Browsing Tag: SALDEF

Everyone was celebrating a 500-year old Sikh tradition together, sitting side-by-side on the floor and getting to know their neighbors, regardless of religion, gender or background and enjoying a traditional Sikh meal.

Co-hosted by SALDEF’s SikhLEAD 2015 class and Congressman Mike Honda’s office, over 350 congressional staff members, Sikh community members, and non-Sikhs from a variety of professional paths shared Langar, became connected to Sikh values and the Sikh community, ...

SALDEF’s 2015 SikhLEAD Internship Class continues to make their generation’s presence known on Capitol Hill. This year, alongside Congressman Mike Honda’s office, they will host Langar on the Hill.

Jose Diaz-Balart talks with Jasji Singh, director of the SIkh AMerican Lega Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), about a powerful public service announcement aimed at clearing up misconceptions around the Sikh community.

“...marks a step towards ensuring accurate reporting of hate crimes committed against Sikhs, an important step that will ultimately aid the Sikh community..."

On December 11th, a contingent of about 25 members of valley FBI members was invited by Mrs Balbir Kaur and Mrs Rangi to attend the talk offered by Dr. Sachdev. After being served with breakfast around 10 am they were taken to the class room to attend the above stated session.

“For the first time in our Sikh American history, 125 years of Sikh American heritage will be on display at the Rose Parade,” said Jasjit Singh, Executive Director, SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund).

Recently SikhNet conducted an interview with Jasjit Singh, the executive director of SALDEF. He took a little time to explain his role in the organizations amazing success in impressively forwarding the Sikh image in the U.S. "I am very fortunate to have been brought up in strong Sikh communities..."

Actor and designer Waris Singh Ahluwalia appears in the spot created by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, introducing the public to other notable Sikh Americans in an effort to address misconceptions about the community.

The study, “Turban Myths in America,” found that 70% of those surveyed couldn’t identify a Sikh man in a photo as a Sikh and 79% were unable to identify India as the geographic source of Sikhism.

SALDEF is seeking a Communications Director to lead media related efforts for the nation's oldest Sikh American civil rights organization. Apply today for this exciting career opportunity!

Ever since 1984 when the Indian government and its minions brought to life with a vengeance the fictional classic of George Orwell, Sikhs the world over have cringed at the propaganda machine of the Indian government...

Dressed in a white flowing robe and donning the traditional Sikh turban and long beard, Bhai Resham Singh, the leader of a Sikh gurdwara in the Boston area, stands before some 1,500 Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and even atheists. “(We) ask for mercy on the soul of Wade Michael Page, the perpetrator of the massacre,” he says.

How can you get your rights if you do not stand for them?

The SALDEF Internship Program offers Sikh American youth rare opportunities for political advocacy and leadership development.

Last month, SALDEF successfully held its first Leadership Development Program (LDP), under its new ground-breaking SikhLEAD youth development initiative. From a large pool of applicants, SALDEF selected 17 highly talented and accomplished young Sikh Americans from around the country for three days of leadership training, self-exploration, and development in Washington, DC.

Jasjit Singh, SALDEF Associate Executive Director, presented the final comments, introducing the inaugural SikhLEAD program, and recognizing the 17 participants in attendance. He went on to express the need for our community to invest in our future youth and young professionals as we continue to grow as a community.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department created and released this month a custom Sikh cultural awareness module in its training program for law enforcement.

Since 9/11, Mr. Sodhi has been devoted to mobilizing the Sikh American community to create awareness about the Sikh faith, as well as serving as a spokesperson against hate and violence.

Last week, Representatives of the UNITED SIKHS, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and Sikh Coalition met with the head of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Administrator John Pistole to discuss racial & religious profiling of Sikhs at American Airports.

In 21st century America, religious freedom doesn't come without a price.

Since 2008, Sahaj Singh Khalsa, a Sikh American paramedic from New Mexico, has been discriminated against by his employer because of his religious identity, he has endured disparaging remarks and threats, and even physica assault. SALDEF urges community members to call upon the hospital to accept religious diversity.

“We appreciate the prompt response and apology from National Geographic acknowledging their error. This experience highlights the need for Sikh Americans to be vigilant against inaccurate portrayals of our community in the media. Such inaccuracies promote misconceptions and increase the challenges our community faces.”

UNITED SIKHS will strive to coordinate efforts with other civil rights organizations to ensure that our articles of faith are safeguarded. We emphasize that this is not an issue only for advocates, instead, it is an opportunity for all Sikhs to take the initiative to educate their fellow brothers and sisters about what Sikhi is and why our articles of faith are an inextricable part of who we are.

Three of the largest Sikh advocacy groups in the United States are opposing airport passenger screening measures they say require hand-searches of turbans, despite the use of electronic imaging technology.

This award recognizes the extraordinary achievements of young Sikh Americans who have been leaders in the community and are an inspiration to the younger generation of Sikh Americans.

Founded in 1996, SALDEF is the oldest Sikh American civil rights and educational organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the civil rights of Sikh Americans through advocacy, education, and media relations. SALDEF's mission is to create a fostering environment...

SALDEF Expands Sikh Visibility; Meets President Obama

The PASS ID Act of 2009 contemplates uniform standards for driver's license and other identification photographs throughout the United States.

SALDEF is proud to announce that Gurumustuk Singh, founder of SikhNet, will be recognized with the 2009 SALDEF Youth Leadership Award