Rupinder Mohan Singh |

The relationship between religious affiliation and birth rate

January 4, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In the TED Talk above recorded last May, Hans Rosling examines the trends of birth rates around the world by religious affiliation, and then by country and per-capita income: Hans Rosling had a question: Do some religions have a higher birth rate than others — and how does this affect global population growth? Speaking at the TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar, he graphs data over time and across religions. With his trademark humor and sharp insight, Hans reaches a surprising conclusion […]

Categories: Reports/Studies

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Portrait of Kuldip Kaur Bindra by artist Manu Saluja

Kuldip Kaur Bindra, after whom Sikh studies chair is named, passes away

January 4, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Rediff News published an obituary today in honor of recently-passed Kuldip Kaur Bindra, the matriarch of the Bindra family and after whom Hoftstra University’s Chair in Sikh Studies was named: “I remember when I was younger,” [grand-daughter] Sumeet added, “I would almost every night, go upstairs to her bedroom to play cards with both daddy and Biji, We used to play the game Bluff a lot and without fail Biji would always win. And she would smirk and she convinced […]

Categories: Profiles • Tags: Hofstra University, Kuldip Kaur Bindra, Manu Saluja, New York

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Senator Dick Durbin speaks at a press conference alongside representatives of a variety of groups at the Senate hearing on hate crimes and domestic terrorism last September (photo credit: Dosti.com)

Moving beyond “mistaken identity”

January 4, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

After the subway hate crime in New York a week ago, Laurie Patton, in Religion Dispatches, suggests an approach beyond that of education to combat hate crimes: A second focus is necessary: we might view such confusions of identity as opportunities to make common cause with other victims of hate crimes in America. The fact that Erika Menendez included both Hindus and Muslims in her rage means that both groups continue to be vulnerable in the United States. The fact […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes • Tags: Erika Menendez, hate crimes, Laurie Patton, mistaken identity, New York, Oak Creek, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, subway murder, Sunando Sen, Wisconsin

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Picture of the Day: The “Fortress Turban”

January 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In the United Kingdom, a traveling exhibit has on display the “Fortress Turban”, worn by Nihang Sikhs — a sect of Sikh warriors dating back to Guru Gobind Singh’s time at the turn to the 18th century — as part of their soldier attire: This Turban is known as a Dastaar Boonga or turban fortress worn by a group of skilled warrior Sikhs called Akali Nihangs. It was used to protect the head in battle and to hold their weapons, […]

Categories: Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, fortress turban, nihang, United Kingdom

What were some of the most important stories involving Sikh Americans in 2012?

What were the top Sikh American stories of 2012?

January 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The year 2012 proved to be a significant for Sikh Americans. From January onward, the Sikh American community would find themselves on national and international headlines, and would also engage in a higher level of political engagement, whether it be related to advocating for policy or participating in the political process. The community also earned important victories in the realm of civil rights and religious freedom. Individual Sikhs would stand out during the year as well, providing inspiration for many […]

Categories: Reflections • Tags: Sikh American, Top 5 Sikh American Stories, United States

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Sunando Sen was shoved to his death on a number 7 train platform in Queens on Thursday December 27th, 2012. He was Cremated on Monday December 31st, 2012. (Photo credit: DNAinfo/Theodore Parisienne)

Hate speech versus hate crimes

January 2, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On Salon, Wajahat Ali discusses the role of Islamophobic rhetoric in last week’s murder of Sunando Sen, a man of Hindu background who was pushed off a subway platform into the path of an oncoming train in New York last week: A senseless tragedy like this affords an opportunity, requires necessity and demands urgency for diverse American communities, especially Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, to unite in solidarity against hate and intolerance. In America, there exists space for legitimate criticism, debate, […]

Categories: Hate Crimes • Tags: Erika Menendez, hate crimes, Islamophobia, New York, subway murder, Sunando Sen, Wajahat Ali

Majority religion, by country (source: Pew Forum)

The Christmas Conundrum

December 31, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

I was 11 years old, standing on stage with my classmates during our school’s annual Christmas concert in which we were singing the Christmas carol “O Come All Ye Faithful“. During our performance, I decided to make a small modification to the lyrics: Oh, come, let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him, Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ your Lord. As soon as I uttered my modification of the last line (replacing “the” with “your”), I […]

Categories: Reflections • Tags: Akim Reinhardt, Bandi Chhorh Divas, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Diwali, Faheem Younus

An outdoor mural in Sacramento, California featuring representations of various faiths.

The growth of America’s religious diversity showed in 2012

December 28, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On the First Amendment Center, Charles C. Haynes discusses the emergence of religious diversity in America during 2012: The growing visibility and strength of America’s religious diversity is good news for religious freedom. The First Amendment affords legal protections, but it cannot fully prevent people in the majority from imposing social discrimination and political exclusion on those in the minority. As James Madison argued at our nation’s founding, religious freedom is best secured in a society of many faiths and […]

Categories: Civil Rights • Tags: First Amendment Center, First Amendment to the United States Constitution, freedom of religion, James Madison

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Lt. Brian Murphy (source: Greg Miller | Esquire Magazine)

Lt. Brian Murphy recounts Oak Creek attack

December 27, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In an interview with Esquire Magazine, Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy describes his confrontation with the shooter during the attack at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in August, one that almost took his life: I’d gotten a chance to look him in the eye. There was nothing. Pure nothing. Not hate. Not anger. Not emotion. Now I think, How did he get to that point? He made himself to be someone who thought life didn’t mean anything. I mean, […]

Categories: Hate Crimes • Tags: hate crimes, Lt. Brian Murphy, Oak Creek, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Author Archives: Rupinder Mohan Singh

The relationship between religious affiliation and birth rate

Kuldip Kaur Bindra, after whom Sikh studies chair is named, passes away

Moving beyond “mistaken identity”

Picture of the Day: The “Fortress Turban”

What were the top Sikh American stories of 2012?

Hate speech versus hate crimes

The Christmas Conundrum

The growth of America’s religious diversity showed in 2012

Lt. Brian Murphy recounts Oak Creek attack