News Bits | | Page 25

A Sikh reflects on Thanksgiving

November 25, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

I sometimes wonder what young generations today will think looking back when they are my age. Will they have the same sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the communal celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Diwali and the religious holidays that cause us to pause, gather together and reflect in our busy lives? I certainly hope so. — so writes Nirmal Singh, in his Op-Ed piece in Pennsylvania’s Patriot News, in which he reflects on the religious and cultural events that he […]

Categories: News Bits, Reflections • Tags: Diwali, Guru Nanak, Nirmal Singh, Pennsylvania, Thanksgiving

Leave a comment

Multi-faith Thanksgiving

November 25, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

TV station KABC in San Francisco reports on St. Anthony’s Church bringing together six faith groups (including Sikhs) to serve the needy on Thanksgiving: “So often in the news today what we hear are different faiths struggling with each other or saying one is bringing another down. We’re saying, ‘You know what? We all work together for the good of our brothers and sisters who struggle,’” says St. Anthony’s Executive Director Shari Roeseler. It’s the true expression of faith when […]

Categories: Interfaith, News Bits • Tags: California, interfaith, San Francisco, St. Anthony's Church, Thanksgiving

Leave a comment

Building bridges in Ohio

November 24, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio is celebrating 25 years of bringing different religious groups together in their community: “There is a fear of the unknown,” said Jindal. “If you know each other, then there is no fear.” The organization brings together eight different religions (including Sikhism) and engages in activities in the Columbus area to educate the public and foster respect and harmony among the different faith groups. That they have done this work for 25 years within their community is inspiring!

Categories: Interfaith, News Bits • Tags: Columbus, interfaith, Interfaith Association of Central Ohio, Ohio

Leave a comment

Are Sikhs taking it too personally?

November 23, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Should clothing now be sold with a “TSA-Approved” label? You can’t wear white after Labor Day, and now you have to dress appropriately when you travel: Travel experts say the new scrutiny underscores the need for better airport fashion choices that can help people breeze through screenings with their dignity intact. Clothes loaded with metal studs are suddenly a no-no, as are bras with underwires. Slacks instead of skirts are preferred. Any baggy clothing can require extra inspection. This presumably includes […]

Categories: Civil Rights, News Bits • Tags: Air travel, Airport security, AIT machines, SALDEF, Sikh Coalition, TSA, United Sikhs

Leave a comment

Why the TSA’s searching procedures pose a problem for Sikhs

November 22, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

For Sikhs, the turban is an internationally-accepted article of faith. Having it removed or handled in public is humiliating for any Sikh, however many Sikhs have compromised and thus far have acceded to the TSA’s pat downs and screening. It has not always gone well: His son passed this test, but the officers told Bawa he had set off an alarm and called the police, who checked his records in Maryland, he said. He was tested again and came away clear, but was […]

Categories: Civil Rights, News Bits • Tags: Air travel, Airport security, AIT machines, Gurdeep Singh Bawa, TSA

Fresno, California’s Sikh Parade

November 22, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

“We’re here to pass on as much information as we can to share our community with our heritage and our tradition with the rest of our American brothers and sisters,” Manvinder Singh said. In addition to their donation to Poverello House, Sikhs in Fresno held their parade yesterday to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak. The weather wasn’t great, but apparently the turnout was. Check out the video from a local TV station.

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Fresno, Guru Nanak, Sikh Parade

Leave a comment

Gurpurab at the White House

November 22, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

A gurpurab is the term used for the celebration by Sikhs of an anniversary related to the lives of any of the Sikh Gurus. This past weekend was the gurpurab of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism who was born in 1469 in present-day Pakistan. President Obama offered his greetings to Sikhs for this occasion, and for the second year in a row, the White Host hosted an event to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak. Interestingly: […]

Categories: News Bits, Politics • Tags: Amritsar, Barack Obama, Guru Nanak, White House

Sikhs donate to Poverello House in Fresno, California

November 22, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On Saturday, Sikhs in California’s Central Valley presented Poverello House with a $20,000 donation: The Sikh religion teaches that we should all work to help our community. With that in mind, Sikhs from the Central Valley gave back to Fresno’s Poverello House. Members of the community present the non-profit with a check on Saturday for $20,000. The donation was featured (video) on their local TV news.

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Central Valley, Fresno, Poverello House

Reflections on the Redding, CA Sikh Parade

November 22, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

“I feel like I fell into a good thing,” he said. “I think they have a good idea with their independent spirit.” — Ronald Swan, 63, who lives next door to the Sikh Centre and serves as the property’s land surveyor. “There’s a pretty diverse group of people,” he said. “They’re good people.” — Steven Osborn of Redding, who led the parade on his motorcycle. Osborn, who is not a member of the Sikh faith, said he always participates in the […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: California, Guru Nanak, Redding, Sikh Parade

Leave a comment

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Category Archives: News Bits

A Sikh reflects on Thanksgiving

Multi-faith Thanksgiving

Building bridges in Ohio

Are Sikhs taking it too personally?

Why the TSA’s searching procedures pose a problem for Sikhs

Fresno, California’s Sikh Parade

Gurpurab at the White House

Sikhs donate to Poverello House in Fresno, California

Reflections on the Redding, CA Sikh Parade