SALDEF January Advocate: Order Pocket Calendars While Supplies Last!

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 countless 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 of 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.

Protecting the Sikh ID In Georgia, a Sikh boy was told he would have to remove his patka before he could take his State ID picture. His father was told that he would not be able to wear his turban when he renewed his license. SALDEF intervened and the Georgia Department of Driver Services apologized and agreed to have their staff trained by SALDEF. We have worked on similar issues in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, and California. Fighting Employment Discrimination Surjit Singh Saund of North Carolina was told that he could not open a convenience store because of his turban and beard. Inderjit Singh of Indianapolis was told he could not work at an airport for the same reason. SALDEF connected Mr. Saund and Mr. Singh with our partners at Public Justice and both have filed a law suit to ensure Sikhs don’t have to make a false choice between their religion and their livelihood. Monitoring New Forms of Media Bias Over the summer, we completed an analysis of Facebook and discovered a concerning trend. Fourty-five anti-Sikh or anti-turban pages are currently reaching a combined audience of over three million individuals. SALDEF has launched a campaign to close down these pages and address the spread of misinformation. Protecting the Right to Teach In April of this year, SALDEF and a broad coalition of interfaith partners succeeded in overturning an Oregon law banning public school teachers from wearing articles of faith while in the classroom. Strengthening Partnership with Law Enforcement This year we made presentations for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and local police departments around the country. As a result of our continued engagement, we have secured open invitations from eight police departments inviting Sikh Americans to join their ranks. Keeping Politicians Accountable This summer, when state Senator Jake Knotts referred to South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate Nikki Haley as a ‘raghead,’ SALDEF contacted his office to demand the Senator issue an apology for his remarks.

Policy of Discrimination Reversed: Sikh American Child Allowed to Enroll In Texas Public School

SALDEF in collaboration with the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) has succeeded in overturning a long-standing policy of discrimination against religious headgear in the Brazosport Independent School District in Texas. The case has allowed a Sikh American fourth grader to enter school and also resulted in a revision of the District”s school dress code.

Earlier this year, Gundeep Singh’s parents attempted to enroll him in Gladys Polk Elementary School in Clute, TX. The enrollment proceeded until a school official saw Gundeep with his patka, a religiously mandated head covering. At that point, the Singh family was told that Gundeep would not be able to wear a patka nor keep his uncut hair at the school because it was in violation of the school”s “no hats” policy and the district’s dress code policy regarding hair length for boys. They were then referred to Deputy Superintendent of the school district, Mr. Dennis McNaughten, who advised the family to enroll Gundeep in another school.

“The school”s policy prevented its students from practicing their religion freely, which is in direct violation of the United States Constitution and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “Regrettably we still see such incidents across the country of Sikh Americans being refused access to public schools, denied employment, and being subjected to hate crimes, primarily due to their distinct identity.”

TCRP and SALDEF acted immediately by issuing a letter to the district to contest the school”s position and demand that Gundeep be allowed to enroll. Additionally, TCRP and SALDEF urged the District to revise their school dress code polices to include safeguards for individuals of various faiths and to conduct a training seminar to ensure administrators across the district would be better informed about the religious practices of Sikh American children, as well as more fully understand the issues they face, specifically with regards to bullying and harassment.

Within a few days, Gundeep Singh was admitted into Gladys Polk Elementary. The school district also adopted revisions suggested by SALDEF to their “no hat” policy and the existing standard for hair length for boys. These revisions will ensure that students of various faiths who hold religious beliefs will be able to “keep hair long or uncut, or wear religious headwear or clothing.”

“We’re glad we stood up for our rights and that our son can go back to school,” said Gundeep”s father Jarnail Singh. “We are so thankful to TCRP and SALDEF for their assistance and support of our son and family.”

SALDEF would like to sincerely thank Wayne Krause and his team at the Texas Civil Rights Project for their invaluable leadership in this case, as well as our colleagues at the Sikh Coalition for their initial backing in this matter.

SALDEF would also like to encourage all Sikh Americans to ensure that their rights are not violated. If you or anyone in your family experiences a similar incident or any denial of access due to your articles of faith, please contact SALDEF immediate either or call us toll free at 877.917.4547.

Ensuring that Law Enforcement is educated about Sikh Americans is critical. These men and women are responsible for our safety, they investigate crimes against us, and they are charged with the difficult task of quickly identifying suspicious or threatening behavior.  Recognizing the need to partner with this group, SALDEF launched its Law Enforcement Partnership Program (LEPP) in 1999, and over the past 11 years has trained or distributed materials to over 100,000 local, state and federal Law Enforcement Officials. Under the auspices of this program, SALDEF has partnered with the Department of Justice to produce a first of its kind training video about Sikh Americans for Law Enforcement.  The video, called On Common Ground, was shown to all 45,000 Transportation Security Officials in 2008 and has since been included in the Transportation Security Administration’s mandatory training curriculum for all new security officers. Over the past few months, SALDEF has provided educational cultural competency presentations in a number of areas across the country: Maryland On May 25, SALDEF held a Sikh Awareness Training for a dozen officers at the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The training was well received and the Department has scheduled a future training for their new class of recruits and will potentially use SALDEF to train each new recruit class.  Additionally, the MCPD will be visiting a local Gurdwara to learn more about Sikh practices and meet the local sangat. North Carolina On June 11, SALDEF Board Member Kavneet Singh conducted a presentation in Charlotte, NC titled Sikhism 101: An Introduction to Sikh Beliefs and Culture for Law Enforcement. The training was organized by the U.S. Department of Justice – Community Relations Service who SALDEF has partnered with extensively over the past decade. The agencies in attendance included: •    Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) •    U.S. Attorney’s Office •    Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) •    North Carolina Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) •    University of North Carolina, Charlotte (UNCC) •    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department •    Gastonia Police Department, Davidson Police •    Pineville Police Department San Francisco On June 16, SALDEF was invited by the Captain of the San Francisco Police Academy to conduct a training on Sikh Americans. This was the first in a series of trainings with the Department which will hopefully lead to a long-term partnership and mandatory Sikh Awareness training for all cadets and officers in the SFPD. The topic of the training was to highlight specific areas of interest to law enforcement when they may come in contact with Sikh Americans, be it on patrol, at the Gurdwara, or at the home of a Sikh American. The efforts above add to the growing list of significant training endeavors taken on by SALDEF. Past accomplishments have included: •    Training the entire Boston Police Department •   Training the entire Washington DC Metro Police Department •    Performed Training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) It is only through your generous support that SALDEF is able to continue to build partnerships with the Law Enforcement community. Please take a few moments and DONATE to SALDEF today with either a recurring monthly donation or one-time donation. Your contribution helps us create a more fostering environment for the next generation of Sikh Americans.

1. SALDEF Accepting Applications for 2009 Summer Internship Program 2. SALDEF Meets with the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General 3. SALDEF Meets with Congressional Leaders on the Opening of the 111th Congress 4. SALDEF Briefs Senate Democratic Leadership on Sikh American Concerns 5. ON SALE: 2009 Sikh American Pocket Calendars 6. SALDEF Conducts Training for Airport Security Officers in Connecticut 7. SALDEF Participates in Los Angeles Department of Homeland Security Roundtable Meeting 8. College Scholarship opportunity 9. Upcoming Events SALDEF Accepting Applications for 2009 Summer Internship Program The SALDEF Internship Program offers Sikh American youth an opportunity to be uniquely positioned to advocate for national policy issues on behalf of Sikhs. The program educates students on issues including, civil rights, public policy, women’s rights, national security and the legislative process. Interns will gain hands-on experience in community organizing, research, writing, legal issues affecting the community, political action, and educational outreach. Current opportunities available include: Legal, Legislative, Communications and Development internships. Click here for more information. SALDEF Meets with the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General On December 17, 2008 SALDEF Eastern Regional Director Savraj Singh, met with Gurpreet Singh, Chief of Staff of the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General and others, to discuss concerns regarding an increase in hate and bias acts against South Asians. A coalition of organizations spearheaded by Qudsia Raja of SAALT (South Asian Americans Leading Together) pressed the AG’s office to take proactive steps to better report and document incidents of hate crimes, educate law enforcement on South Asian communities, and protect children from bullying and harassment in schools. SALDEF will continue to work diligently on behalf of the Sikh American community in New Jersey. If you believe you have been the victim of a bias attack, please contact SALDEF at legal@saldef.org or 202-393-2700. SALDEF Meets with Congressional Leaders on the Opening of the 111th Congress On January 7, 2009 SALDEF met with Members of Congress and their staff marking the opening on the 111th Congress. The event was a time to meet-and-greet with Members of Congress and their staff to develop and strengthen relationships that will enable SALDEF to further advocate on behalf of the Sikh American community. SALDEF Briefs Senate Democratic Leadership on Sikh American Concerns On January 7, 2009 SALDEF met with the Senate Democratic Leadership and their senior staff to inform them of the national concerns of the Sikh American community. This meeting is part of SALDEF’s ongoing effort to ensure that the Sikh American community has a strong voice in the halls of Congress and is holding our elected officials accountable. Among the issues that SALDEF discussed were, amending of the U.S. Military policy denying Sikh Americans the right to serve in the Armed Services, passing of hate crime and religious freedom legislation, as well as the need for the Senate Leadership to commit to meeting with various members of the religious community in the United States. ON SALE: 2009 Sikh American Pocket Calendars 2009 Pocket Calendars – 2009 In their sixth year of production, the 2009 SALDEF pocket calendars have been fully redesigned to include updated full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with more examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States. On the back, the calendars have a 2009 calendar in a small, handy, easy-to-use design. The calendars are available in packages of 100 for just $10 plus shipping and handling fees. Order Your 2009 Pocket Calendars Today! SALDEF Conducts Training for Airport Security Officers in Connecticut On January 21, 2009 SALDEF New England Regional Director Navjeet Singh conducted a Sikhism 101 cultural awareness training for Transportation Security Administration officials in Connecticut as part of SALDEF’s Law Enforcement Partnership Program. Over 120 people attended the session including, Transportation Security Officers from Hartford, CT’s Bradley Airport and from Providence, RI’s Green Airport, representatives of the Connecticut State Police, and airport-based ground staff representing United Airlines, Air Canada, and Continental Airlines. Local community leader, and elected school board representative, S. Amarjit Singh Buttar, also attended the training and is working with SALDEF to organize additional presentations in the future. Click here for more information SALDEF Participates in Los Angeles Department Homeland Security Roundtable Meeting On January 27, 2009 SALDEF Volunteer Attorney Anudeep Kaur Singh participated in the quarterly DHS roundtable meeting in Los Angeles. The DHS roundtable was created in 2008 as part of an effort to increase communication between the government and local community organizations. The meeting focused on the progress made as a result of the roundtable meetingin 2008 and goals for the upcoming 2009 year. Some achievements made in 2008 included more religious training for local law enforcement, the Los Angeles youth roundtable, and increased awareness of TSA screening procedures. Goals for 2009 include community outreach at local gurdwaras, a youth national summit, and significantly more training programs for federal officials. Additionally, DHS made several informative presentations at the meeting, including what to expect during the transition period to the Obama administration, as well as information about the new US-VISIT program which requires additional non-US citizens to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry into the US (more information about US-VISIT can be found at here). College Scholarship Opportunity The National Association for Asian and Pacific American Education (NAAPAE) invites high school seniors, and college juniors and seniors to participate in its scholarship program. In the spring, NAAPAE will award up to two $500 scholarships to high school seniors and up to two $1,000 scholarships to college junior/seniors. The recipients will be students who meet the following qualifications: (A) are of Asian or Pacific Islander (API) descent; (B) are actively involved in extracurricular activities in school; (C) have outstanding academic records; and (D) are young leaders who show concern and commitment to Asian/Pacific Islander communities. Scholarship recipients must be citizens of the United States or Canada or be resident aliens. To apply, click here Upcoming Events * Meeting with Tina Tchen, Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison – Washington, DC March 2, 2008 * Meeting with United States Attorney – District of Columbia – Washington, DC March 5, 2008 * Director of National Intelligence Heritage Community Liaison Meeting – Fairfax, VA March 6, 2009 * Presentation to Columbia Union College – Takoma Park, Maryland March 25, 2009 * National Partner Meeting with the Census Bureau – Washington, DC March 30, 2009 * SALDEF 2009 National Civil Rights Awards Gala – Los Angeles, CA May 2, 2009 * Presentation to Johns Hopkins University – Baltmore, MD May 15, 2009

SALDEF Regional Offices Spearhead Education Activities Washington, DC – October 17, 2008: Over the past several months, regional offices of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, have been organizing and spearheading efforts to educate non-Sikhs about Sikhism and to inform Sikhs about their rights in the United States. To continue and expand these efforts, we need your support TODAY! Your monthly donation will go a long way in ensuring the work to educate our neighbors, elected officials and community members keeps going strong. Camp Gian 2008 California: Los Angeles – SALDEF Western Regional Director Kavneet Singh and volunteer JaspreetSingh Sethi presented SALDEF’s bullying awareness presentation to roughly 80 Sikh children at the 10th Annual Camp Gian. The two 55-minute, interactive sessions engaged campers and encouraged them to remain confident in themselves while reaching out to parents and teachers for help. By understanding past incidents of school harassment, the children learned to recognize bullying, understood its origins, and identified appropriate action to take when bullying occurs. Rajdeep at Panel on Towelhead Hollywood – After SALDEF’s engagement with Warner Bros regarding the film ‘Towelhead,’ we have been moving swiftly to develop long-term relationships with producers, directors, actors, and studio executives to increase the number of Sikh Americans in the film industry. San Jose Gurdwara San Jose Just last week, SALDEF and the San Jose Gurdwara assisted in the rehabilitation of four youth assailants after multiple vandal attacks against a Sikh American family. Massachusetts: Boston – After continued engagement with local law enforcement across the state, SALDEF Regional Director Navjeet Singh convinced the Massachusetts State Police to issue the first-of-its-kind online training module to educate all 3,000 officers on Sikhism across the State. This follows another achievement when Navjeet and six volunteers, completed a year long campaign training all 3,000 officers Boston Police Department officers on Sikhism. Texas: Houston – For the past few years, SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh has been conducting quarterly Sikhism presentations for 40-50 new cadets at the Houston Police Department. New Jersey: SALDEF Regional Director Savraj Singh Dhanjal recently completed a bullying and harassment presentation for over 50 Sikh youths in New Jersey. The presentation (watch the abbreviated version) is designed to inform youth on what to do when faced with a bully and to increase their confidence. Oregon: SALDEF Regional Director Sat Hanuman Singh Khalsa has been spearheading ground-breaking training activities within TSA, local law enforcement, state police, and local legal experts on Sikhism and the challenge of Sikh Americans. His efforts have led government officials and schools to dramatically increase their desire to learn more about the community. With all of our national engagement and education efforts, the aforementioned local efforts are critical to the success of the Sikh American community. We must understand and reach our fellow Americans on the street in order to make a change in how Sikhs are perceived and treated. However, to continue our ground breaking efforts, we need your support TODAY! A monthly donation of just $25, $50 or $100 will help expand our education efforts to businesses, reach more schools and Gurdwaras, and train the next generation of Sikh youth leaders to engage their communities. To learn more about our Education Activities, please contact SALDEF at education@saldef.org Please distribute this widely to family, friends and at the local Gurdwara

Department of Justice Adds SALDEF Sikh Cultural Awareness Training to Community Relations Service (CRS) Website

SALDEF has played a leading role in improving the understanding of Sikh American religious and cultural practices among law enforcement and government agencies nationwide.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), SALDEF developed On Common Ground: Sikh American Cultural Competency Training for Law Enforcement, a training video designed to reduce bias, prevent misunderstandings, and strengthen relationships between Sikh communities and public institutions.

Launched: January 2007

Reach: Viewed by more than 65,000 law enforcement officials in the United States

Adoption: Used by all TSA screeners at U.S. airports

Global Impact: Requested by law enforcement agencies in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, India, and Brazil

Federal Recognition: Hosted by the DOJ’s Community Relations Service (CRS)

Click Here to View On Commond Ground Video

This work builds on SALDEF’s broader Educational Outreach efforts with federal agencies, including:

  • DOJ Collaboration (2004): Common Sikh American Head Coverings — a poster educating local, state, and federal officials on Sikh articles of faith, including the dastaar (turban), and best practices for respectful engagement.
  • DHS Collaboration (2006): Sikh Americans and the Kirpan — guidance developed with the Department of Homeland Security to promote awareness and ensure appropriate interactions between Sikh Americans and federal law enforcement.

Director of DOJ-CRS, Ondray T Harris remarked, “On Common Ground serves as a valuable tool in educating law enforcement officials, airport personnel, and various communities across the United States on the cultural and religious practices associated with Sikhism. Awareness of cultural and religious observations can help avoid misunderstanding and tension. Towards this goal, On Common Ground can assist the public in understanding the challenges and realizing the contributions of the Sikh community in the United States. Former CRS Director Sharee Freeman, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and other local, state, and federal agencies are to be commended for their extraordinary efforts in making On Common Ground possible.”

Together, these initiatives demonstrate SALDEF’s long-standing commitment to proactive education, institutional accountability, and protecting the civil rights and dignity of Sikh Americans through partnership and policy-informed outreach.

Washington, DC— A poster explaining Sikh head-coverings was recently produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF).  The poster is entitled Common Sikh American Head Coverings and provides a brief introduction to the Sikh religion and protocol to follow security screening by law enforcement officials. “[The posters] represent the Department of Justice’s continued efforts to educate government officials about the practices and beliefs of vulnerable minorities,” wrote Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, R. Alexander Acosta, in a letter to SALDEF.  “Not only does this lead to greater understanding, but it also helps our officers do their jobs better.  Thank you for your assistance in developing these posters and bringing this project to fruition.” The full-color, glossy posters are 24 inches long and 18 inches wide.  They were produced following SALDEF’s regular participation in meetings with Assistant Attorney General Acosta’s working group about post-9/11 issues.  The DOJ has produced 10,000 copies of the posters, which will be distributed to local, state and federal law enforcement officials. “We are extremely pleased that the DOJ not only took the initiative to produce these posters but will be distributing them to law enforcement officials across the country,” said SALDEF National Director Preetmohan Singh. “Our Law Enforcement Partnership Program has trained thousands of first-responders and this will reinforce information for some and provide a straight-forward introduction for others.” To view a copy of the poster, please click here.

The U.S. State Department recently invited SMART President Manjit Singh to address participants of their International Visitor Program. The program entitled, “Managing Diversity in a Multi-Ethnic Society,” was designed to expose participants to the contributions and challenges of immigrants in the U.S. by examining policies on immigration, refugees and citizenship, and America’s cultural diversity. This year, several government officials, academics, and journalists from Europe were invited to tour the United States. Mr. Singh spoke about SMART’s efforts in the areas of protecting civil rights, encouraging political involvement, and participating in legislative efforts affecting the Sikh American Community. He was joined by panelists from the Arab American Institute (AAI) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), who also discussed political empowerment of minorities. The International Visitor Program is administered by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels. Participants are established or potential foreign leaders in government, politics, media, education, science, labor relations, and other key fields. Over the years, hundreds of former participants under the International Visitor Program have risen to important positions in their countries. Among the alumni are over 160 current and former chiefs of state or heads of government and more than 600 are cabinet-level ministers.