Recent News
Before another shooting, let’s do these necessary things to stop hate
Pardeep Kaleka, writes an opinion article on the anniversary of the 11 Jewish worshippers who were killed and seven others who were injured by a gunman at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Kaleka “urges Americans to come together in care and compassion for Jewish communities across our country and advocate for real action to stop the scourge of hate.” In his call to action he asks for the United States to invest in education to teach our children about different cultures and about diversity from an early age. Also, he urges Americans to push our government to act and must advance the bipartisan Khalid Jabara-Heather Heyer NO HATE Act. Lastly, Kaleka requests his readers to look to their leaders, and to each other, to condemn prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.
The eagerly awaited film, “Guru Nanak, Founder of Sikhism, Life & Legacy,” was recently screened at the Regal Theater in Los Angeles, California. Director Jerry Krell added, “It was a great learning and a humbling experience for me to work on this film and I wanted the world to know about Guru Nanak.” The film also includes real people and their stories of how their “Sikh faith has entered their lives as a truck driver, a mayor, and a Grammy-nominated singer; and it shows how the image and ideals of the founding figure in the Sikh tradition is not just the stuff of history and legends but lives in the lives of people today.” It was announced that PBS will air the documentary on 200 TV stations across the U.S. in the coming months as Sikhs are celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism.
For San Diego Sikhs, a day to honor others — and introduce themselves
On Sunday, the Sikh Foundation of San Diego County will honor local leaders of a variety of faiths and backgrounds. During Sunday’s ceremony and dinner, awards will be given to individuals and organizations that exemplify Sikh values for example to Interfaith Community Services, The Red Cross, San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter, and Sheriff Bill Gore and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Why the largest gathering of Sikhs is coming to Yuba City
Around the first weekend of November, Yuba City, California is brimming with guests at their annual Sikh festival, Nagar Kirtan. This is the largest celebration of Sikhs in the United States, with usually more than 100,000 attendees. This celebration also marks the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Also, there are at least three featured attractions for people stopping by the Yuba City Sikh Festival: the fireworks show, the bazaar, and the parade.
Sikhs for Humanity step up to help feed those taking shelter from Kincaid Fire
Members of Sikhs for Humanity from throughout Northern California including Manteca served dinner to over 700 Kincade Fire emergency evacuation center residents in a temporary shelter set up at Marin County Fair Grounds in San Rafael, California. The meal was made possible by the help of all Northern California Gurudwaras known as Sikhs for Humanity (SFH). The shelter was set up by the Red Cross and Salvation Army to house individuals, families, including men, women, and children from mandatory fire evacuations throughout Sonoma County. Organizers noted those sheltered “appreciated delicious vegetarian food. It was very emotional and warm welcome and many eyes were seen wet with love and joy for the outpouring community support during these tough times.”
Sikh Studies international conference held at Hofstra
Dr. Balbinder Singh Bhogal, holder of the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Chair in Sikh Studies, and Dr. Francesca Cassio, holder of the Sardarni Harbans Kaur Chair in Sikh Musicology, organized a conference last weekend in commemoration of the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith. The conference had around two dozen attendees that discussed the inclusive vision of Guru Nanak and the impact of his words in the current era. Gurkamal Dadra, a student and anthropology major, commented that “Being a Sikh American, it was great to see the depth of the Sikh tradition in full display at the academic conference, which was incredibly stimulating and brought multiple perspectives to topics in a way that could only happen in an academic setting.
Opinion: Violent incidents show Ga. needs hate crimes law
Aasees Kaur, writes on the increase of hate crimes in Georgia and across the country. According to recent data by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the FBI and other leading agencies, hate speech and hate crimes have been on the rise with no sign of decrease in recent years. Kaur calls for an effective hate crime law to preventing discrimination. It must provide appropriate sentencing guidelines, ensure that law enforcement is recording critical information, and give communities the confidence they need to come forward and report when they feel unsafe or are attacked. She also mentions attacks on Sikhs through including the story of her brother, who was beaten with his jaw left broken, turban removed, hair intentionally cut and was left with multiple wounds across his face and upper body.
Alhambra’s Sikh community to get one last chance to fight development proposed on worship site
Those who worship at the Alhambra’s long-standing Sikh gurdwara will get one last chance to argue against a proposed mixed-use development which would see their place of worship razed. The gurdwara returned to the same space in Alhambra on a one-year lease followed by month-to-month renting. However, in June, property owner and developer Herald Lau received approval from the city Planning Commission to combine that property with adjacent parcels, raze the buildings and build a four-story commercial and residential condominium complex. On Monday, the City Council ordered the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing to consider revoking its June project approval. Gurdwara President Santokh Singh said his community is having a difficult time because they feel so tied to the site. Singh added that “In the Sikh religion, when a location becomes a gurdwara, the land is blessed…Even if the door is closed, people will still pray there. People are so emotionally attached.”