US Sikhs out to create awareness on Sikhism
Friday, 18/09/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
AMRITSAR: Hundreds of Sikhs gathered at Los Angeles on Wednesday to support a national campaign to create awareness about Sikhism and the Sikh identity among the general public in the US.
They successfully raised $80,000 (about `53 lakh) to support the campaign that aims to check cases of hate crimes against Sikhs, who are often mistaken to be supporters of those that believe in violence and in spreading terror.
The gathering of the National Sikh Campaign (NSC) also had Devenderpal Singh of IndianIdol fame. Since 9/11, Sikhs have faced many incidents of violence and prejudice due to ignorance about their faith. According to a recent report by Hart Research Associates, most Americans have very little or no understanding of the Sikh religion. The latest case was of a New York-based Sikh taxi driver being targeted and being called a terrorist.
The LA chapter of NSC, headed by Surinder Kaur Dargan, which organized the event reached to all the local gurdwaras and leading members of the community to join in the effort.
“We have received not only financial support but also blessings from individuals who feel that such a campaign is much needed. We are so proud that this has become a great show of unity and purpose in the community,” Dargan said in a statement mailed to HT.
Rajwant Singh, co-founder of NSC, said they provide an opportunity to adopt a strategy to present the community’s struggle and triumph to the American audience with courage and integrity. He cited examples from Sikh history where Sikhs overcame major hurdles. Sikhs, he said, need to launch a world-class website in the same spirit and create ad campaigns to bring awareness about their appearance.
