Dr. Nijher Speaking Tour: Days 4 and 5

Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, 2002
Days 4 and 5

Days 4 and 5 of the Sikh Awareness Tour this past weekend were spent educating Sacramento’s local communities about Sikh values.

Saturday was the start of the Jewish holy period, Rosh Ha-Shanah. Dr. Nijher addressed a Jewish synagogue asking the Jewish community to help us fight racism and discrimination. His message was well received, with many offering their heartfelt support.

On Sunday, a most popular day for Christians to observe their faith, Dr. Nijher spent the early part of his day delivering the same message, receiving another standing ovation, this time from the Lutheran Church community. Many Sikhs chose to attend the church services allowing them to serve as ambassadors of the Sikh message and further help educate others.

Most importantly, these events allowed Sikhs to attend and interact with other religions and cultures, leading to greater awareness of Sikhs. In all cases, the Sikh community and Dr. Nijher are appealing for tolerance and an end to the misguided hatred and 9-11 backlash.

When interviewed regarding events of 9-11, Dr. Nijher said, “Working at ground zero, NYPD, FDNY and the FBI never once questioned my identity. We were all working as one to save lives. These people had never met me. They had no idea who I was. When I asked for something, I had two or three people immediately run and bring me supplies.”

However, in the days following the horrific events of 9-11, Dr. Nijher said, “Unfortunately that American spirit of diversity did not carry over to the streets of New York. I was verbally abused and discriminated against simply because of my turban and beard.”

Not letting the backlash get the better of him, Dr. Nijher articulates, “Let’s honor the memory of the 9-11 victims by remembering that they represent the fabric of America. The victims were of all nationalities, ethnicities and religions. They represented the best of America. Let’s remember that diversity by uniting as a country and not allowing these terrorists to divide our great nation and ultimately prevail”.

Following a visit to the Sacramento Gurdwara to encourage other Sikhs to also serve as ambassadors of the Sikh message, Dr. Nijher headed to Houston for a Monday morning event.

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Dr. Nijher’s tour provides an ideal opportunity for the Sikh image and values to be clearly articulated to mainstream America. Newsweek and CBS News have recognized Dr. Nijher as a true American hero. He symbolizes the Sikh Americans’ true sprit of courage under fire and putting one’s life on the line to save others. For more information see
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/09/24/archive/main312265.shtml

The Sikh Communications Council (SikhCom) is an IRS recognized, 501c3 non-profit organization funded by the Sikh Community with the goal of educating the American public about Sikhs. Mr. Ed Vasquez (408-420-6558) of Sikh Communications is traveling with Dr. Nijher and coordinating all travel logistics, venue arrangements, press relations, press conferences and media
coverage.