At a time when politicians and leaders are urging people not to discriminate against Muslim Americans, or those who could be mistaken for Muslim Americans, one social media post has struck a chord.

“Let me tell you why this…isn’t funny,” Greg Worthington, a PhD student in the Education Policy and Planning Program at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote Sunday on Facebook. Worthington’s 400-word long caption accompanied a screenshot of Darsh Preet Singh, the first turbaned Sikh American to play basketball in the NCAA. The photograph, which has been circulated by comedians and joke websites for months, identifies Singh as “Muhammad” and calls him an “explosive” player.

On Sunday, Worthington took to Facebook to introduce Singh and explain why the “joke” in the photo was not funny. As of Tuesday morning, Worthington’s post has received more than 23,000 likes and more than 10,000 shares.

“Since receiving kind messages from Sikhs and others and reading what people have said when they shared my post, I realized that I had no idea how important it was to say something even though I knew it was extremely important to do so,” Worthington told NBC News. “A stranger who is a Sikh that shared my post wrote, ‘Greg Worthington, a friend indeed.’ It was extremely touching to know that I could be the kind of friend the Sikh community needs in times like these just by simply speaking out.”

Simran Jeet Singh, Senior Religion Fellow at The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News that the world needed “more people like Greg.”

“As it becomes increasingly acceptable to discriminate against people based on how they look, we need people of various communities to lend their voices and to remind us of our shared values,” Singh said.

In his Sunday night address from the Oval Office, President Barack Obama addressed growing anxieties against Muslim Americans, and urged all Americans to reject discrimination and “religious tests” on who is admitted into the country. “Because when we travel down that road, we lose,” Obama said. “That kind of divisiveness, that betrayal of our values, plays into the hands of groups like ISIL. Muslim Americans are our friends and our neighbors, our coworkers, our sports heroes, and, yes, they are our men and women in uniform who are willing to die in the defense of our country. We have to remember that.”

~ Source- NbcNews

Comedian drop Stages Names, To Be Now Known as Shugli-Jugli

Santa-Banta have made way for Shugli-Jugli. You got it right, the plea seeking a ban on Sardar jokes online has claimed its first casualty in Punjab. Two Sikh comedians, who have been performing under the names of Santa and Banta for the last 18 years, have announced to drop their stage names and adapt new ones.

Jalandhar-based Gurpreet Singh and Prabhpreet Singh adopted the names Santa and Banta, respectively, in 1997 and rose to fame with their stage shows on social issues; their video productions especially famous among the urban population.

However, a recent plea seeking a ban on sardar jokes egged on them to give up their famous names and choose new ones. They will now be known as Shugli (Gurpreet) and Jugli (Prabhpreet). Together, they would be known as Shugli Jodi translated as the comic pair.

So, are they hurt? Not really, they say.

“For the last few years, we too have been feeling that jokes on sardars are intended more at ridiculing the community and showing it in a bad light; it is no more about healthy humour. We also felt that people might be thinking of us when they read or saw distasteful jokes online,” they said while announcing their decision here on Sunday.

And this wasn’t an unfounded doubt. “So many times have we received calls and messages from people asking us if we were churning the jokes,” they said.

ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਤ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਹਕਾਮੀ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਹੋਤ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ
One who performs selfless service, without thought of reward, shall obtain his Lord & Master.

In Modern Man, the man forgets to take care of himself leave aside sparing time for the OTHERS. Gurmeet Singh has given a new definition to the meaning of ‘Humanity’ with his noble act.

The patients who are left unattended by their family member, this SIKH feeds them EVERY night and takes care of them with his warmth & personal touch. For them he is a GOD sent messenger.

Apart from taking care of his family responsibilities, he makes sure he fulfills his responsibility towards these suffering souls. He provides them solace with his compassion and affectionate vibes.

He has been religiously performing this sewa since 5 yrs. He not only provides them with food but also helps the ones in need with financial aid & medicines for their treatment.

The video will surely TOUCH with HEART! Blessed to be SIKH!

A Gurdwara has been vandalized in Los Angeles suburbs with hateful graffiti addressed towards ISIS, Sikh community leaders have said, fearing this “hate crime” is a repercussion of the California shooting.

“We are concerned about the safety and security of our community members. We are of the opinion that this is a hate crime and that this is a direct result of a possible backlash from the San Bernardino killings,” said Inderjot Singh, president of Sikh Gurdwara in Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles.

The incident, which occurred early on Sunday morning is being investigated by local law enforcement agencies.

“The Gurdwara was vandalized during early hours of Sunday and a hateful graffiti was seen on the walls of the Gurdwara and also a truck parked in the parking lot. The graffiti included the phrase, “F@#k ISIS,” and the words “Islam” and other reference of gangs,” Washington-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education said in a statement.

The Gurdwara is attended by over 800 community members on a weekly basis. The White House, which was informed about the incident, has forwarded the incident to the Department of Homeland Security to investigate.

“The Sikh community across the nation is in a heightened state of alert and is deeply troubled by this latest incident. We are appealing to all Sikh place of congregation to be in touch with the local law enforcement agencies as well with the elected officials,” Dr Rajwant Singh of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said.

Dr Singh also expressed concern over the recent anti-Muslim rhetoric made by some of the contenders of the American presidency.

“This will directly result in elevated level of violence against minority religions in America and particularly the Sikhs. We are fearful that this kind of hate speech against Muslims with engulf Sikhs and members of the Muslim community across the nation,” he said.
The Gurdwara is attended by over 800 community members on a weekly basis. The White House, which was informed about the incident, has forwarded the incident to the Department of Homeland Security to investigate.

“The Sikh community across the nation is in a heightened state of alert and is deeply troubled by this latest incident. We are appealing to all Sikh place of congregation to be in touch with the local law enforcement agencies as well with the elected officials,” Dr Rajwant Singh of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said.

Dr Singh also expressed concern over the recent anti-Muslim rhetoric made by some of the contenders of the American presidency.

“This will directly result in elevated level of violence against minority religions in America and particularly the Sikhs. We are fearful that this kind of hate speech against Muslims with engulf Sikhs and members of the Muslim community across the nation,” he said.

~ Source: NDTV.com

He meets this INSPIRING SIKH old Man & his heart touching gesture brings smile on his face!

A Man went to meet this Elderly SIKH in Lajpat Nagar, Central market, New Delhi, who fights every struggle with a smile. He Sells Toys To Feed His Family!

It was an honor for him meeting such a humble man who stands strong as rock to fight every struggle with a smile to support his family, After he bought everything he was selling, He lifted his merchandise bag which was by then empty, he removed his Glasses, wiped his tears and said he never expected this and blessed him “God will always keep you happy son”

He hugged him with his teary eyes and said ‘don’t you ever worry Uncle ji We’re all with you !.

We request you to please share this post to support him and Whenever you find someone fighting hard to defeat their struggles please forward your hand of humanity to help them, As nothing in this World gives more satisfaction to heart and their blessings will enlighten your Life… #BringingHumanityBack #PleaseShareToSupport

ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥

One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has – O Nanak, he knows the Path.

Salute to his spirit of working hard to earn a dignified livelihood!

~ Source: Varun Pruthi

Navjot Singh, a Sikh man living in London and working as an engineer, recently became the subject of brutal racism in Poland. Currently travelling through Europe, Navjot made a pit-stop at a club called Shakers when the incident happened.

“On Saturday night, a bouncer at a nightclub in Poland punched me in the face because I wear a turban.”
“I was refused entrance to Shakers Krakow because my face and dress didn’t correspond to a man’s view of what humanity should look like.”

“I listened while the bouncer verbally abused me, spat at me, and called me a terrorist. I stood my ground while he and his five colleagues surrounded me, and politely explained why his views were offensive.”

“I offered to shake his hand, agree to disagree and move on, and he punched me with so much force that my turban was knocked off my head. My religion and identity lay in a muddy puddle on the ground, to be trampled and trodden underfoot.”

“They (the police) made a note of the bouncer’s details, but told me that I shouldn’t expect the same treatment in Poland that I would get in the UK. That in Poland, white people and brown people are different.”

“I spent the remainder of the night consoling Steve, who couldn’t comprehend what had happened: “After what we saw at Auschwitz this morning, how is it possible that racism can even exist here?”

“I called my girlfriend. She cried, and said that humanity disgusted her. I think she’s wrong, for the record. Humans can be ignorant, unkind, cruel – sometimes worse. But they can also be beautiful.”

Been a subject of racism, Navjot’s positivism is infectious. He is a strong proponent of solidarity and tolerance among people of different races and this is why his reaction to the Poland incident has made such huge waves across the world.

He says, “Humanity isn’t disgusting. Just the views of a minority. And I’d like to think even they can be changed.

Racists and bigots shout loudly. Their words ring out like gun shots, every act of discrimination a bullet in the soul of humanity.

But our solidarity will shame them. Our compassion will silence them. Our tolerance will blind them. And, in time, their shouts will fade to whispers, and there will be no more ammunition.

~ Source- IndiaTimes

While making the whole world move with their grit and determination, three city residents have been selected for the state-level Disability Day award this year. Amarjit Singh Anand being one of them doesn’t need require any introduction.

This 60-year-old got the inspiration from his daughter who was a Down syndrome child. According to him, he himself doesn’t know as to when from a doting father he became enlighten for other parents. “The biggest problem in our society is that parent of such children do not come in open. They keep their children behind closed doors. Due to this, many children with acute disability goes unnoticed. I am trying hard to identify them and bring all of them to a common platform,” said Singh.

The three were honoured by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in Ludhiana on the National Disability Day.

Source- Tribune

Sign The Petition : www.charge.org/bansikh jokes

For years now, the Sikh community has been ridiculed, insulted, poked fun at, and portrayed as naive idiots, foolish and an object of amusement, all “in good nature.”

While Sikhs are a fun loving community, we DO NOT like when “12 Baje Jokes” or “Santa Banta Jokes” are cracked at our expense. It is not about Sikhs not being able to take a joke, it’s about hurting our religious sentiments.

Bullying is not funny. Nor is making fun of any religion.

A PIL in the Supreme Court is asking for websites specialising in these jokes to be banned. This is our time to take action.

Sign my petition urging the Supreme Court to ban the websites that defame and insult the Sikh community.

The Supreme Court will hear the case soon. If thousands of us sign this petition, we can show it to Honorable Supreme Court of India that racism is not funny.

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib in wednesfield, UK was vandalized by graffiti as an act of offensive with the use of a racial word. The miscreants wrote ‘Paki’ on the wall of the Gurdwara Sahib showing their ignorance and inability to identify who Sikhs are.

The Sikh Youth Project wrote a template letter to spread awareness on the incidents within the local community:

Dear fellow Brit,

Some miscreant has gratified the word ‘Paki’ on the car park wall of a Sikh temple in the West Midlands.

Kindly share this information on social media to help raise awareness on the Sikh place of worship, thanks. Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara (Sikh Temple)

It will have a Orange flag outside of it, symbolizing its a Sikh place of worship Very often the Gurdwara will have a white dome on top of the building

AND

It will clearly say Gurdwara or Sikh temple on the sign outside. We would like to add that NO place of worship should be a target of ANY kind of attack.

Kind Regards

Hi Friends,

I am Malkit Singh, an England-based Punjabi Bhangra Singer. With the grace of Akal Purakh I was the First Punjabi singer to be honoured with an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

The world danced on the tunes of my famous composition, ‘Gur Naal Ishq Mitha’. We are known for our Punjabi Culture, Bhangra moves and rich heritage.

The racist ridicule and Sikhs being portrayed as an object of amusement often hurt my religious sentiments.

Our history holds evident instances where Sikhs have laid their lives to protect the religious freedom. We are firm believers of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’, which means blessings for all and praying for the well-being of all.

We are known as those 12 o’ clock warriors, who fought at midnight to use the darkness to their advantage. The Nation is obliged to Sikhs for their unparalleled sacrifices!

Humour for CASUAL FUN is a healthy habit but stereotyping the entire community as a community of low intellect just for laughs doesn’t sound like a great idea.

It’s Time for us to take the responsibility that our Future generations should not bear these jokes. The Supreme Court has to act NOW!

[button color=”color” size=”medium” rel=”nofollow” url=”https://www.charge.org/bansikhjokes” icon=”link” iconcolor=”white” ] Sign the Petition NOW! [/button]