News Bits | American Turban

"The U.S. government has moved quietly and aggressively to prevent undocumented Indians from entering the United States, many of whom are Sikhs fleeing political repression or economic collapse at home." (Source: Buzzfeed News)

The journey of Punjab’s issues to America’s front door

February 3, 2016 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

David Noriega and John Templon write in Buzzfeed News about detention of Punjabi Sikhs at US borders who are seeking asylum. This well-written and comprehensive article connects the dots to the legacy of issues plaguing Punjab and its people today.

Categories: 1984, Civil Rights, News Bits • Tags: 1984, 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms, Buta Singh, Buzzfeed News, David Noriega, farmer suicides, Immigration, John Templon, Operation Blue Star, Punjab police, trafficking

The accidental benevolence of Donald Trump

January 26, 2016 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

While in 2012, the Republican Party offered sympathy and support to the Sikh American community, by 2016, this sentiment has ostensibly been disregarded — and even reversed — by the dominating Republican candidate for President who openly disparages a Sikh article of faith. And, there has been little tangible response from the Republican Party or the other Republican candidates to this incident or other similar protests. One wonders how or why this shift occurred.

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, News Bits, Politics • Tags: Arashdeep Singh, Donald Trump, Iowa, Ishwar Singh, Muscatine, Nikki Haley, Oak Creek, Republican National Convention, Republican Party, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, xenophobia

Modern Sikh history through British Movietone News footage

January 19, 2016 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

From 1895 through 1986, British Movietone News produced documentary newsreels, reporting on events around the world and providing some of the earliest news footage for our historical record. These newsreels are archived now by the Associated Press: British Movietone is arguably the world’s greatest newsreel archive, spanning the period 1895 – 1986. Shot on 35mm film, this global archive contains many of the world’s enduring images and is rich in coverage of news events, celebrities, sports, music, social history, science, lifestyle […]

Categories: News Bits, Resources • Tags: AP Archive, Associated Press, British Movietone News, history, Partition of India

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"Jasbir Singh oversees religious services at Dashmesh Darbar, Chico’s first Sikh gurdwara, or temple." (Source: Ken Smith | Chico News & Review)

The sprouting of a Sikh congregation in Chico, CA

October 24, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Chico News & Review profiles a fledgling Sikh congregation in Chico, California, a small town in northern California: On a recent Sunday, the diwan’s attendance numbered about a dozen, predominantly made up of women in traditional Indian garb, with long scarves covering their heads. Also present were a few men, most dressed in slacks and button-up shirts, and a pair of young boys who fidgeted—as boys of any faith might do—throughout the diwan, their actions intermittently corrected by stern […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Chico, Chico News & Review, Dashmesh Darbar

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Digital worship

October 16, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

An article in The Detroit News discusses the growing use of technology in places of worship and by followers of a variety of faiths, including the Sikh faith: In the Sikh community, followers often take advantage of apps such as Gurbani Anywhere, which can translate prayers into English. “It is very useful and innovative,” said Kabeer Singh, 18, a college student from West Bloomfield Township. Sikhs also are aided during services at their worship sites, known as gurdwaras, with SikhiTotheMAX, […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: mobile, Religion, technology

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"Martin Schoeller’s unexpected portraits illustrate America’s 'melting pot' nature." (Source: National Geographic)

The growth of the multi-racial

October 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In the National Geographic, Lise Funderburg writes about the growth of the “multiracial” in the United States (via @v4vaishali): …for most multiple-race Americans, including the people pictured here, identity is a highly nuanced concept, influenced by politics, religion, history, and geography, as well as by how the person believes the answer will be used. “I just say I’m brown,” McKenzi McPherson, 9, says. “And I think, Why do you want to know?” Maximillian Sugiura, 29, says he responds with whatever […]

Categories: News Bits, Reflections • Tags: melting pot, multi-racial, race

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"Giani Gurbachan Singh, who traveled from India for the groundbreaking of a new Sikh temple in the 10400 block of Larkin Road in Live Oak, reads from the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. The 25,000 square foot complex will include three structures on nearly 11 acres and will be the largest Sikh temple site in Yuba-Sutter." (Photo: David Bitton/Appeal-Democrat)

Live Oak, CA, Sikh community breaks ground on new Gurdwara

September 5, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Last week, the Sikh community of Live Oak, California, broke ground on a new Gurdwara for their growing congregation: The 25,000-square-foot complex, which will be the area’s largest, will include three structures on nearly 11 acres in the 10400 block of Larkin Road. The main hall will be about 10,000 square feet and the dining and multipurpose areas will each be around 7,500 square feet. It is expected that the estimated $4 million dollar project will be completed within one […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Gurdwara, Live Oak

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Gulwinder Singh was attacked by another driver after a minor vehicle accident in Manteca, CA. (Photo: KTXL/Fox40)

CA Sikh man attacked after vehicle accident

July 5, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

During his commute on Tuesday morning, in Manteca, California, Gulwinder Singh was involved in a minor accident with another car, and then brutally attacked by the other driver: “I asked him for his license and he pulled a gun on me. And I said, ‘O.K., O.K., it’s cool, I’m leaving,’” Singh told FOX40. Walking back to his car, the other driver attacked Singh – first hitting him in the back of the head with a rock and then pulling a […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Attempted murder, California, Gulwinder Singh, Manteca

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A service by The Sikh Gurdwara of San Francisco. (Source: The Sikh Gurdwara of San Francisco Facebook page)

Bay Area synagogue opens doors to Sikh congregation

June 28, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The San Mateo Daily Journal provides a profile of The Sikh Gurdwara of San Francisco, a Sikh congregation in the West Bay area of greater San Francisco, California. The Gurdwara, having just celebrated its first year of existence, is unique: the congregation actually meets monthly in a space provided by a synagogue called Peninsula Temple Beth El: “We’re willing to make room for them whenever we can … until they expand or run out of space [for their services],” [Peninsula […]

Categories: Interfaith, News Bits, Profiles • Tags: Blair Brown, California, Mehar Singh Mahal, Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Mateo Daily Journal, The Sikh Gurdwara of San Francisco, West Bay

American Turban

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Category Archives: News Bits

The journey of Punjab’s issues to America’s front door

The accidental benevolence of Donald Trump

Modern Sikh history through British Movietone News footage

The sprouting of a Sikh congregation in Chico, CA

Digital worship

The growth of the multi-racial

Live Oak, CA, Sikh community breaks ground on new Gurdwara

CA Sikh man attacked after vehicle accident

Bay Area synagogue opens doors to Sikh congregation