this confrontation is not fully known. What is known, however, is that Zimmerman shot and killed Martin. Although a homicide occurred, the Sanford Police Department chose not to press charges or arrest Zimmerman because he claimed he shot Martin in self defense. Many argue that Martin was racially profiled and targeted because of the way he looked – the color of his skin, and the clothes he was wearing. SALDEF believes racial profiling is wrong and ineffective. Support the End Racial Profiling Act here by notifying your Senator/Congressman. SALDEF Joins Other Organizations in Support of Immigration and Civil Rights SALDEF joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Southern Poverty Law Center and over 100 other local and national civil rights and faith groups, have signed-on to an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief argues that Arizona’s S.B. 1070, an anti-immigration bill, and copycat bills passed in other states, fundamentally conflicts with federal law and would have an unprecedented negative impact on the lives of American citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as many others living in the U.S. legally. Recounting real-life examples, the brief documents how law-abiding Americans, particularly minorities, will now be subject to constant scrutiny, lengthy detentions, and false arrests. Additionally, SALDEF has signed-on to a letter drafted by the Rights Working Group asking Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice to revise the June 2003 Guidance Regarding the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. The June 2003 Guidance is in need of revision as it does not prohibit profiling based on religion or national origin and contains loopholes in the context of border and national security. 2012 Sikh American Pocket Calendars Still Available This handy resource can be used in your local community to educate and increase awareness of Sikhs and Sikhi. The calendars feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States. On the inside, the cards have a 2012 calendar in an easy-to-use design. Sikhs across the nation have distributed them at their workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, senior citizens centers, and public libraries. The calendars are available in bundles of 100 for $10 plus shipping and handling. . SALDEF Invited by DHS Secretary to Participate in Faith Based Advisory Council At the request of Secretary Napolitano, a faith based advisory council comprised of leaders from state and local government, the private sector, and academia was created to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on matters related to homeland security. The Council has been tasked to explore current and potential security enhancement opportunities and methods between DHS and the faith-based communities. It will address how DHS can best support local security officers and organizations” efforts to keep faith-based communities safe, secure, and resilient. SALDEF Conducts Training of Transit Police Academy in Massachusetts Bay SALDEF Attends White House Event With First Lady Interested in Working in the World of Intelligence? Interested in obtaining an exciting job that requires a security clearance? CAPAL and the Sejong Society will be holding an informative discussion with representatives from the CIA, other government agencies, and private sector organizations in order to provide interested individuals with necessary information on how to apply and acquire such jobs. These agencies will also have job recruiters present and will be collecting resumes. Please RSVP if you plan to attend the event by Tuesday April 10 by clicking here. The event is on Thursday April, 12 from 6-8:30 pm at the Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington, DC. Upcoming Events
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Educate your neighbors, friends, and co-workers about Sikh Americans in an easy, informative way through our annual pocket calendars.
In their ninth year of production, the 2012 calendars feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States. In a new folded style, the cards have a 2012 calendar in an easy-to-use design that fits the sizing of standard business cards.
To reach out even more effectively, Spanish language versions are also available.
The annual SALDEF Pocket Calendars have already been widely distributed; today! This handy resource can be used in your local community to educate and increase awareness of Sikhs and Sikhi.
| “The pocket calendars are a great way to introduce myself to my customers. They are a must have for all Sikh businesses.”
– Oregon Small |
The calendars are perfect for distribution at your workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, restaurants, senior citizens centers, or public libraries. Sikhs across the nation have shared them with their friends, neighbors, customers, and local officials.
SALDEF encourages the Sikh American community to take initiative in informing and educating others about their culture and faith.
The calendars are available in bundles of 100 for $10 plus shipping and handling fees.
• Las Vegas Police Department and SALDEF Partner on Training • Law Enforcement Training a Success in Birmingham, AL • SALDEF Presents to Office of Director of National Intelligence • TAKE ACTION: End Racial Profiling • SALDEF Attends TSA Coalition Conference • Gates Millennium Scholarship Now Accepting Applications • Follow Us on Twitter • Upcoming Events Las Vegas Police Department and SALDEF Partner to Develop Training Program Earlier this fall, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and SALDEF partnered to create a one of its kind cultural awareness training program for the LVMPD. The LVMPD Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center (SNCTC), the Sikh American community of the greater Las Vegas area, and SALDEF, came together to develop a cultural awareness training course to introduce and inform local law enforcement officials about the Sikh American community and their cultural practices. To read more, click here. Law Enforcement Training a Success in Birmingham, AL
Navtej Singh, SALDEF’s Southeastern Regional Director, conducted a Law Enforcement Partnership Program training for officers across Alabama on September 20, 2011. The training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges Sikh Americans face on a daily basis. Participants watched On Common Ground, a training film co-produced by SALDEF and the Department of Justice, to help articulate the steps officers can take to identify and respect members of the Sikh faith. SALDEF Presents to Office of Director of National Intelligence 
In September, SALDEF Policy Advisor, Navdeep Singh, made a presentation to leaders of the National Intelligence Community about Sikh Americans at a meeting hosted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He covered the history of Sikhs in the United States and provided an overview of Sikh beliefs. He also discussed how Sikh Americans can be an asset to the United States national security and intelligence communities and shared ways in which the government can engage, interact, and recruit more effectively from the community. TAKE ACTION: End Racial Profiling The End Racial Profiling Act was recently introduced to the Senate. This landmark legislation aims to eliminate racial and religious profiling that has singled out various minority communities, including Sikh Americans, in the United States. Send a message to your Senators asking them to co-sponsor the bill. SALDEF Attends TSA Coalition Conference 
On September 7, 2011, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Office of Civil Rights and Liberties held their 9th annual Coalition Conference. Various community groups were in attendance for this conference in which information regarding screening practices, policies, and initiatives were discussed. In addition, community groups were given the opportunity to address their concerns with current and future TSA programs. Gates Millennium Scholarship Now Accepting Applcations For students entering college for the first time in Fall 2012, the GMS 2012 Scholarship Application online process is now open. The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST. GMS will select 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. The Gates Millennium Scholars are provided with personal and professional development through the GMS leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career. Find more information on their website here. Follow us on Twitter
Become a follower of SALDEF on Twitter and get real-time updates about current events in the Sikh American community, issues we are working on, and meetings we are attending. Check out our recent activity and follow us at twitter.com/saldef. Upcoming Events: * Nagar Kirtan–Yuba City, CA– November 6th * SikhLens Film Festival-– Orange County, CA– November 18-20th * Know Your Rights Forum— Buena Park, CA– December 4th * Know Your Rights Forum–San Jose, CA–December 11th
 (Washington, DC, 10/18/2011) – Earlier this fall, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and SALDEF partnered to create a one of its kind cultural awareness training program for the LVMPD. The online training module is based on the Law Enforcement Partnership Program developed by SALDEF in 1999, and includes video and imagery of On Common Ground, a law enforcement training video developed by SALDEF and the United States Department of Justice. The LEPP training program has been used by numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement departments, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the entire Washington Metropolitan Police Department and Boston Police Department. Beginning in January 2011, the LVMPD Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center (SNCTC), the Sikh American community of the greater Las Vegas area, and SALDEF, came together to develop a cultural awareness training course to introduce and inform local law enforcement officials about the Sikh American community and their cultural practices. The training was also specifically tailored to the needs of Las Vegas area law enforcement for the likely interactions they may have in the course of their duties.  “I am proud of our long standing tradition in providing the best possible cultural awareness training to our organization” said Doug Gillespie, Sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. “Our valued collaboration with SALDEF has produced a unique and informative curriculum which will serve to strengthen our partnership with the Sikh American community.” “We are pleased to partner with the LVMPD as they continue to play a leading role in developing best practices for the law enforcement community”, said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “Cultural awareness training breaks down barriers of communication, leads to better policing, and creates a stronger relationship between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.” SALDEF would like to applaud Sheriff Gillespie and Detective Kenneth Mead for their leadership and partnership in this initiative, and hope that this collaboration serves as a model showing the need for and benefit of, collaboration between law enforcement and the Sikh American community across the country. If you would like to work with your local law enforcement department on a similar initiative, please contact SALDEF.
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Midwest University Tour Creates Awareness and Highlights Post 9/11 Challenges
Washington DC; September 27, 2011 – Earlier this month, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) was invited to participate in a series of presentations and panel discussions at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the University of Indiana-Bloomington. On September 6th, speaking as part of the Food for Thought discussion series at the Asian American Cultural Center of the University of Illinois, SALDEF Associate Executive Director, Jasjit Singh, provided the over 100 attendees, comprised of students and faculty, with an introduction to Sikh Americans and the challenges Sikh Americans have faced post 9/11. Later that day, SALDEF participated in the Interfaith Speaker Series hosted by the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations. The Interfaith Speaker Series featured a panel of representatives from several faiths and focused on the topic of what “service” means in each faith. Mr. Singh spoke of the prominent place ‘service’ has in the Sikh scriptures (Gurbani) and throughout Sikh history. The panel discussion was followed by a lively question and answer session. Then, on September 7th, the University of Indiana, hosted an interfaith panel to discuss the impact of 9/11 on religious communities. Some of the topics included the changes in America since 9/11, media reports and the rise against multiculturalism, and how the events of 9/11 affected the United States in terms of diversity education. If you would like SALDEF to make a presentation about the Sikh religion and Sikh American civil rights issues to your college, law school, or graduate school, please contact us via email.
The role of media in creating and reinforcing stereotypes. The issues surrounding the hyphenated name. The irony in America’s tendency to attract so many immigrants to the country while simultaneously pushing them away. These were just some of the topics covered by last week’s religious pluralism forum hosted by the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission. SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh shared the Sikh perspective on a panel that included representatives from the Coptic, Muslim, Armenian Christian, and Israeli Jewish communities. The evening was a great exercise in discussing the ways in which such diverse communities can agree on certain issues for the ultimate benefit of all their communities. Approximately 40% of the Los Angeles population is foreign born, yet these immigrants are vital to the functioning of the city, filling jobs and contributing to the economy. However, their ethnic and religious backgrounds often cause others to undermine their value. The panel moderator, Brie Loskota, noted that such a high percentage reminds us of the image of America reaching out and welcoming immigrant communities with one hand and pushing away immigrants who test acceptable boundaries with the other. Thus, those with foreign backgrounds would fare far better when working together with their fellow “hyphenated Americans” than working alone. And during the course of the evening, quite a bit of attention was given to the idea of the hyphenated Americans. One woman asked why there was even a need to even identify oneself as a “Sikh-American” or a “Coptic-American,” and so on. We are all Americans, why the need to indicate a more specific identity? I believe Kavneet Singh answered this question most adequately – we shouldn’t think of the hyphenation as something negative; we should think of it as something being added to being American. Hyphenations do not take away from being American, but add to the diversity that marks the uniqueness of America. There is a difference between acculturation and assimilation that is critical to the hyphenated name. To lose Coptic-, Sikh-, Christian-, Chinese-, Israeli-, is to lose part of one’s history, culture and background. Acculturation to American values and way of life is different from assimilation. To assimilate is to forget roots and history of an ethnic or religious background, and without individuals’ pride in their ties to a certain history, America would be much less interesting place. Religious pluralism, thus, is not only a matter of recognizing and merely tolerating other religions. It is the acceptance of other 
religions and the ability to be open-minded towards working with one another to reach goals such as religious freedom in the workplace or the ability to wear religious headdress as a teacher. Many religions face similar problems. Ms. Loskota pointed out that if you want to get a temperature reading of Islamaphobia, ask a Sikh. The targets of many hate-motivated attacks are based on a highly biased perceptions, perpetrated by media, of who the “enemy” is – identified as turbaned, Muslim fundamentalists. Thus anyone that looks Middle Eastern and anyone with religious headdress is targeted and because 97% of those who wear turbans in America are Sikhs, they are especially stereotyped as threats. The media, probably the most powerful tool in creating such biased stereotypes, had done very little to change such biases. Even to this day, major news stations will use images of Sikhs in conjunction with reports about terrorists in the Middle East. The misrecognition and blatant disregard for reality runs deep. That is why it is up to targeted communities to work together and rally behind this idea of religious pluralism in order to create change and overcome the negative perceptions about those who look different from the average Caucasian American, have foreign accents, or alternative religious practices. The forum was a small but very positive step in a direction of needed change in America’s perceptions of the unknown. I commend SALDEF for contributing to the evening and hope that the Sikh community can continue to be involved with discussions such as these in the future.
Coming to you from 634 S Spring Street, Jasleen K Singh
Since 2008, Sahaj Singh Khalsa, a Sikh American paramedic from New Mexico, has been discriminated against by his employer because of his mandated religious identity. Mr. Khalsa has endured disparaging remarks and threats, and, in one incident, was even physically assaulted. The hospital administration targeted him by suddenly implementing a “no-beards” policy in retaliation for his complaints, telling Mr. Khalsa he must either shave or lose his job. Show solidarity with Mr. Khalsa – nearly 1000 letters have already been sent demanding religious accommodation. Take action now! 
On May 6, 2011, Navtej Singh Khalsa presented at the Law Enforcement Training Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL to 65 representatives of the Sheriff’s Hate Crimes Task Force, the US Attorney’s offices, and local police departments. The training, entitled Building Cultural Competence: Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans, provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges Sikh Americans face. The presentation included a viewing of SALDEF’s training video On Common Ground, which was co-produced with the Department of Justice. 
A presentation, part of an on-going discussion about diversity and religion, was delivered on June 2, 2011, by Jaswant Singh Chani at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Jaswant presented on the cultural, religious, and historical traditions of the Sikhs to an audience of over 100 faculty members. To read more, click here. Please contact us if you would like SALDEF to conduct a presentation in your community. 
On May 17, SALDEF hosted and presented at the Department of Homeland Security Community Roundtable in Los Angeles, CA. The meeting, held annually in DC and LA, gives community organizations and government agencies the opportunity to discuss current issues and government policies. SALDEF welcomed over 80 participants at our newly opened Southern California office, and spoke to the group about the success of our Law Enforcement Partnership Program (LEPP) over the past ten years. 
The Bhujangi Academy is a ten day outdoor camp for boys, ages 13-16, to provide life skills, goals, and expectations, while connecting them to their roots and heritage. The program is directed toward young men that are: having problems in school or with family, exhibiting low self-esteem and/or low motivation, making poor peer and relationship choices, defiant of authority, refusing to take responsibility, or experimenting with drugs or alcohol. The camp will be held from August 1-10, 2011. Trained professionals, youth role models, and invited guests will all make this a life-changing event that the young men in our community will not want to miss. To register, apply to volunteer, or for more information, click here. 
Khoj has announced three scholarships, worth $1000 each, for undergraduate students. The scholarships award students who have demonstrated humanitarian, academic, or all-around excellence. Applicants must be 17-25 years of age, currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at a four year institution, and a U.S. resident. The application, which can be downloaded here, must be submitted by July 1, 2011. Upcoming Events
- Religious Pluralism: Shaping the American Identity – Van Nuys, CA, June 22
- Know Your Rights Forum – Fresno, CA, June 26
- Worship & The Workplace: A Panel Discussion – San Diego, CA, July 12
- Sikh Awareness Presentation to Transit Police Head Office – Boston, MA, July 13
Order Your 2011 Sikh American Pocket Calendars Today!
It”s not too late to for SALDEF’s Sikh Awareness Pocket Calendars. This handy resource can be used in your local community to educate and increase awareness of Sikhs and Sikhi. The calendars feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States. On the back, the cards have a 2011 calendar in an easy-to-use design. Sikhs across the nation have distributed them at their workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, senior citizens centers, and public libraries.
SALDEF Trains Fire Department in Maryland
SALDEF conducted a Sikh Awareness Training last month for 50 members of the Howard CountyFire and Rescue Team in Maryland. The presentation introduced audience members to Sikh beliefs and practices and was followed by a lively question and answer session. Participants were given supplementary resources produced by SALDEF, including Who are the Sikhs brochures.
SALDEF Meets with U.S. Attorneys
SALDEF met with 23 U.S. Attorneys last month to discuss best practices for outreach to the Sikh, Arab-American, Muslim, and South Asian communities. During the meeting, which was organized by the Department of Justice, SALDEF highlighted the need for the U.S. Attorney’s to increasingly engage with the Sikh American community, especially due to the rise in hate crimes against Sikh Americans. Participants were given a copy of SALDEF’s law enforcement training video, On Common Ground.
Presentations to Youth in Texas and California
In the past month, SALDEF volunteers delivered presentations developed by SALDEF to students. In San Antonio, Texas, Juspreet Kaur gave an introduction to the Sikh faith to elementary school students. In San Joaquin, California, SALDEF Volunteer Attorney Raj Singh Badesha gave an anti-bullying presentation to 80 Sikh kids, during which bullying, peer pressure, and ignorance were discussed. If you would like similar resources and presentations to educate students in your community, please contact us at info@saldef.org.
Executive Director Position Open
SALDEF is currently seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to fill the position of Executive Director. The successful candidate will give vision and leadership to strategic and day-to-day program implementation, as well as execute the goals and objectives of the organization. The Executive Director will be responsible for giving direction to the staff and work closely with the Board to further the mission of SALDEF. For more details, click here.
Support the Sixth River Film – Chhevan Dariya
, a film by Ish Amitoj Kaur and Noor Nissan Productions, is now available for purchase for $10. This quality film subtley examines contemporary social problems affecting Sikhs in Punjab through a compelling and engaging plot. The film effectively draws attention to issues such as female feticide, drug abuse and the drug mafia, and the alarming rate of AIDS in Punjab. The message of the story is one of optimism in that the Diaspora will revitalize Punjab as its “sixth river.” To support this endeavor and purchase your copy, please click .
Fred Korematsu Day Celebration in California
Celebrate the first Fred Korematsu Day on January 30, 2011 at UC Berkeley’s Wheeler Auditorium! The program includes keynote speaker Reverend Jesse Jackson, spoken word artist Beau Sia, as well as tributes from Karen Korematsu and California Assembly Members Warren Furutani and Marty Block. SALDEF, an organizational co-sponsor of the event, encourages Sikh Americans in California to celebrate the life and work of this civil rights activist. To learn more about this historic event, click here.
Sikhs at a Glance
- 99 percent of people wearing turbans in the U.S. are Sikhs from South Asia
- Sikhs have been in the U.S. for over 100 years and currently there are approximately 700,000 Sikhs in the U.S.
- Sikhism is the world’s fifth largest religion with 25 million adherents worldwide
- Sikhs are involved in many aspects of American life working as teachers, doctors, law enforcement officers, and entrepreneurs
- Sikhs believe in one God, equality, freedom of religion, and community service
- Sikhs cover their uncut hair with a turban
- The Sikh turban represents a commitment to equality and justice
- Sikhism is a distinct religion, separate from Hinduism and Islam
The word “Sikh” means student. The almost 25 million Sikhs worldwide constitute the fifth largest religion in the world. Despite over a million Sikhs living in North America – USA and Canada, Sikhs are often confused as Arabs or Muslims. 
Sikhs arrived in North America in 1897 and played a pivotal role in the opening of the West and construction of the Panama Canal in 1904. In 1912, Sikhs established their first gurdwara, or place of worship, in the United States. Almost a million Americans and Canadians are Sikh and nearly every major city has a Sikh place of worship and community center. History and Beliefs The Sikh faith is over five hundred years old. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, taught a message of love. He spoke of a universal God, common to all mankind, not limited to any religion, nation, race, creed, color, or gender. The Sikh religion is strictly monotheistic, believing in one supreme Creator, free of gender, absolute, all-pervading, and eternal. Sikhism views life not as a fall from grace, but a unique opportunity to discover and develop the divinity in each of us. Human rights and justice form a cornerstone of Sikh belief, and Sikh history features coun
tless examples of Sikh Gurus and their followers making tremendous sacrifices for the cause of religious freedom and justice. More recently, Sikhs have been some of the most highly decorated soldiers of the British armed services during both World Wars. They played a significant role in the memorable battles of El Alamein in the Burma-China front and also in the allied assault in World War II. In India’s struggle for independence from the British, over two-thirds of all the Indians who were sentenced to life imprisonment or death were Sikh. This is in spite of the fact that Sikhs form less than two percent of India’s population. The Sikh Identity In 1699, the tenth and last living Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, summoned his followers to the town of Anandpur in Punjab; over 80,000 came. According to history, Guru Gobind Singh appeared before his people yielding a sword and demanded a head. He repeated his call until five Sikhs were willing to sacrifice themselves to the Guru. To these devoted five, and subsequently to many others on that historic day, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed a new discipline to his Sikhs, and formally initiated them into the new order of the Khalsa. In a dramatic and humble gesture, Guru Gobind Singh asked the five to in turn initiate him. On that day, he gave the Sikhs their modern form, which includes five articles of faith:
- uncut hair (kesh) as a gift of God and Guru and a mark of Sikh identity,
- a small comb (kanga) for the hair,
- a steel bracelet (kara) which signifies a reality with no beginning and no end, and also symbolizes a Sikh’s commitment to the ideals of his faith, much as wedding ring
might indicate fealty and identity, - a sword (kirpan) indicative of resolve and commitment to justice, and
- knee-length breeches (keshera) in keeping with the disciplined life-style of a Sikh.
For the past 300 years, male Sikhs have been easily recognized by their turbans, which cover their uncut hair, and beards. Notably, in traditional Indian society only males of high caste or the elite, ruling class wore turbans. Since Sikhs believe all humanity is equal, all Sikhs are encouraged to wear turbans as a testament to their innate royality. Sikh women adhere to the same life style, symbols, rules and conduct as men, but generally few women wear turbans. Young Sikh boys, instead of wearing a turban, often cover their uncut hair, which is tied in a top-knot with a simple piece of fabric. Along with the aforementioned physical identifiers, Guru Gobind Singh went further in distinguishing Sikhs. In Indian society, an individual’s name reveals one’s caste and social status. Guru Gobind Singh freed Sikhs from the rigid caste system by ordering all Sikh males to adopt the surname “Singh,” meaning lion, and women use the surname “Kaur,” meaning princess, so that they would be free from caste distinctions. Each year, Sikhs worldwide commemorate and celebrate the historic events of Vaisakhi 1699 as a milestone in Sikh history when Guru Gobind Singh decreed the formation o
f the Khalsa and fashioned the nation of Sikhs. The Sikh Scripture Guru Gobind Singh also decreed an end to the line of Gurus in human form. The writings of the earlier Gurus were collated along with those of Hindu and Muslim spiritual figures whose teachings strongly resonated with Sikh beliefs. This collection of writings is known as Guru Granth Sahib, a uniquely ecumenical and eclectic collection of spiritual writing. For Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is the repository of all spiritual knowledge and authority. In temporal matters all authority rests with the Sikh community worldwide acting democratically and in mindful prayer with an awareness of the spiritual heritage embodied in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikhs revere the ten Gurus, Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, because they delivered the divine word of the one, timeless God. The word “Guru” acquires, therefore, a very special meaning for Sikhs. It is reserved only for the ten Gurus who gave us the divine message codified in the Guru Granth Sahib. The Gurdwara The Sikh congregational place of worship, or gurdwara, is more than a place of worship. It has historically served as a refuge for the homeless and the destitute. Gurdwaras usually display the Nishan Sahib, a saffron-colored triangular flag bearing the khanda, the symbol of the Sikh faith.
Visitors, irrespective of their religion, are offered shelter, comfort and food. The prerequisites for entering a gurdwara are removing one’s shoes and covering one’s head with a handkerchief, scarf, or other cloth. 
Sikh gurdwaras all over the world usually run free community kitchens, which provide free meals to all. These kitchens are run and funded by volunteers. In traditional Indian society, people of high and low caste were rigidly segregated. To combat this social problem, the Sikh community kitchen, or langar, requires everyone to sit side by side and eat together, thereby teaching the concept of equality by shattering all barriers of caste and class. In a gurdwara, no special place or seat may be reserved or set aside for any dignitary, as all are considered equals. The service consists of singing of the liturgy, as well as the exposition of Sikh history, tradition, and theology. Non-Sikhs are always welcome. Every major city in the United States and Canada has Sikh gurdwaras and they are open to all. World View Sikhism is a practical religion and Sikhs are a pragmatic people. The emphasis is on a leading a worldly, successful life as a householder and a contributing member of society, but with the mind attuned to an awareness of God. Sikhism rejects all distinctions based on caste, creed, gender, 
color, race, or national origin. For Sikhs, God is not found in isolation or by renouncing the world, but is attained as an active family member and member of one’s community. The core values of Sikhism are derived from three equally important tenets: an honest living and an honest day’s work, sharing with others what God and life have given, and living life fully with an awareness of the divine within each of us. Sikhism enunciates a philosophical concept termed Miri-Piri, which means living a life with an active, strong sense of commitment to the world and humanity, governed and directed by a strong foundation and underpinning of spirituality. Thus, the Sikh ideal is to strike a perfect balance and integration of these two states of existence. In matters that affect the Sikh community, Sikhs have throughout history followed a simple but effective mechanism whereby individual voices are heard and decisions reflect the current state of knowledge, information, and technology. In all such matters, and in honor of the first five Sikhs who heeded the call of Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, the voice of the community is channeled through five Sikhs selected and authorized to resolve issues and speak as the voice of the community. Sikhs believe that God and Guru pervade the congregation when five Sikhs act in mindful prayer. Decision making, thus, becomes a collective process. Sikhs do not have a priestly hierarchy with its associated ecclesiastical authority. As a religion in which the Word is Guru, Sikhism values education, yet recognizes that the ultimate reality is such that our senses cannot perceive it and our intellect cannot fathom it, but our souls can commune with it. Women
The Sikh faith is committed to the equality of women, and necessarily so, as it defines God as gender neutral, perhaps one of the few major world religions to do so. There is no activity in a gurdwara or within the community that is permitted to a man but not to a woman. There is no religious function from which women are barred at any time of their lives. Dietary Restrictions Sikhs have no food taboos except those that stem from one simple injunction – a life of moderation in which all that harms the body or the mind is avoided. Animal sacrifice is forbidden and so is the consumption of animals killed in such manner, such as halal meat. Some Sikhs choose a vegetarian lifestyle. This also means that all intoxicants – tobacco, alcohol or any mind altering “recreational” drugs – are forbidden. Other Religions Sikhism recognizes the universal truths that underlie all human endeavors, religions, and belief systems, though people differ in how they institutionalize those beliefs into a code of conduct and a way of life. Much as Sikhs love their religion, Sikhism is equally respectful and accepting of other ways of life and beliefs. Sikhism asks a non-Sikh to discover and live the essential message and meaning of his or her own religion so that a Christian can become a better Christian, Jew a better Jew, Hindu a better Hindu, while a Sikh becomes a better Sikh. Next time you see a Sikh at work or on the street greet him with “Sat Sri Akal,” which means “Truth is Eternal.” Contributed by Dr. IJ Singh Dr. I.J. Singh is a New York based writer and speaker on Sikhism in the Diaspora, and a Professor of Anatomy at New York University.