We, at UNITED SIKHS, extend our best wishes to everyone on this, the 312th Vaisakhi. May Vaheguru bestow blessings on all.
The Directors, Staff and Volunteers of UNITED SIKHS would like to express their gratitude to the community for the continued support to all the UNITED SIKHS projects; without your support, we would not have been able to undertake the many projects we do. We will continue to work on these important issues that most affect our community and those in need, exemplifying the most fundamental principles of Sikhi.
UNITED SIKHS wishes prosperity and peace for all on the pious occasion of Vaisakhi, which commemorates the inauguration of the Khalsa panth at Anandpur Sahib in 1699. Khalsa which means 'sovereign' is the name given by the 10th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, to all Sikhs who have been baptised or initiated by taking Amrit. Based on the teachings of the Ten Gurus, Khalsa believes in one Supreme Omnipresent God. The Sikh religion teaches us equality, tolerance and respect for all of humanity. It teaches us modesty and instils within us the resolve to stand against any injustice and tyranny.
Today, Sikhs are facing an unprecedented attack on their faith and dignity across the world. Whether it is through xenophobia, unfair policies during air travel, racial and religious profiling, hate and bias crimes, school bullying or employment discrimination, the Sikh identity and articles of faith are constantly being threatened. Our legal advocacy team continues to work on individual cases, advocate for policies that protect religious freedom of Sikhs at national and international airports, bring awareness to issues such as the mass graves in Haryana and the unfair treatment of wearing of the Dastaar in Europe and Panjab (India), and participate in education efforts for law enforcement in Australia and United States.
Join us in our advocacy efforts to bring the many important community issues to light. If you are in the USA, you can join UNITED SIKHS at our 2011 Sikh Summit from May 3rd to 6th on Capitol Hill, Washington DC where participating community members will meet with US Congressmen and Senators from different regions and share community concerns with our lawmakers. This Vaisakhi, to meet the challenges, help us to fill out this simple community information form to ensure that the concerns of your community are represented at this national forum, the 2011 Sikh Summit.
UNITED SIKHS continues to stand strong in its efforts to serve for humanitarian relief, bringing aid to those most in need, like in Japan and through our continuing work in Haiti. In all, UNITED SIKHS has served in over 16 disasters throughout the world. In all we have distributed more than 500,000 hot meals globally, emergency relief and shelters to thousands. With your continued support, UNITED SIKHS is ready to respond quickly and effectively to any call for help, small or large. Our community projects such as health education and awareness programs and "Feed the Hungry" (FTH) program would not benefit the many people they do without the support of generous community members like you.
The UNITED SIKHS Help Desk at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Southall, London, UK, has helped hundreds of immigrants since the service was started a year ago. The Educare Centre in NY provides services to enrich and inspire the local Sikh and Punjabi community, especially women, youths and the elderly. However, in keeping with the Sikh principle of, 'sarbat da bhala' -service for the good of all – anyone in need is welcome. With the first center in New York and the other opening up in Freemont California, the goal is to open such centers across the globe where the need is prevalent.
We encourage the Sikh community to vigorously practice their faith and report any issues in their respective areas that burden the ability to practice their faith. Call 1-888-243-1690 or email law-global@unitedsikhs.org to report any concerns.
Whether it is through our annual Global Conference bringing together human and civil rights advocates from around the world or through our Annual Global and Civil Rights Report, we continue to shed light on the most pressing issues of the global Sikh nation, and continue to fight for the free practice of the Sikh faith.
Fighting for religious accommodation is a daunting task because of the vagaries of national and international laws, but UNITED SIKHS will continue, nation by nation, to promote and protect Sikh articles of faith.
For UNITED SIKHS to continue its efforts (both domestically and internationally), we need your assistance, so please donate. You may donate online at www.unitedsikhs.org/donate or post a cheque or make a bank transfer to a UNITED SIKHS chapter near you. For details of our chaoters see https://unitedsikhs.org/contact-us/
Issued by:
Gurmeet Kaur
1-888-243-1690
contact@unitedsikhs.org | law-usa@unitedsikhs.org
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Winner of the Sikhs and Charities Award
