Washington, Aug 19, 2004
IANS
NRI Press
For the first time in a hundred years the White House
marked a Sikh event to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Guru Granth
Sahib, the Sikh holy book.
At the invitation of the White House, 90 Sikhs from
around the United States gathered at the White House where high-level
officials of the Bush administration greeted the Sikhs with special
comments and dialogue.
The programme, which began at 3:15 pm, started with
a Sikh prayer and Shabad Kirtan (rendering of hymns).
According to Rajwant Singh, National Chairman
of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, Sep 1 marks the 400th
anniversary of the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures
and its installation at the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), located
in Amritsar, India, in 1604.
The scriptures are the guiding principle
for the followers of Sikhism founded by Guru Nanak.
Said Singh: "The Sikh community in
the United States is extremely pleased with President Bush's invitation
on this auspicious occasion. Sikhs have been in America for over 100
years and this definitely sends a strong signal
that this White House recognizes the Sikh presence in the US."
He said the "Sikhs are highly gratified
at this unique honour given to their community."
Sikh contributions to American political
developments, to the American economy and to American culture have been
recognized in official circles.
There are close to half a million Sikhs
in the US and they have now established a thriving community and continue
to make significant contributions to American society as physicians,
high-tech professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, cab drivers and convenience
store workers.
They are amongst the most hard-working,
educated and prosperous groups of Americans. The first Asian American
to be elected to the US Congress in 1962 was a Sikh from California
- Dilip Singh Saund.
Singh said, "President Bush and his
administration have been extremely prompt in responding to the needs
of the Sikhs. We always remember his leadership immediately after 9/11
and his words of assurance to the Sikh
community facing tough times during those days. It is our conviction
that President Bush will continue to welcome Sikhs and other diverse
groups to the White House signifying that the highest political office
of this land belongs to all people."
Recalling the difficult times the Sikhs,
with their uncut beards and turbans, have faced in the U.S. soon after
9/11 due to hate crimes and how a Sikh was gunned down and killed in
Mesa, Arizona, Singh said it was Bush who lost no time in calling a
special meeting of the Sikh leaders to the White House to assure the
community of his administration's support.
The majority of people in America who wear
a turban are in fact Sikhs. Many in America are unaware about the Sikh
traditions and observances and due to this Sikhs have continued to face
harassment at airports and high
security areas.
"We are looking forward to a constructive
dialogue and engagement with our government and hope to alleviate situations
faced by Sikhs in the US," Singh added.
Sikhs may miss White House function
Washington, DC, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Some Sikhs may elect not to attend
a White House function to commemorate the 400th anniversary of their
faith because of a security dispute.
As part of a new initiative to stay engaged with Americans of all faiths,
the Bush administration has invited members of America's Sikh community
to an Aug. 18 White House ceremony.
The community, founded 400 years ago in what's now Pakistani Punjab,
has thousands of followers in the United States and Canada.
But the Chairman of the World Sikh Council, Kuldeep Singh, said Sunday
members of his group will not attend the function because the participants
have been asked not to bring their "Kirpans" with them.
Kirpan is an ornamental dagger and religious Sikhs carry the dagger
with them all the time.
"Asking Sikhs to remove their Kirpan is not only offensive, but
is to deny them their legitimate right to practice their faith,"
Singh said.
Rajwant Singh, one of the organizers of the event, has offered a compromise
by asking the guests to wear a medallion with a small Kirpan image on
it instead of the ornamental dagger.