Browsing Tag: Simran Jeet Singh

Seva is more than service. The holistic Sikh lifestyle reflects the notion of divine oneness at the core of Sikh theology. To be a Sikh is to adopt an integrated life, to live with integrity, and to live beyond the individual self.

We live in globalized world where people of diverse backgrounds are interacting with one another more than ever, and it is painfully obvious to all of us that too many people are unable to reconcile different religious or ideological viewpoints.

Yesterday, in the USA, CBS premiered an introduction to Sikhism with Simran Jeet Singh, and it is now available online. This is a historic moment for the Sikh community.

Simran is not alone in his goal. The members of the Sikh running club Surat Fauj are running with him to raise awareness about Sikhism and counter negative stereotypes. He said it is an uphill battle, but he has seen progress.

If we update the language we use to describe the anti-Sikh violence, maybe we could then finally begin a proper discussion. Acknowledging the malicious intent underlying the massacres is the first step towards reconciliation.

The Sikh community around the world has been gathering this week to celebrate Gurpurab, which marks the birth of Guru Nanak, and it is deeply meaningful for us to gather here at the White House on this momentous occasion.

Communal violence has long affected minority communities in India, and this is not the first time an individual accused of the murder of Indian civilians has been slated to lead the country. This fact is especially poignant this week, as Sikhs around the globe commemorate the anniversary of the anti-Sikh massacres in June of 1984.

As members of an underrepresented community in modern America, we find ourselves in the midst of a double bind.

Recently, my close friend Dr. Prabhjot Singh was assaulted in an apparent hate crime near his home in New York City. Although many headlines prominently feature the word “victim,” this is not how most Sikhs would view it.

Harleen Kaur grew up in that community, and she tells Simran Jeet Singh about how life has changed over the past 12 months.

“All things being relative, I’m in a good spot,” Murphy explained. “Obviously, I realize how fortunate I am to even be alive. I don’t know why, and I don’t think I’ll ever know why....

On the other hand, we all regularly participate in a system that protects a select few, and we all play roles that contribute to the denigration of others.

As major institutions around the world work to establish equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens, the military ought to be ahead of the curve, not behind it.

On Saturday members of the California team showed their commitment to defending human rights in Punjab, India by joining the "Appear for the Disappeared 5K Walk" organized by Ensaaf.