Browsing Tag: White House

The event began with ardas. The main event began with a kirtan performance by Mata Mandir Kaur, Sat Kartar Singh and Bibi Amarjit Kaur. Many Sikh figures and leaders gave presentations and speeches.

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.

Third annual White House briefing opens with powerful remarks by Programs Director, Amardeep Singh. Remembering June 1984, Bhagat Singh Thind's historic struggle for U.S. citizenship, Oak Creek, and our community's everlasting Chardi Kala. Today, Jakaras ring loud in the White House!

While recognizing the success of Sikh immigrants, the White House hopes it can further open dialogue between the Obama administration and Sikhs for years to come.

The eight Oak Creek police officers who responded to the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in August have received a national law enforcement award and were honored at the White House Saturday morning by President Barack Obama.

The White House has responded to the petition signed by over 30,000 individuals asking the US Government to “Recognize the Sikh Genocide of 1984?.

Birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was celebrated by the White House in the presence of 160 Sikhs from across the United States. Senior officials from the Obama Administration turned up to welcome Sikhs who were dressed proudly in their traditional Punjabi attires, colorful turbans and business suites.

First Lady Mitchelle Obama offered consoling words and gave hugs to all the family members of the Sikh victims of the Oak Creek Gurdwara shooting in Wisconsin in August.

....involved the recognition of the need for a broader dialogue about violence and hate in America. The White House says that will be a focus of the administration, as it reaches out not just to the Sikh community but to other groups that have experienced attacks based on their religion, race and ethnicity.

As the first words of the opening remarks were uttered, “Welcome to the White House…” my mind began to wander. I thought to myself, how did we make it to this historic event?

Jakaras were heard in the White House this past Friday during a briefing on Sikh civil rights issues in the heart of the federal government. The briefing, a historic first, was organized in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the White House Office of Public Engagement at the request of the Sikh Coalition.

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday heaped praise on Punjab-born Saund to laud South Asian contribution. Saund was the country’s first Sikh/Indo-American member of US Congress.

The White House has hosted an interactive meeting with Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain leaders to listen to their concerns and issues, indicating their increasing role in America's socio-political milieu.

When Indian-American Navroop Mitter responded to the White House Twitter challenge on what one can buy with USD 40, little did he know that his reply would give him the honour of sharing the dias with the US President and the Vice President.

"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...."

Last week the Coalition along with guests from the Sikh community participated enthusiastically in a White House Diwali Reception with President Barack Obama.

A Rhodes scholar with a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, he has four honorary degrees. His autobiography is required freshman reading on 11 college campuses. He runs a nonprofit organization with 31 employees and a budget of $4 million, and he was tapped by the White House as a key architect of an April initiative by President Obama.

The Sikh Coalition was honored to provide 25 tickets from the White House to Sikh children, their parents and their grandparents, who journeyed to our nation's capital from places around the country, including California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and the DC area, to represent the community.

President Obama said, “On Sunday, many around the world will observe the anniversary of birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. I send my best wishes to all those observing this extraordinary occasion. This is also an opportunity to recognize the many contributions that Sikh Americans have made to our nation, and to reflect on the pluralism that is a hallmark of America.”

SALDEF Expands Sikh Visibility; Meets President Obama

“We want to engage all communities at the same level at the White House and we want to make sure that Sikh community is involved fully with the Obama Administration."

President Bush urged to raise pressing concerns about religious freedom in India