Sikh community celebrating Awareness and Appreciation Month to promote love and tolerance
Sikhism is the 5th largest religion in the world. Month of April is Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in many states of the USA. This month provides them with an opportunity to recognize and appreciate Sikhs as an integral part of communities throughout America. Sikh Americans have influenced American history, achievement, culture, and innovation. Sikh Americans have had notable achievements and made significant contributions worldwide as farmers, soldiers, entrepreneurs, scientists and others.
There are more than 14 states declared the month of April is a Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in the United states. Which include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Utah. Over 500,000 Sikhs in the United States and they have been living in the United States for over 100 years.
The month of April was chosen because of its significance to the Sikh community. It includes "Khalsa Saajna Diwas'' (birth of the Khalsa order) on April 14, 1699, and birth of the founder of Sikh faith Guru Nanak Dev ji on April 14, 1469. The Punjabi cultural harvest festival of "Vaisakhi"also falls on April 14. The second Sikh Guru Angad Dev ji was born on April 18, 1504, and the ninth Guru Teg Bahadur ji was born on April 18, 1621.
In the year of 2019, Governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law designating April as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, a move that seems to coincide with the increased political awareness of Sikhs in the state.
During an Interview Mr. Rajinder Singh Mago of the Sikh Religious Society said, "Celebrating Awareness and Appreciation Month is a great opportunity to increase understanding and tolerance amongst all Americans."
In support of greater Sikh awareness and appreciation many programs were held in the Chicago area. Where they highlighted the importance of recognizing how Sikh Americans have influenced U.S. history and culture. Due to the ongoing pandemic many events were celebrated remotely, and many had limited attendance.
Sikh community emphasizes love and tolerance everywhere they live. Sikh community has played a pivotal role in contributing to the vibrancy in the United states of America. Sikhs community are known for their bravery and leadership; a fundamental tenet of Sikhism is to stand up for injustice anywhere and especially for those who are most in need and don't have a voice. The Sikh religion, which follows the holy scriptures of the Guru Granth Sahib, is based on the principles of universal equality and basic values of truth, nonviolence, tolerance and peace.
Sikh community emphasizes love and tolerance everywhere they live. Sikh-Americans across the state, and across the country unfortunately continue to be the victims of acts of violence and hate since many years Sikhs are known for their turbans and beards. Turbans were historically held of royalty as a crown and are worn with a tremendous amount of pride.
When any community needs help or times of need, Sikhs are there to help. In fact, Sikhs do not take the role of service lightly, it is a way of life and way of Kindness.
Sikh community always welcome strangers regardless of their faith or regardless of your background, any one welcome into a Sikh gurdwara at any time for a warm meal and refuge.