UNITED SIKHS Blog

As Faiths Act Fellows at UNITED SIKHS, Hannah and I have had the privilege of witnessing clergy of different faiths organizing themselves to have a strong, united voice against injustice this year. Since New York City has been at the center of the country’s expression of discontent at the current financial and social situation of the 99%, it has been a particularly exciting place to be as a Faiths Act Fellow.

Watching clergy find their place in the fight for economic justice has been breathtaking, and has modeled for us the resources and wisdom that faith communities have to offer any social movement. The primary role of OccupyFaith has been to serve as a moral voice, condemning corruption and inequality and supporting the protesters and their cause. They have also worked together to provide shelter for hundreds of protesters every night in their houses of worship since the raid of Zuccotti park and the onset of winter. From the start, they have held up Occupy Wall St. as the next link in the long chain of non-violent protest movements agitating for justice, often connecting it back specifically to the Civil Rights Movement.

Last Thursday UNITED SIKHS honored the visionary leadership of OccupyFaith by providing coffee, tea and bagels at the weekly meeting of 45 members. We recognized that the participating members’ activism to bring us closer to a time when all people have the rights and resources they need to live a dignified life is exactly what International Human Solidarity Day is all about.

We thank the clergy of OccupyFaith for showing us one more way that religion can be a force for good in the world, and cherish our involvement with this dynamic and inspired collective.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2011

Statement by the President on the Anniversary of the Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

I send my best wishes to all those observing the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru. On this occasion, we are reminded of the fundamental principles of Sikhism, including the equality of all people, the sanctity of living an honest life, and the importance of service to our neighbors. I’m proud that during my presidency the White House hosted the first celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak, and our country is grateful for the extraordinary contributions that Sikh Americans have made to our nation. As Sikhs across America and around the world celebrate the life of Guru Nanak, all of us can draw inspiration from his message of equality, honesty, and helping those who are in need.

After graduating high school, I spent a year living in Jerusalem, the epicenter of many of the world’s religious conflicts. As a resident I was privy to the ways that misunderstanding and intolerance play out on a day-to-day level. From witnessing hateful graffiti and humor (on both sides) to hearing conflicting historical narratives, it was plain to see that the rift between the Jewish and Muslim communities there runs deep, and that much of the population accepts this state of affairs as the only way.

My intense sadness over the lack of visible dialogue or grassroots peace-building efforts brought me to an organization called Encounter. Their mission is to educate diaspora Jewish leaders about the realities of Palestinian plight under the occupation. Most of the participants in their educational trips have never met a Palestinian, and come to the experience with the straightforward Zionist narrative they were taught in synagogues and schools. As an intern with the organization, I was able to help organize and participate in one of their trips to Hebron. After a day of touring and learning about the history and political dynamics of that tragic city, the group arrived at a community center where we sat down with a room full of local people. Palestinian people. The tension was palpable. Most of us, Jewish and Palestinian alike, had never had the opportunity to be face-to-face with individuals of the other, “rival” group.

Each person went around the room and shared a bit about themselves and their story. Slowly, people began to laugh together and to listen to one other with focus and compassion. Some of the Palestinian residents shared objects that were meaningful to them, including one man who walked us through his different passports and the rights that each of them do and do not give him. While this may sound political, it felt completely personal and intimate, and those in the Encounter group were able to simply listen and empathize with the difficulties of life under occupation for this one, individual person. It was a relief for the Jewish participants to be heard and understood as well, and to be able to show that our people, too, are each different and unique and that most of us also constantly seek peace and understanding.

After breaking into small groups, eating, and continuing to get to know one another, the evening drew to a close. None of us wanted it to end, and by the time we said goodbye I felt a surge of emotion that I will never forget. On the one hand it was about having met these fantastic people and gained insight into their experience that I never could have otherwise, and on the other it was the realization of how rare these opportunities for face-to-face contact are between groups that are so thoroughly separated, by systems and by prejudice. That day taught me the transformative power of face-to-face understanding, and drew me to the work I am now doing as a Faiths Act Fellow at UNITED SIKHS combating intolerance by bringing the Sikh community together with other people of faith to share experiences, increase understanding of each other’s traditions, and listen to one another.

By Nomi Teutsch

   Reward in Sikh killings case in Elk Grove grows to $57,000

The Sikh community, volunteers and police authorities renewed their push on Sunday to identify assailants responsible for the fatal shootings of two Sikh men strolling in their Elk Grove neighborhood in March.  With the reward standing at $57,000, members of the groups said the effort called for a “day of action” to spread the word that the pursuit of the perpetrators will go on.
Continue reading ‘Reward in Sikh killings case in Elk Grove grows to $57,000’ »

This week Alabama passed immigration legislation that turns the police force, whose primary duty is to protect, into immigration officials with the power to question anyone, where there is “reasonable suspicion”, about their immigration status. Moreover, schools which are supposed to provide a nurturing and safe environment are now responsible for recording the undocumented status of their students. In case there was any doubt about the devastating implications of this law for the Hispanic community in Alabama, one only had to read this week’s headlines: “After Ruling, Hispanics Flee…” (New York Times), “Hispanic Students Vanish from Alabama Schools…” (Associated Press). The State of Alabama has confirmed that over 2,000 Hispanic children never showed up for school on Monday. Continue reading ‘Alabama, Land of the Scared’ »

29th Sep, New York, NY:   UNITED SIKHS invites all to attend the Sikh International Film Festival 2011 from Oct 14th – Oct 15th, at the Asia Society  & Museum, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY.  On the 8th October children’s films will be shown at the Hofstra University, Student Center, in New York. Continue reading ‘Sikh International Film Festival 2011 in New York: October-8th, 14th, 15th’ »

UNITED SIKHS invites the youth to attend the Sikh Leadership Summit 2011. Inspiring and Developing the next generation leaders and artists. 

28th Sep, 2011, New York, NY:   The  Sikh Art & Film Foundation  has brought together diverse leaders on a panel to discuss their journeys to leadership positions.  UNITED SIKHS invites, especially the youth, to attend the Sikh Leadership Summit on 13th October in New York at the Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue, New York. Continue reading ‘Invitation to the Sikh Leadership Summit 2011 in New York on the 13th of October’ »

SAFAR

SAFAR
Our Journeys
Connecting: Our stories, visions & paths

OISE,  University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada

Join academics, community members and organizers  from across North America at “Our Journeys” as we bring to light the high caliber of research being carried out to explore and openly discuss collective past, present and future of geneder equality.
Conference is open to all & Registration is FREE or PWYC.  All attendees must register online at http://ourjourneys.eventbrite.com
Continue reading ‘SAFAR Our Journeys Connecting: Our stories, visions & paths’ »

 Prepare your child for a bright future, a program offered through  Community Empowerment and Education Directorate  (CEED) of UNITED SIKHS.
Enrollment is Now Open for 2011 – 2012

We are providing homework help for students of 3rd grade through 8th Grade. Our teachers are experienced and  subject matter experts. Register now for 2011-2012 session. The program is for students from 3rd Grade – 8th Grade. Get to next level or help in weak areas of- Mathematics,  English & Science.
Continue reading ‘After School Academic Program (ASAP): Enrollment is now open for 2011- 2012’ »