US Sikhs launch campaign to spread awareness

Washington, May 24

A US-based Sikh advocacy group has announced a community outreach programme, which encourages Gurdwaras across the country to host 'Sikh Open House' to inform Americans about the religion and their contributions.

The National Sikh Campaign (NSC) on Tuesday announced the National Month of Community Outreach, which is a part of its ongoing awareness campaign 'We Are Sikhs'.

The effort aimed at improving awareness about Sikhism and Sikh-Americans throughout the US, especially in the immediate neighbourhoods where Sikhs live and worship, a media release by NSC said yesterday.

The outreach programme will run until June 25.

"The Month of Community Outreach is being launched to get the maximum exposure to the Sikh community at the local level in combination with the national campaign," said Rajwant Singh, co-founder and senior advisor at NSC.

The 'We Are Sikhs' campaign has been running ads on television and social media. "There is already a positive response from Americans from across the nation and this grassroots outreach initiative will strengthen bonds at the local level with our neighbours," he said.

Gurwin Singh Ahuja, executive director of NSC said by inviting community stakeholders and members of all faiths to its Gurdwaras, they hope to foster a better understanding of the values that unite all as Americans.

"Sikh Americans are pillars of their communities in every corner of the nation. They run local businesses, serve on their local Parent Teacher Associations and lead Boy Scout Troops, for example. Sikhs believe deeply in the freedom to pursue one's own success through hard work and serving their communities - ideals fundamental to the American Dream," said Jasvir Kaur, NSC's team member in Chicago. —PTI