Delaware declares April as 'Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month'
The US State of Delaware Assembly has passed a resolution to proclaim April as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month", amid increasing hate crime incidents against Indian-Americans, particularly the Sikhs in the US. A resolution in this regard was passed unanimously by both the chambers of the State Assembly -- House of Representatives and Senate. Throughout this month, the public will be educated about Sikhism.
A move to appreciate the Sikh community
Welcoming the move to declare April as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month", Delaware Governor John Carney said, "Sikhs and Indian Americans are welcome in the state of Delaware with open arms."
Sikhs are often mistaken for members of Taliban or al-Qaeda
The proclamation said the Delaware state stood with the Sikh community in denouncing hate crimes directed towards any individual on account of their religious beliefs. "Since September 11, 2001, Sikhs are often mistaken for Taliban or followers of al-Qaeda based upon their appearance and clothing, Sikhs have been subject to school harassment, employment discrimination, and fatal shootings," the resolution said.
The resolution helped in establishing the identity of Sikhs
"Because of this resolution, the identity and awareness about the Sikh community has increased in the state," local Sikh leader Charanjeet Singh Minhas said. "However, there are still a lot of people who think people with Turbans belong to Taliban or al-Qaeda. Turban is normally seen as anti-American, anti-western, which is not true. This is what we are trying to correct," he said.
Sikhs continue to peacefully overcome attacks on its members
The resolution noted that the Sikh community in America continues to peacefully overcome attacks on its members, as well as attacks on Sikh identity and practices. "One way that the Delaware Sikh community promotes love, respect, and peace for all is through billboards on I-95 that celebrate holidays such as Diwali, Thanksgiving, Guru Nanak's birthday, and Christmas," the resolution read.
