News Bits | | Page 2

"No injuries were reported and no arrests made when unrest between hundreds brewed Sunday afternoon at the Glen Rock [New Jersey] temple. " (Source: Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch)

Conflicts at Gurdwaras in NJ and CA last Sunday

June 5, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

It happens with disgusting frequency in our Gurdwaras when conflicts develop into physical acts of violence in and around our sacred spaces. Last November, an especially violent riot took place at a Gurdwara in Yuba City, California, and just this past weekend, Sikh communities in Glen Rock, New Jersey, and in Turlock, California, bore witness to the condemnable acts of the demented. It is unclear what the reasons of the conflict were in either case. At the Siri Guru Singh […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Glen Rock, Gurdwara, Gurdwara conflict, New Jersey, Turlock

A rendering of the future Gurdwara in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (Photo credit: Lori Way)

A new Gurdwara for Fort Wayne, Indiana

June 4, 2013 by American Turban Guest Contributor

Friend and colleague Lori Way provides an update on the Sikh community in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they recently broke ground on a new Gurdwara for their growing congregation. See previous contributions from Lori Way here. Last April 21st marked an important milestone for those who attend the Dashmesh Sikh Gurdwara in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The day began with the raising of the Nishan Sahib and ended with the groundbreaking for a new Gurdwara, which is scheduled for completion by […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Dashmesh Sikh Gurdwara, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Karnail Singh, Lori Way, Onkar Mann

"In the Sikh community garden in Fresno [California], where older gardeners mentor younger ones." (Credit: Jim Wilson | The New York Times)

The community gardens of Fresno, CA

June 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In The New York Times, Patricia Leigh Brown writes about community gardens in Fresno, California, as places of support for various communities, including the Punjabi Sikh Sarbat Bhalla Community Garden, which provides a safe space for conversation for Sikh women: “Young women have to prove ourselves more than our brothers do,” she said. So the group members supports one another, “especially if a girl is down,” [Parmeshvar Kaur Dhaliwal] said. …and Sikh men: Amandip Singh Gill, a 32-year-old garden organizer, […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Amandip Singh Gill, California, Community Garden, Fresno, New York Times, Parmeshvar Kaur Dhaliwal, Punjabi Sikh Sarbat Bhalla Community Garden

"Members of the Sikh faith community [in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma] walk outside their new gurdwara after a grand opening service and celebration May 19 at the new house of worship, 4525 NW 16." (Photo credit: Carla Hinton | The Oklahoman)

New Gurdwaras in Oklahoma and Arkansas

May 29, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Sikh communities in the southern United States are celebrating new Gurdwaras (Sikh houses of worship) for their sangats (congregations). In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the sangat celebrated the grand opening of their new 5,000 square foot Gurdwara, accommodating their growing population: Sarbjit “Sabi” Singh, one of the Sikh congregation’s members, said the community started in 1983 with 10 families, representing about 35 people. He said the congregation has now grown to between 150 and 200 people. The building previously used for […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Arkansas, Gurdwara, Little Rock, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Rogers

Leave a comment

The "National Gurdwara" on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C. (source: Panoramio)

Washington, DC’s National Gurdwara to reopen

May 17, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Sikh News Network is reporting that the National Gurdwara, the ill-fated Sikh house of worship located prominently in Washington, D.C.’s “Embassy Row”, will be reopening under new ownership after it was formally closed last year due to financial issues for several years. The closing of this Gurdwara in such a prominent location came to the dismay of many in the Sikh community. After several parties expressed interest, the Gurdwara has been purchased by the Jaswant Sawhney Irrevocable Charitable Trust, […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Embassy Row, Gurdwara, Jaswant Sawhney Irrevocable Charitable Trust, Maryland, National Gurdwara, Pingalwara, Washington D.C.

Leave a comment

"Nazar Kooner addresses the gathering at the Sikh temple on South P Street with Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall and sister-city Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora of Amritsar to his left earlier this month in Bakersfield." (source: Bakersfield Californian)

Mayor of Amritsar is impressed with Bakersfield, California

April 30, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In August 2011, the city of Bakersfield, California, announced a “sister-city” association with Amritsar, Punjab, India, the center of the Sikh faith and home to Darbar Sahib (aka the Golden Temple, Sikhism’s central Gurdwara). Recently, the Mayor of Amritsar visited Bakersfield, an unassuming city 100 miles north of Los Angeles that contains a large Sikh population and is economically based on the agricultural industry: Amritsar, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora told the Hindustan Times, is a far cry from the squeaky […]

Categories: News Bits, Politics • Tags: Amritsar, Bakersfield, Bakshi Ram Arora, California, Darbar Sahib, Harmandir Sahib, Harvey Hall, India, Nazar Kooner, sister-city

Leave a comment

Akhand path service at the Gurdwara of Delaware. (source: Gurdwara of Delaware)

Second Gurdwara opens in state of Delaware

March 29, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Last weekend, the Gurdwara of Delaware, located in Newark, Delaware, held its grand opening at its new location, making it the second Sikh house of worship in the state after the Sikh Center of Delaware (originally established in 1990), located about 12 miles away: Much about this day was centered on beliefs that originated in the 15th century in an area that is now northern India. The new temple is a reminder of Delaware’s evolving diversity of ancestry and religious […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Delaware, Gurdwara, Gurdwara of Delaware, New Castle, Newark, Sikh Center of Delaware

Leave a comment

Jatinder P. Singh, United Sikhs Associate Director

Sikh American provides opening prayer to UN General Assembly

February 27, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

According to an e-mail newsletter circulated by United Sikhs (a United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organization), a Sikh American has, for the first time, offered a prayer at the United Nations General Assembly Opening Session. On February 14th, United Sikhs Associate Director Jatinder P. Singh participated in the interfaith service to open the session: “In the company of Saints, all enemies become friends. In the company of saints, man becomes very pure…” He closed the prayer by adding, “ I truly hope […]

Categories: Interfaith, News Bits • Tags: Jatinder P. Singh, United Nations, United Nations General Assembly, United Sikhs

"The Upstate Sikh Society is dedicating the first Sikh temple (called a Gurdwara) in the area. After nearly two years of construction, they have a community center and temple in which to worship and share their faith." (credit: Alex C. Hicks Jr./Alex.Hicks@shj.com/GoUpstate.com)

Sikhs in South Carolina open new home

February 26, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In Duncan, South Carolina, the Upstate Sikh Society opened the area’s first Sikh house of worship on Sunday: “We are very excited about having a home,” said treasurer Daljit Kalsi, who moved from India to Greenville in the 80s. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Gurdwara took place in November, 2011: After a year and a half of construction, the Gurdwara is expected to serve 40 to 50 Sikh families in Duncan and surrounding counties in the northern area of South […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Duncan, Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, South Carolina, Upstate Sikh Society

Leave a comment

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Category Archives: News Bits

Conflicts at Gurdwaras in NJ and CA last Sunday

A new Gurdwara for Fort Wayne, Indiana

The community gardens of Fresno, CA

New Gurdwaras in Oklahoma and Arkansas

Washington, DC’s National Gurdwara to reopen

Mayor of Amritsar is impressed with Bakersfield, California

Second Gurdwara opens in state of Delaware

Sikh American provides opening prayer to UN General Assembly

Sikhs in South Carolina open new home