February | 2012 |

FBI joins investigation of Michigan Gurdwara vandalism as possible hate crime

February 17, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The FBI is joining the investigation of the vandalism of a Gurdwara under construction in Sterling Heights, Michigan, almost two weeks ago: DEARBORN, Mich. (WTW) — The U.S. Justice Department says the FBI is joining local law enforcement agencies to investigate vandalism at Muslim and Sikh houses of worship in the Detroit area. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade and Detroit FBI chief Andrew Arena announced Thursday that federal authorities will participate in the probes of two attacks that happened this month […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Graffiti, Gurdwara, hate crime, Michigan, Sterling Heights

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UPDATE: Plainview, NY Sikhs return to Gurdwara

February 15, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Sikhs of Plainview, New York, whose Gurdwara, the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center, was shut down last year due to code violations, have been allowed to return and conduct services again after resolving some of their issues: Phyliss Barry, a spokeswoman for the town, said the gurdwara’s leaders have rectified some of the code violations and are continuing to work with the town to comply with the remaining issues. Good news for that congregation, and best of luck to […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center, New York, Plainview, Town of Oyster Bay

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US attorney wants Sikhs to report hate crimes

February 14, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

“Especially after you learn about all that, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to discriminate against the Sikh community,” Haag said. “We have one of the most tolerant communities in the United States right here in the Bay Area, so if that discrimination is happening here, that’s really disturbing.” — US Attorney Melinda Haag, after learning about Sikhism while meeting with Bay Area Sikhs at the Gurdwara in El Sobrante, California on Sunday. Haag’s meeting was to encourage […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: California, El Sobrante, FBI, FBI Hate Crime Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Melinda Haag, United States Attorney

Entrepreneur G.P. Singh’s three keys to realizing your potential

February 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

A recent talk given by Gurvinder P. Singh at a TEDx event (associated with the nonprofit Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) Conference) in San Antonio, Texas caught my attention: A successful entrepreneur who sold his homegrown defense contracting firm for millions, G.P. shares the trials, tribulations and truths of showing up in the U.S. with $8 in his pocket and building a life of purpose. The talk – “Life Lessons for Realizing Your Potential”. As I watched Gurvinder Singh speak — […]

Categories: Reflections • Tags: Gurvinder P. Singh, San Antonio, Sikh diaspora, TED, TEDx, Texas

Suspect Vehicle in Elk Grove, CA, murders of Sikh grandfathers (source: Sacramento Bee)

Elk Grove, CA PD provides new details about search of murders of Sikhs

February 8, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Elk Grove, California Police Department provided an update today in their search for the killer(s) of Sikh seniors Surinder Singh and Gurmej Atwal, who were shot and killed last year while on their daily walk. Based on witness accounts, the police have now have a confirmed description of the suspect’s vehicle: At a press conference this afternoon, police officials said the suspect drove a lifted full-size pick-up truck, tan or gold in color, with a standard-size cab, similar to […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: California, Elk Grove, Elk Grove Police Department, Gurmej Atwal, hate crime, Sacramento, Surinder Singh

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The Pluralism Project profiles Sikhism and Sikh musical tradition

February 8, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Diana Ecks, of Harvard University’s Pluralism Project (dedicated to the study of religious diversity in the United States) recently profiled Sikhism and gurmat sangeet in an interview with Sarbpreet Singh of the Gurmat Sangeet Project: The Gurmat Sangeet Project is a grass-roots level effort dedicated to the preservation and propagation of the ancient musical tradition known as Gurmat Sangeet. The Gurmat Sangeet Project is dedicated to disseminating high quality recordings and teaching materials for free. Gurmat sangeet is the musical […]

Categories: Art, Interfaith, Profiles • Tags: Gurmat Sangeet, Gurmat Sangeet Project, Harvard University, Sarbpreet Singh, The Pluralism Project

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A Q & A with Daljeet Singh Sidhu of sikhcomics.com

February 7, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In a previous post, I reviewed the Sikh history comics published by Gyan Khand Media. The author of these comics, Daljeet Singh Sidhu, was kind enough to answer a few questions about his project.

Categories: Art, Literature, Profiles • Tags: Daljeet Singh Sidhu, Sikh Comics, sikhcomics.com

Gurdwara in Sterling Heights, MI, vandalized in apparent hate crime

February 7, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) alerts us to vandalism of a Gurdwara completing construction in Sterling Heights, Michigan: According to reports directly from the gurdwara management committee, the vandalism happened between the evening of Feb 5th and the morning of February 6, 2012. The graffiti included vulgar language, racial epithets, the use of what appears to be a cross, a large drawing of a gun, and references to the attacks of September 11th. The new site […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: Graffiti, hate crime, Michigan, SALDEF, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Sterling Heights

Elk Grove, CA PD to update on investigation of Sikh murders

February 6, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The police department of Elk Grove, California, site of the unsolved murders of Sikh seniors Surinder Singh and Gurmej Atwal, have scheduled a news conference this Wednesday at 1 PM to update the community on the on-going investigation: “We don’t have a suspect,” said department spokesperson Christopher Trim. “There is some additional information we’re going to be putting out, and we’re going to be asking for the public’s help in solving this crime.” Let’s hope the additional information will help […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: California, Elk Grove, Gurmej Atwal, hate crime, Sacramento, Surinder Singh

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Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Monthly Archives: February 2012

FBI joins investigation of Michigan Gurdwara vandalism as possible hate crime

UPDATE: Plainview, NY Sikhs return to Gurdwara

US attorney wants Sikhs to report hate crimes

Entrepreneur G.P. Singh’s three keys to realizing your potential

Elk Grove, CA PD provides new details about search of murders of Sikhs

The Pluralism Project profiles Sikhism and Sikh musical tradition

A Q & A with Daljeet Singh Sidhu of sikhcomics.com

Gurdwara in Sterling Heights, MI, vandalized in apparent hate crime

Elk Grove, CA PD to update on investigation of Sikh murders