April has been declared Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in Delaware, and the state’s approximately 2,000 Sikhs are inviting the community to attend a series of events to learn more about the culture and beliefs of the Sikh faith.
A state Senate resolution was passed to mark the month.
The word ‘Sikh’ is Sanskrit for the word ‘disciple.’
Sikhism started more than 500 years ago in Punjab, a region in Pakistan and India.
Sikhism teaches that there is one God and that all are to be treated equally, regardless of sex, social class, or ethnicity. Sikhism is the world’s 5th largest religion.
Ninty-nine percent of all turbaned persons you meet or see are Sikhs. There has long been confusion in the U.S. about the Sikh community
The first Sikh community came to Delaware in the 1970s and the first Sikh temple (Gurdwara) in Delaware was established in Elsmere in 1990 and that later shifted to its current location in New Castle.
The following events are free and open to the public:
- Interactive Awareness Session, Sat., April 1, 9:30 – 10:30 m., Bawarchi Biryanis Indian Restaurant – 2628 Kirkwood Highway, Newark, (Astro Shopping Center)
- Interactive Awareness Session, Sat., April 8, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Bawarchi Biryani Indian Restaurant.
- Sikh Peace Walk, April 15, 9:45 – 11:00 a.m., Newark, E. Main Street. Speakers will include government and civic leaders and leaders of various faiths. (See video below)
- Sikh & Vaisakhi Cultural Evening, Friday, April 21, 7:30 – 8:30 m., Bawarchi Biryani Indian Restaurant.
