Remembrance
In 2002, SikhNet invited you to share your stories, thoughts and remembrances of how the events of September 11th have impacted you or changed your life. We were very grateful to hear the not-often told stories of how September 11th perhaps brought people closer together, of how it made us more aware of what is really important.
Below are some of the stories sent to us by members of our cyber sangat. Thanks to those of you who shared your stories with the community.
Stories:
- A Day A Mother Will Never Forget (09-11-01)
- This Couldn't be the Act of Muslims
- Cool Down and Listen for a Moment
- Message from an 8 Year Old
- God in Everything
- Being Different is Much Less of a Celebration
- Foreigners in Our Own Country
- If We Were Khalsa
- Help Rebuild the Sense of Trust that is Part of American Society
- It Made America Realize What We Have Is Priceless
- I was in the Air that Day
- A Lot Has Changed
- A Little Unsure
- Funeral Prayer
- Extremely Saddened
- A Lot of Sikhs have Lost Their Identity
- What To Do?
- More Positive Than Negative
- The Courage to Educate
- One Nation, One People Under God
- Our Neighbors Came To Support Us
- Time to Preserve our Sikhi
- For an Immigrant, 9/11 Brought America the World
- I am Honored to Wear this Turban
- No Changes in Our Life
- Malaysian in Manhattan
- American Flag Armband
- Keep the Faith
A Day A Mother Will Never Forget (09-11-01)
I always had lived my life through the aspirations of my three lovely daughters. We struggled as a normal family after arriving in the United States of America from England in the early seventies - establishing ourselves in a quaint area of Long Island where we hold, to this day, precious memories as a close family. The kids grew up and went to College and my husband's company moved to Boca Raton, Florida. The kids were grown and strived to other areas of their life in New York and I was faced with the onset of the empty nest syndrome immediately upon arriving in Florida. In the 90's, the computer arrived for most of the homes in the U.S. and I yearned to get one and so we did.
So the joys of chat instant messaging came, e-mails, photos etc. This way I did not feel so bad as communication was getting easier and I did not feel so empty and aloof from my daughters.
On Monday night 09/10/01 my eldest daughter Harmita was tinkering with her new computer at home in New York City and we were able to see her live through some electronic camera connection. I thought things are really advancing with this new technology and what fun this is. We bid goodnight on the screen as most people had to get an early start for work the next day and I looked forward to have more live sessions on the computer with her.
I got up the next day ready for my usual routine of getting on the treadmill and just before grabbed the ringing phone wondering who could be ringing at this early hour. It was Natasha, my youngest daughter, calling from her mobile phone in Atlanta asking my eldest daughter's Harmita work phone number, as she did not have it with her. She was traveling from NY to Atlanta that week for business and so I gave her the number asking why she needed it at such an early hour of the day. She heard on the radio of her rented car as she was getting ready to leave to see a client that some sort of fire was going on at the WTC. She hung up swiftly with me without saying too much as not to concern me and said she would call back later.
Naturally my hands reached for the remote of the TV to see what in the world was going on. There it was- the Twin Towers standing majestically with anchorman and anchorwoman describing the horror of it all. I knew my daughter worked there in one of them but exactly where I did not know. She had been working with a company named Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. For some reason I had never seen the KBW office but I was sure that down the road I would have seen it by Thanksgiving which was usually the time that I visit NYC along with my husband to spend time with our three daughters.
I saw the fire in the first tower at the time and grabbed the phone to get through to Harmita but it was impossible to get through and in vain I tried again and again. I called with my hands numb and trembling to my husband's office and tried to explain what I was seeing. Since he could not see the graphics from where he was, I pleaded with him trying to properly explain the context of what I was seeing. At the same time he was hearing the same horrifying news coming from his co-workers. I hung up with him so he could get on the phone to try to reach our daughter. In the meanwhile my husband's brother called from New Jersey reassuring me that he thought she was on the 4th floor. I asked him to hang up as I realized his good nature of trying to keep me calm and that I wanted to keep the lines free for any news.
By 9:30 AM, my daughter Natasha called again from Atlanta saying to my dread that she was sure that Harmita was on the 89th floor of the 2nd Tower. She added that maybe it was time for us both to brace ourselves in facing a bit of reality and to most of all keep hoping. Fearful and alone she decided on the spot to cancel her client appointments and return to her hotel not knowing any outcome. Immediately I felt a sickness in the pit of my stomach as this was so unbelievable and surreal and I could not yet grasp the drama of it all. I must be watching a horror movie.
I then caught sight of the plane crashing in the second tower and became stupefied. Now the world knew that this was terrorism by the second hit. I fumbled the phone shaking to call my husband once more and by mistake got through to my brother-in-law in London, England watching the attacks on CNN not knowing that his niece was in the Tower and viewing seconds later the second tower collapsing.
Alone, frantic and helpless I started to pace up and down watching a world gone in total madness. I called again in tears to my husband not knowing what to do and his co-workers were saying to him, "Go home! go home!" over and over. I hung up with him and continued to grab the handset of the house phone including my mobile and staying close to all gadgets of communications unable to call anyone as my hands were shaking out of control already.
In the meanwhile, with the second tower collapsing ,I knelt to the floor praying to God, "Oh God let me hear from her," hoping and hoping. Everything was a blur. With my mind in a whirl, a call came and a faint voice full of garbled static reached me and I somehow managed to unscramble and recognize my daughter's voice that said, "Mommy?" and I said "Where are you? Where are you??" Over and over. "I am in midtown," she said and I repeated to her "Midtown? Are you sure?" to verify that she was away from the infernos. Under shock she told me to call everyone in the family to let them know she was alive and that she would call later. The call felt like we were in a war torn zone field and I just had experienced a real life miracle.
In the meanwhile as my other daughter Natasha later told me in Atlanta she went back to her hotel seeing everyone in the hotel lobby gawking at the TV screen and watching the second tower collapsing, knowing very well that her sister was in the tower. Under shock the hotel attendants offered to help and assist her as she retired alone and terribly upset to her hotel room saying that her sister was in the tower. She had also tried to reach her over and over with her mobile phone.
From her hotel room, she called me again and I exclaimed her sister was alive and it was an emotional moment.
I grabbed the phone again recollecting myself and found it difficult as other family members were flooding me with their calls and questions. I managed somehow to call my husband's office to let them know that she had survived and that I did not know the details yet and later he told me that he cried with everybody.
By lunchtime my husband came home and we embraced, knowing how blessed we were that our daughter had survived. We spent the rest of the day trying to register in our mind this abominable tragedy with the rest of the nation.
Later on in the day through the phone calls we learned that the night before, her boss had advised her to go to a banking seminar on Tuesday in midtown that he was supposed to go to and that she could choose a morning session or afternoon one. She opted to go for the morning one instead of the afternoon one.
When Harmita came out of the seminar after 10:00 AM in midtown after being in closed doors nobody knew what had happened. After the meeting, she got into a cab to take her to Twin Tower Two. The driver of the cab told her it was impossible to go there because of the fire and it took her a few good minutes to register what he was saying. Because of his Chinese accent he decided to increase the volume of the radio for her to hear the news and in disbelief she realized the magnitude of the matter - that her office had perished. With this horror Harmita got out of the cab and sat on the sidewalk curb unable to gather herself for a moment through the shock and then composed herself to go to one of the city's closest hotel lobbies to call me. She knew very well that the whole wide world was looking for her.
Harmita then proceeded to some other area of Manhattan to join her brother-in-law Jagminder who was looking all over for her and realizing that she, too, must have perished. I also tried in vain to reach him after that to let him know not to go near the infernos. They both later went to his home on Long Island to join Kiren my middle daughter and children for refuge.
The remainder of the day was spent calling and receiving calls from relatives and friends in concern to what had happened and to know if everything was all right. We all took a visit to the local Guru Granth Sahib for comfort and thankfulness. My daughter's coworkers all perished including her boss with a total of 63 losses in the company.
Natasha abandoned all client trips in Atlanta for the whole week unable to cope with the disaster and decided to drive home to NYC as all flights were cancelled for two to three days. She passed the Pentagon as she drove and saw the other disaster still fuming. Our children of this generation never experienced such tragedies and fears.
My middle daughter Kiren coped as best as she could to explain to her very young children this awful tragedy.
Harmita came to Florida a week later to recover for a few days. KBW had relocated in another part of Manhattan and Harmita offered her services for the survivors of the deceased and spent time attending funerals for the following many months. She also had to get counseling and will still need it at times because of the survivor guilt.
The world is full of perils and some of us make it and some of us don't. I have started praying in hope of a better world. I have become a more concerned mother than ever as to what life on earth our children are going to live and face up to. When they leave and I hug them goodbye I worry in the back of my mind that it the last time that I am going to see them.
None of us will ever forget that day and I have not got back on the treadmill.
Joan Surindar K. Selhi
Boca Raton, Florida
United States
back to topThis Couldn't be the Act of Muslims
I live in Malaysia. I happened to have caught the earliest telecast of the attacks on TV. It was about a quarter past 10pm local time, just minutes after it happened in New York. Although no commentary was given, I knew at that time that a momentous event had occurred. I spent a good part of the night wondering, "What is to come. What had happened?? When I learnt from the net the next morning that the towers had collapsed, my heart sank. I knew then that this event was going to have global repercussions.
Although I was not directly impacted by the events of that September 11 day, nevertheless it bore a deep significance to me. I live in a Muslim nation. When you have learnt and lived your whole life among Muslims, you can imagine what kind of impact this news had on the nation. Many Muslims were in denial. "This couldn’t be the act of Muslims!" I remember my friends saying.
The event on that fateful September morning has highlighted in no uncertain terms the role religion plays in our daily life. Whatever the motive of the attackers, it is without a doubt they accomplished it while proclaiming a strong sense of religious duty. It was extremely sad to see how religion could be used to perpetuate such a hideous crime. But the history of the world shows us that this is not something new.
More then anything, September 11th has brought forth the dangers of religious extremism and fanaticism. No faith is immune from this, as the attack on Balbir Singh clearly bears witness. It the months since September, a lot of damage has been done to inter-religious relationships amongst people all over the world. In many parts of the world, religious tolerance has taken wings and religious homogeneity is regarded by some as the only way to keep one’s country safe. In a world that is rushing into globalization, such tendencies indicate that our struggle to return peace to the world has a long way to go.
To say that we live in troubled times is putting it mildly. Trust and tolerance is preciously rare. Appreciation of another’s beliefs is totally out of fashion. It seems that the true test of faith is here.
B.S. Gill
Ipoh, Perek
Malaysia
back to topCool Down and Listen for a Moment
This incident happened earlier this year in Australia. I was standing alone at this suburban bus stop waiting for a bus to the city. Suddenly, two young white males approached me and started shouting "Mohammed Mohammed" -a case of mistaken identity taking me to be a Muslim because of the turban and the beard. They had no idea who a Sikh was. Rather than reacting irrationally with a counter abuse, I calmly asked them to cool down and listen to me for a moment. They did so and I told them about our Great religion Sikhism and its ideals of Oneness of God, the message of equality and peace for all mankind. Their reaction after we spoke after about five minutes was in their words, "Mate, you seem to be a believer of a wonderful faith and it is a pity that not many people know about the fine messages that your religion has to convey."
Well, yes, this remark really made me realize one more thing. Why is it that despite Sikhs being so dynamic a community spread across the world in millions - - so few people actually know about us? Why can’t we find a solution to this and make efforts for more awareness? We should learn from other minority religions like the Jews who are also a minority but well known throughout the world and very powerful even in the United States. In this day and age of Information, it would really be disheartening if we don’t unitedly put our efforts and resources together to bring about a real change from the current situation. For a bright future for Sikhism, it is imperative that the Sikh youth know about the incalculable vastness of the message our Great Gurus wanted to convey to their beloved Sikhs.
As a young Sikh, I earnestly hope something is done unitedly.
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
H.I. Singh
Queensland, Australia
back to topMessage from an 8 Year Old
This is really a very sad happening, and we must fight together to erase these types of acts. Every human being has the same color of blood. Either he or she is a Muslim, Hindu Sikh, Christian or he belongs to any other religion - but still we have One God.
With love to every body....
Komal Gill
8 years old
Stockton, CA
United States
back to topGod in Everything
Last week, I attended a Gurmat Sikhi camp along with many other young Sikhs. The camp brought us all together. We learnt about how we are all from one family, all created by One God. The camp made us realize that there is God in everything - including our enemies.
Thanks for reading.
Waheguru Je Ka Khalsa , Waheguru Je Ke Fathe
Baldeep Singh
Slough, United Kingdom
back to topBeing Different is Much Less of a Celebration
9/11 has created a lot of anxiety. It is affecting everybody. Before 9/11, there was a very clear air of independence, personal liberty, safety, the freedom to be yourself, a sense of being in a genuinely happy place with easy-going attitudes. The gaps between different ethnicities were considerably thin. Since 9/11, world views and previous assumptions about the society we live in have changed. Individual rights are being affected, especially at the airports. The Islamic and Arabic communities are being looked at differently. Being different in much less of a celebration now. Since I get thoroughly checked at the airports, done intentionally or unintentionally, I am starting to believe there is some racial profiling.
From the Sikh perspective, I think the airline industry would be served by having a turbaned Sikh as a security guard. He would help identify the higher-risk clients and avoid the blanket policy against all people wearing turbans, which in real life are mostly exclusively Sikhs in the USA.
9/11 was a sad event. It was hurtful, and it changed America.
Jasvendar Singh Nandra
NC, United States
back to topForeigners in Our Own Country
I am a software professional working for an MNC in New Delhi, India. I and my wife traveled to Stockholm last October for an official assignment. Although we overheard remarks about being "Taliban" at various places we traveled - in subway stations in London, on the boat to Helsinki - this was probably a case of mistaken identities. The thing that hurt most was at the Indian Airport. When we returned in February 2002, the Indian airport guys questioned us as if we are coming from Afghanistan. The visas we had clearly showed the name of the company, and I answered lots of questions about my credentials. Still the guy told that us that we look like Afghani. Then he started questioning my wife and went on from her childhood to her growing up to marriage. The thing that hurt us was that entire process was carried out in such rude and unfeeling manner. We felt like foreigners in our own country. When we were in foreign land, we somehow still reconciled that foreigners wouldn’t distinguish. I was sure Indians could. Alas it was not the case!
Parvinder Singh
Delhi, India
back to topIf We Were Khalsa
The fact of the tragedy of September 11th, and afterwards, the ill treatment of Sikhs living abroad…
The fact is that we are not Khalsa. If we were Khalsa, this would not have happened to the Sikh community. I think I am able to explain! If not let us read and think about the words which our God Father Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Sahib ji Maharaj has said:
"Jab lag Khalsa rahe nihara, Tab lag tej dion meha sara, Jab eha gaye biprin ke reet meha na karoon inki parteet."
If we become Khalsa, our KHUSBOO will be on every part of the World and we can protect the world from these extremist attacks.
Bikramjit Singh
New Delhi, India
back to topHelp Rebuild the Sense of Trust that is Part of American Society
I often hear the phrase, "Since September 11"… followed by observations about how our world has changed in the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attacks on that beautiful, sunny day. We all remember where we were when we heard the news, and it seemed that time stood still while we tried to absorb the impact of these events. The truth is, we still do not know the full impact on our lives, and we are living history as we speak. It is my hope that, in spite of predictions of turbulence and world destruction, people of positive consciousness can influence the course of world events.
The morning after that fateful day, I drove through our small Virginia town with an eerie sense that everyone had gone home and drawn the curtains. The streets seemed deserted. Our local grocery store was empty, and the clerk at the check-out had a nervous look of uncertainty on his face. Behind his register, a small TV blared out the news, and I had a strong sense that I did not belong in the store. I suddenly didn’t know where I belonged; I just wanted to go home. In the parking lot, at the sound of a plane flying overhead, a few people stood and stared at the sky, and I wondered what kind of plane it was. That was the last plane I heard that day, and the silence of our skies near Dulles Airport reminded me that something was seriously amiss. As I stopped at a red light outside the store, there was only one other car at the intersection. When the driver saw me in my Sikh turban, he screamed "Hey Bin!!?" gave me an obscene gesture and peeled away in anger. Shaken and confused, I headed home as quickly as possible.
The next two weeks were filled with shock and sorrow for us all. Naturally, people with relatives and friends who perished in the attacks and residents of New York City and Washington, D.C. were affected in the deepest and most profound ways. Like most people, I felt a pain in sympathy for those directly impacted but also a sense of foreboding about how we all would respond to this experience. When Balbir Singh Sodhi was killed in Arizona because he wore a turban, it was clear that Sikhs, Muslims, and many people of mid-Eastern descent were suddenly suspects within our own American society.
For most of my adult life I have believed that if you want to change the world, you first have to change yourself. With the practice of Kundalini Yoga, Sikh prayer, healthy living, and conscious parenting, I thought I was contributing to improving the world in a very small, but very meaningful way. Although our 3HO ashram is near Washington, D.C., I had never been very involved with the political activities that take place in our area. We all felt a sense of mutual tolerance with our neighbors based on the very American ideal of celebrating diversity and freedom of thought.
That sunny day in September made it clear to me that working on myself would never again be enough to help the world be a better place. Unless I planned to stay home with the curtains drawn for the rest of my life, I would have to get out and help rebuild the sense of trust that is a part of our American society. Many of us in our ashram realized that now is the time for people of kindness and consciousness to become more active than ever to counter-balance the effects of mistrust and malevolence.
Within days of the attack, several people from our ashram met with the mayor of our town. We have lived and taught yoga here for over twenty years and had never met any of our local politicians. We went to open our lines of communication, so that it would be clear to our neighbors that as Sikhs who wear turbans, we support our American way of life and would never support any type of terrorist activity. Until September 11, that seemed obvious, but after that day, nothing seemed obvious. Within weeks of the attack, we invited the local police, town administrators and neighbors to an evening of information-sharing and praying for world peace. Everyone we met seemed open and grateful for our efforts at easing the pain of the times.
One day in early October, a friend called to invite my husband to a prestigious political event in Washington, D.C. When I told the caller that Sat Want Singh was out of town, I had a sudden feeling of being at a personal crossroads. I knew it was a special opportunity to be invited to meet some of the top political officers of the Democratic Party. I also knew that I had spent many years avoiding these types of situations and that I would much rather stay home. In the second that it took a thousand thoughts to go through my brain, I said, "I’ll go to the meeting." I think the caller was a bit shocked, and for a moment I sensed his hesitancy. I was a bit shocked at my response, as well. When he responded, "Great. I’ll email you directions." - I knew I had committed myself way beyond my comfort zone.
That evening I met Terry McAauliffe, head of the Democratic National Committee, former members of President Clinton’s staff, and several other top Democratic Party strategists. There were only about 25 people at the meeting, so my presence was definitely noticed. I felt awkward and out of place, but I also felt that the invitation was a gift that needed to be accepted. I felt very shy, but somehow I made it through the meeding. I kept reminding myself that I was there to share my positivity, and that everything else would have to take care of itself. The best part of the evening was when one of the members came up to me, looked at my nametag and said, "Oh. Sat Nam. I used to take Kundalini Yoga classes in Oregon." Whew. That helped.
People in our ashram started receiving other opportunities to meet with politicians of both parties from all over the country. In all our years in this area, we never expected to become politically active in any shape or form, but we understood that times have changed. It brings to my mind a famous quote from the great American philosopher, Yogi Berrer. "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
In October, Sikh leaders met with President Bush and encouraged him to lead the country in religious and multi-cultural tolerance. In the last few months, I have met Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Tom Daschle, Senator Dick Durbin, Tipper Gore, Madeleine Albright and many other politicians. When I meet them, I tell them that I am a Sikh and that we support our country and all efforts towards peace. I met the Home Minister of India (equivalent to our Secretary of State) and asked him to please keep the peace with Pakistan. It has been an experience of personal challenge and expansion for me to meet these people, and I feel stronger than ever that it is meaningful to reach out and create understanding wherever possible. I have found that there are many sincere public servants who are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our country’s ideals.
Recently Kartar Singh and I attended a Democratic Party issues gathering at the home of Senator Hillary Clinton. Once again, I felt personal reluctance at being in an environment that was beyond my comfort zone. Once again I was surprised at meeting several people who had taken yoga classes or who knew about our Sikh lifestyle, as well as many people who were gracious and friendly.
Senator Clinton gave a speech that had particular meaning for me. She reminded us that other generations have gone through times of tremendous turmoil and trepidation. She quoted President Roosevelt and his famous phrase, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Certainly, this concept applies to us all today as well. There is no doubt that we are in a time that requires increased vigilance and heightened security measures in our society. However, we must not get lost in the fear of the future. Only through facing our fears and going beyond our comfort zone will we elevate ourselves personally and socially. Now, more than ever, we can make a difference.
Sat Nam Kaur Khalsa
Herndon, VA
United States
back to topIt Made America Realize What We Have Is Priceless
September 11th, a date that will live in history is approaching our nation once again. No matter what religion, ethnicity, or color you are, this horrific day affected everyone in one way or another.
Even though America was attacked, Americans were stronger than ever. The Twin Towers fell and America was in shock and in need of help. President Bush asked America to come as one to serve their nation. The great people of America did just that. Volunteers from all over the world helped. They donated money, food, supplies, blood, and their valuable time to help out.
The loss of innocent lives, the sorrow, and loving life in general bought people together. Watching the news and seeing families searching for their loved ones was unbearable. It was sad to see children looking for their parents, and parents looking for their children.
It made America realize what they had was priceless. Parents appreciated their kids more. They started spending more time with their kids, and showing their children how important they are. The younger youth of this nation started appreciating their parents more as well. No matter what kind of relationship you have with your parents or kids you would never imagine them dying the way innocent people died on September 11th.
Being a Sikh-American I have a total new respect for the American Flag. Seeing the American Flag on cars, houses, in stores, and on clothing was just so patriotic. When people saw the flag they knew that they could turn to someone that is going thru the same situation. People did not mind approaching someone and starting a discussion about the attack. I heard people talking about President Bush. They were just amazed by the way he was handing the situation. He had confidence in the American people and the American people had confidence in him.
Americans getting the education about different religions and different backgrounds helped them understand one another. Americans were willing to cooperate with everyone. It made them realize that no matter where you come from everyone has a mark in this nation. America being a melting pot, everyone has the right for freedom, liberty, and freedom of speech.
I think this tragedy has bought America together in a way that it’s hard to imagine. People were willing to help strangers in any way possible, or willing to lend a shoulder to lean on. It is also sad to see that this tragedy had to be struck for America to be one. I hope as time goes on people will accept each other, regardless of race, ethnicity, and color. You cannot judge a book by its cover. You don’t know what is inside a person until you get to know them. As they say, looks can be deceiving. So let’s stop the hate and appreciate what and who we are. America will never be defeated as long as this nation sticks together side by side.
Parminder Shergill
Easton, PA
United States
back to topI was in the Air that Day
Well to be honest - I was in the air that day of Sept 11th. I was traveling with my wife and father coming back from a wedding in London, England. We were airborne for about 1 and a half hours when terror struck. The pilots had found out immediately and had told the flight crew but none of the passengers were told, of course. It’s kind of funny - I was traveling as an employee of an airline at the time, and the flight crew knew this. I had asked if I could show my dad the cockpit of the plane. The stewardess kind of looked at me weird and said, "Let me ask the pilots." I'm sure that must have freaked them out. She came back and said "Unfortunately, we can't do that." I said that’s fine anyway. When we were landing in Calgary, I found it odd that so many planes were parked. I saw planes that never came in to Calgary. I knew something was wrong. After we landed, the pilot came on the air and told everyone what had happened and thanked the flight crew for keeping their composure. After we got off the plane I met a few guys that I worked with and they showed me the paper and pictures of what had happened and then the SHOCK kicked in. After that, it’s been a NEW WORLD ORDER.
Sandy Dhinjal
Vancouver, BC
Canada
back to topA Lot Has Changed
Since September 11, the most terrible thing has happened. The whole world has changed. In Hong Kong a lot has changed. A lot of people have lost their jobs. The economy went very down. I could not sleep well for almost a month. It kept coming into my mind even when I closed my eyes. It’s really really a very terrible tragedy and a big shock to the whole world. I would like to take this opportunity to say to the people who lost their beloved ones that I know it’s really hard to forget that tragedy. But you have to be strong and much stronger than before to face the future. Don't let the enemies know that we cannot stand up from September 11.
Harnam Kaur
Hong Kong
back to topA Little Unsure
Ever since Sept. 11, people are a lot more unsure about the brown coloured, turban- wearing person. A little afraid or unsure. A lot more people look out from the corner of their eye towards a turban wearing person unsure of what they are. Ignorance plays a big part in the western world. They are so little informed about the other cultures in the world...
Irony is that Singhs stand out the most...
Sunny
London, United Kingdom
back to topFuneral Prayer
Oh magnificent Creator,
You have given us all we need.
You have clothed the naked,
You have fed the hungry,
You cause the great spheres to rotate in the heavens.
May Your great name be exalted and hallowed in the universe,
which has been created by Your graceful word,
from which salvation sprouts forth.
You are exalted, above all blessings,
adoration, and praise.
May complete peace descend onto us from Heaven
and may we experience Your bliss and eternal Life.
You have given us our beloved __________,
and they have passed on
to the other dimension of existence.
Though we grieve their absence,
we dwell not on our loss,
but on the legacies they have left behind -
all the blessings that they have imparted to us.
Though they be in another dimension,
they are not separated from us -
as they merge with You,
so do we now merge with You,
submitting to Your divine will and love,
to reign over every aspect of our essence.
Now that we have merged even more to You,
the pain of the loss of our loved ones is no longer,
because they are in You,
and we now are in You.
You have given us our loved ones.
You are our source of comfort.
You are our source of sustenance.
You are our source of peace.
You are our source of guidance.
Har Simirit Kaur
Silver Springs, Maryland
United States
back to topExtremely Saddened
Waheguruji Ka Khalsa, Waheguruji Ki Fateh,
I have not been directly affected too much by the 9/11 tragedy except extremely saddened to see our beloved Gursikhs being targeted by ignorant people all over the world.
Sat Siri Akal.
Sarjit Kaur
East Otto, New York
United States
back to topA Lot of Sikhs have Lost Their Identity
Sept 11th had a big impact on Sikhs of North America. Unfortunately, it has caused a lot of Sikhs to lose their identity in fear of backlash. Personally, as an individual with a turban, I was lucky that I didn’t have any physical threats against me but only had cowards holler from cars. September 11th brought many ignorant people together to learn, but unfortunately Sikhs will be stigmatized once the next Sept.11th happens again.
Jaspal Singh Marwaha
Toronto, ON
Canada
back to topWhat To Do?
The UK was in a state of shock, regardless of colour or race. Some decided that to vent their disapproval of what was, in my humble opinion, an act of rarely ever seen extreme cowardice and hatred, they would make a point to make all turban wearers, regardless of beard presence feel responsible. I experienced fingers pointed with expressions of disgust and hatred; I had never felt so segregated from my fellow people. At my local snooker and American pool centre, well into 2002, I experienced racist remarks and jokes were told about Osama Bin Laden by people standing right next to me. I did not feel intimidated, just saddened and angry that the general public was so blatantly ignorant, and worse still did not care that they were. I rarely go back there to play American pool.
I am lucky that my family or I have not been attacked, as the men are all full-bearded, turban-wearing Sikhs. I feel great sadness for all the children growing up without parents in USA and partners who face a life with an emptiness that will last for the rest of their lives. Rebelling against our neighbours that now see us as their enemies will only cause more problems, and trying to educate those that don't care for the education is equally futile. What to do? What to do?
Rajinder Singh
Birmingham, West Midlands
United Kingdom
back to topMore Positive Than Negative
It has been my good fortune to be a Sikh in America for 30 years. The Guru has blessed me with prosperity and good health for my family and myself. When I began wearing a Turban in the early 1970's it was a difficult adjustment period, but there are more positive things that have come of it than negative. There have been times when my patience with people staring or being rude has been lacking. Since September 11th, the hostility level has increased measurably. There was an instance where I had to physically defend myself against 2 persons who mistook me for a Taliban Muslim.
September 11th has also brought about a good deal of support from the friendships that I have been blessed with here in Rochester, NY. The tension level has diminished somewhat as time passes and it seems that better times are coming.
Maha Atma Singh
Penfield, New York
United States
back to topThe Courage to Educate
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
The Sept 11th event has probably had the worst impact on human life in general. No matter who you are, whether Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jew, and or whatever nationality you belong to, it has increased stress levels of every individual one way or another. I work in a Nuclear Power Generating Plant in Ontario. You will appreciate to what extent the security arrangements were enhanced and how difficult it was to gain entry through Air Ports or to the Nuclear Power Plant and that, too, for an Amritdhari Singh. But, I look at the other side of the coin. Being an Amritdhari Sikh, Guru has given me that confidence to bring forward the issues arising out of the enhanced security measures and go and talk to the higher authorities to increase the awareness of the Security Staff regarding the Sikh community. Joint Management and Employee efforts succeeded and I was allowed to brief them on our requirements of Sikh Rehat Maryada, and explain what the principles of Sikhism are, what are its basic requirements, and what they should expect from an Amritdhari Sikh entering the plant. By the good grace of Waheguru, things went through. The security procedures were revised and here I am with no problems, passing through security every morning. Whilst I thank the management for understanding Sikh's problems, I thank the Almighy Waheguru for blessing everyone around - including me - with that confidence to approach the management and explain to the whole fleet of security our requirements. This is all possible only if Je Sat Gur Nadar Kare.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Sant Singh
Whitby, Ontario
Canada
back to topOne Nation, One People Under God
Little did I know as I sat down with my host S S Dayal S Khalsa unwinding from my 4 1/2 hour trip from Millis, Ma to his home. We sat there watching CNN until about 1 am before retiring. The next time I saw light around 5:30am, we did our sadhana. Then, we then went to our respective rooms to tie our turbans for the day. As we proceeded to leave his home in Long Island and drive into the city, Dr Dayal Singh's cell phone rang. The time was 8:58am (9/11). The voice on the other end instructed Dayal Singh to turn on any channel of the television and remained put. We soon would learn why!
We were stunned as we saw the first tower smoking. But even more amazing was watching the second tower being hit by a commercial jet live while we watched. Within an hour both towers would collapse and the World became a little smaller and each moment was like sitting on the edge of space.
I spent the rest of the day calling my fellow workers in our company to see if they were all safe. Interestingly my oldest daughter (Satpavan Kaur) called from Eugene, Oregon at about 9:15am (6:15am Pacific time) to see if I was safe (knowing that I was supposed to be close to NYC). She asked what she should do? I said pray... read from the Guru and ask for the answers.
Later that day on the 11th of September, Satpavan Kaur reached me again to tell me the same Hokum she had taken in Eugene was the one taken at Harimandir Sahib the day before in Amritsar, India! Now this is a rare Hokum. It’s the only "prophesy" in the entire Siri Guru Granth.
The words of the Guru came from Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Himself. He was witnessing the invasion of northern India (Punjab) in the 16th Century. He spoke of: "the invasion from Kabul, and Babar causing pain, suffering and despair. Satan had come to the wedding feast." I was impressed how she had been blessed to receive the same connection that several thousand devotees in the ambrosial hours in Amritsar had received.
Since the state of emergency was so heightened, I couldn't leave Uniondale, NY until the 15th (Saturday). I left at 4pm and arrived in Millis about 9pm. I would later learn that Balbir Singh Sodhi would be slain in Mesa, Arizona by a man claiming to be a "patriot" that same day!
When I arrived at Guru Ram Das Ashram in Millis that evening my first phone call was to Julius Rosen (a former Post Commander of American Legion Post #208; and a WWII veteran.) My thoughts were to bring the village of Millis: Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Sikhs together to pray and sing to the same One Creator as one people. I knew as a member of the local American Legion that it was made of 90% WWII veterans. I knew they had experienced this kind of event before. They made up this town and were its oldest citizens. If they would get behind our plan of "Unity in Community", the entire town would rally.
They knew me and understood my commitment to America and that our community which had stood for over 20 years in Millis was made of mostly Sikhs.
From there Julius and I spoke to the current Post Commander. Several sevadars from our Millis Gurudara went to the local Churches, Synagogue and visited with Chief James Kozak (our local Police Chief) along with Chief Warren Champlain (our local Fire Chief) and met with the political leaders of the community. It was agreed that Guru Ram Das Gurudwara/Ashram would host about 300-500 local Millis citizens on Oct 11th (one month to the day). Our Gurudwara committee organized the entire program. On the stage would be the American Legion Chaplain; a Rabbi; a Priest; a Minister and two Sikh ministers.
It went off without a hitch by Guru's Grace. We served Yogi Tea with cookies. Our guests and ourselves become closer. Since that time, I feel our local community in Millis has grown.
Memorial Day (May 30th 2002) I was asked by the American Legion to be the honored speaker usually reserved for "past Post Commanders." It was an honor to be asked by WWII, Korean and Viet Nam veterans to be their featured speaker. My subject was the true meaning of Sacrifice and Commitment. My focus was on a former Viet Nam Vet: Retired Colonel "Rick" Rescorla who died on September 11th after saving close to 3,000 employees of Morgan/Stanley-Dean Witter in the South Tower of the WTC. He led everyone to the ground floor safely (20 floors of employees) and then went into the first tower not knowing that it was about to fall to help others.
"Its not the life you live, but the courage you bring to it"
He was a Cornish born (English) man who came to the US in 1964. A year later he would be fighting as a platoon leader of the 1st Battalian; 7th US Cavalry; in the Valley of Death (Ia Drang Valley) South Viet Nam. This Memorial Day event was covered by three local newspapers.
Now we are almost a year later and there is a program sponsored by the Millis Fire Dept. As we look around our small, quaint town, we will see Asian born Sikhs, Canadian born Sikhs, American born Sikhs, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and former veterans of three wars.
We will be united in prayer, in gratitude and community.
One Nation, one people under God.
S. S. Sathanuman S. Khalsa
Jethadar, Guru Ram Das Gurudwara
Millis, Ma
United States
back to topOur Neighbors Came Out To Support Us
The Eleventh of September, 2001 devastated us all. There is no doubt that this has been the most tragic act of terrorism. We Sikhs grieved it as much as any other person in America and the world. We feared retribution because of our turban, which was mistaken to be akin to Osama Bin Laden.
We had pre-arranged Sri Akahnd Paath (Ed. Note - a continuous reading of the sacred scriptures of the Sikhs) at our house from September 13th to 15th, 2001 for thanksgiving to Waheguru for his blessings on my daughter Kavneet Kohli-Chhabra, a doctor, who had been accepted in a residency program in July 2001. It was a big celebration at our home and was a catered affair. All the invitations had been issued.
My friends and well wishers asked me to call off Sri Akhand Paath due to likely repercussions since all my guests would be wearing turbans and may attract retribution. Canceling Sri Akhand Paath was a bad omen for my consciousness. So we decided to go ahead. I had immense faith in the fairness of American society and believed that nothing would happen. The big question was how long can we hide in our houses? We have to come out and tell society who we are. I printed a big flyer addressed to all the residents in the immediate neighborhood, informing them that we are Sikhs and have nothing to do with whatever has happened on 9/11. I said in the flyer that we are as hurt as anybody else, but since this purely religious ceremony was planned ahead of time, we will be having Sri Akhand Paath at our house. I informed them that for three days, they will see a lot of traffic of turbaned people, which should not be misjudged as a celebration of the terrorist attack. The extra traffic might cause them parking problems for which we will make proper arrangements. We invited them to visit us and see for themselves the ceremonies we are performing and I informed them that at the culmination of Akhand Paath, we will be praying for all those who died in the terrorist attack. I requested them to join in the prayer meeting. I also set up a notice board on the garage door and placed all relevant literature about Sikhism and the photographs of the Sikhs who have been doing tremendous effort to mourn the event and render volunteer services.
Suddenly all my neighborhood became aware of our religious identity and they all came out in support of us. Everyone promised that nothing will happen to our celebrations and that they will all watch to ensure that no unsocial element comes to disrupt our ceremonies. In fact many visited us during the Paath and ceremonies and joined us in prayer, which was, besides thankgiving, also held to honor all dead and prayed for their souls to rest in heaven. Those friends, who advised me to cancel earlier, appreciated my effort to reach out to our community and inform them of Sikhism and its philosophy.
The moral of the story is that we have to be part of this community and this country and be affected by the events here. We can not live in isolation and hide our real identity or religion. This tragedy has brought us more recognition than anytime before. We should be proud to be Sikhs and use this awareness and tell the whole world the philosophy and the teachings of Sikhism.
Wahe Guruji Ka Khalsa
Wahe Guruji ki Fateh.
Prabhjot Singh Kohli
Baltimore, Maryland
United States
back to topTime to Preserve our Sikhi
Sat Sri Akal ji.
One of the first thoughts to come into my mind soon after the September 11 attacks sending it's shockwaves to communities and countries around the world was that, as Sikhs, It was an awakening call. The same could be said for every other community, country or religion.
We have been untrue to ourselves and it was the moment of judgment in which innocent people lost their lives as the price we had to pay to realize the message that lay within the tragic phase in this century.
In ignorance, many let out backlashes on more innocents while the guilty were unshaken. Our own ignorance that has accumulated over the years showed its face in that moment. In fear, many went into hiding, others, up in arms, went out to protest.
For us Sikhs, it was time to stand up and be counted. For those who put away their identity in fear, they've lost their faith in their Guru and have forgotten how they never gave into worse crimes committed against the Sikh Panth. Our faith was tested that day and until today we still ponder over what happened and why.
I live in Kenya and may be thousands of miles away from where the 9/11 tragedy happened, but believe me, the shockwaves were felt all the way here. As turbaned and bearded Sikhs, we were no less targets of ignorance than my brothers and sisters were in America and in other parts of the world. The situation in America must have been volatile for the Sikhs, but it was the time to wake up and accept our identity and remember our heritage as Sikhs.
The backlashes against us were a manifestation of our not having done enough to tell the world who the Sikhs are. Since 9/11, thousands of Americans may have known who the Sikhs are, but that is not enough. We still have a lot of work to do. We need to keep the faith, hold on tight, for the times of challenge have not ended. These are only signs of things to come. The guru has taught us exactly how to be prepared. If we preserve our Sikhi, the Guru will see us through troubled times.
Lakhvir Singh
Nairobi, Kenya
back to topFor An Immigrant, 9/11 Brought America The World
Most of all, I remember the stillness. School had been suspended in the middle of the day. As I rode home, the city was shuttering down. Businesses were closing, hand-lettered signs put in windows. Knots of anxious people clustered around storefronts listening to the radio. Everyone had left their televisions on, though there was no new news. The same images repeated over and over again, the same few details recited in somber funereal tones.
There was an air of disbelief, of suspension, a feeling that the world as we knew it was ending. Though we did not know it then, revenge riots were already breaking out in parts of the city. There would be bloodletting before the night was through -- small convenience stores vandalized, people killed, homes burned. But it was still deceptively calm as we absorbed the shock of what had happened.
It was Oct. 31, 1984, and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had just been killed by her Sikh bodyguards.
When the Twin Towers fell in New York last Sept. 11, I remembered that hushed feeling from 1984. For many of us from the teeming countries where most of the world's population lives, Sept. 11 felt horribly familiar. Buildings exploding. Bodies. Rubble. Death counts in the hundreds, even thousands. Except this was America. It wasn't supposed to happen here.
In America, we were supposed to be safe. We came here to be safe -- from sleeping sickness, pogroms and terrorists. Here, the borders were sealed behind us so thoroughly that not even an errant mango could get in. My neighbor in India tried to smuggle in some Alphonso mangoes that his daughter in New Jersey adored. But customs officials at JFK yanked the illegal fruits out of his suitcase.
When I came to the United States for the first time, I wondered if immigration officials would harass me, a single man in his 20s from a turbulent part of the world. I didn't have to worry. Customs officials and their formidable sniffing dogs were much more interested in middle-aged Indian women. I watched as they rifled through the contents of the bursting-at-the-seams suitcase of a lady who could have been my aunt. They knew if anyone was likely to try and smuggle in some forbidden Indian mangoes or gourds it would probably be some overindulgent mother visiting from Delhi. I wondered about this strange land that so feared a ripe mango.
With Sept. 11, there was really something to be afraid of. I knew that with fear and anger would come backlash, just as there had been for the Sikhs in India in 1984. Oddly, the first victims in the aftermath here were Sikhs as well, mistaken for Osama bin Laden look-alikes because of their turbans and beards. I knew there would long delays in airports and people in uniform pawing through suitcases. I knew because I had been to the airports in India after a plane was hijacked by Islamic militants in 1999. I knew there would be a dragnet that would sweep up hundreds of innocent people as lawmakers tried to cobble together new laws to make us feel safer. As the death count went up it became harder and harder, especially for those of us far away on the West Coast, to mourn what had essentially become a number. I knew how to take numbers in stride. In India people joked darkly that when a tree falls, it kills 50 people.
Knowing this made nothing easier. I didn't feel smugly superior, as if I knew how to navigate through this new America. But it was a strange feeling to watch the most advanced country in the world struggle to adjust to rules and regulations and inconveniences that used to be part and parcel of our daily lives. It was disconcerting to realize how I had never really left that world behind.
On Sept. 11, 2001 that world gate-crashed into America. And I mourned for the lost innocence of a country that once so quixotically stopped ripe Alphonso mangos at its borders.
Sandip Roy
San Francisco, CA
United States
Sandip Roy is a contributor for Pacific News Service and
host of "Upfront" -- the Pacific News Service weekly radio program on KALW-FM, San Francisco.
Pacific News Service
Article Dated 9/4/2002
(c)Copyright PNS
back to topI Am Honored to Wear This Turban
In early December last year I took a plane trip to Phoenix, AZ from Massachusetts to attend a conference. It was an international psychotherapy conference and thousands of people were there from all over the world. The day before the conference officially began, hundreds of us hiked together up to Squaw Peak to dedicate a bench to Milton H. Erickson, the "Father of Hypnotherapy," whose 100th birthday was being celebrated on December 5th. As dozens of us struggled up the rocky path that led to the summit, a fellow climber, noticing my turban, said, "I hope you didn't wear that on the airplane, what with all the anxiety about turbans these days!" This was a teachable moment. I turned to him and said, "I have been honored to wear this turban for over a quarter of a century, and people throughout history have fought and died to preserve their right to wear it. There is no way anybody is going to make me take it off now!" I truly feel that if we allow a few xenophobes to intimidate us into denouncing our faith, the "terrorists" have surely won. We are sons and daughters of Guru Gobind Singh, and our way of life is Rehit Maryada, with complete faith in Wahe Guru. When we keep calm fearlessnes in our own hearts, we also avoid engendering fear in others. Hail, hail Guru Ram Das and heal the world.
Avtar Kaur Khalsa
Millis, MA
United States
back to topNo Changes in our Life
No changes in our life.
Iqbal Singharora
Madhaya Pardesh
India
back to topMalaysian in Manhattan
"Our freedom is under attack." - words of the President George W. Bush echo many Americans. I myself, a Malaysian, living in Manhattan for the past 2 years under the shadow of the World Trade Center, feel the American anger against terrorism and their pride in their country.
That black Tuesday morning, fortunately, I left for work from my downtown Manhattan apartment at 7am. Living only 4 blocks away from the Towers, seeing it on my way to the subway, was a normal routine. People were going around getting their morning coffee and bagels, heads buried in their New York Times, on their ways to their offices, not knowing two hours later, everything will change...everything. I wonder sometimes, how many of them that I saw on my way to work are not alive anymore. Morbid feelings. My Battery Park neighborhood will never be the same. Nothing in me will ever be the same.
It had rained, ironically so heavy the night before here in Manhattan; I likened it to good old heavy fat Malaysian rain. The next morning was so clear and crisp, visibility was unlimited. So was the disaster from my office windows. I was in my office in White Plains, NY 20 miles north of the city when news came through and all hell broke loose. Phone lines were jammed and so were the Internet lines. I couldn't call home, knowing my families' image of my apartments vicinity to the doomed towers. Fortunately, emails were working. You saw the smoke, but not the towers. Pain, unbearable pain struck through everyone's heart.
The word "terrorists" was mentioned from someone, and it hasn't stopped since. These cowards had attacked America. They had attacked the free world.
The immediate response from many was how do they get home. Some wanted to help, but how? I knew I was in for a long night. I am consulting for a wireless firm, and knowing the wireless network importance during emergency periods, we had to be operational. The whole of downtown Manhattan was a complete chaos by this time. Images of planes striking the towers burned in people's minds.
By the time I got to the city at 2 am, through some very tight security, it was all over. The towers were gone, the Pentagon was struck, and the fourth target was spared by a group of brave Americans. The city was eerily empty. Broadway, 7th Avenue and the famous 5th Avenue, was empty, and stayed empty for the next 2 days. Manhattan was frozen in time, and as a police officer told me, "The city that never sleeps, slept."
For the next 2 days, I worked in lower Manhattan. Toiled long hours getting the cellular stations to run with the help of other engineers. Beside us, the National Guard stood in full camouflage and metal jackets with machine guns. Humvee's with 50 caliber guns mounted on the top patrolled the streets. Gunships flew above so close, you could see the pilots and its gattling type machine guns mounted below them, and F-16 flew above our heads. We were in a war zone. The hair at the back of my neck stood when I heard these jets. Its a sound you hear normally only on the 4th of July.
Fireman and other rescue workers emerged from the belly of the aftermath, covered in soot. Their moustaches and eyelids were all in dust. They looked aged when they came out. It was too sad to watch. An officer talked to me, asking me "Have you ever seen anything like this before??" I couldn't answer him back. His stare was blank, those dry blue eyes of his will haunt me for a long time to come. Shoes belonging to rescue workers lined Broadway, hundreds of them discarded for fireproof boots. Haunting images.
In the midst of good news whereby some people were rescued, I have to mention was a church on South Street. Open 24 hours, it gave good food, clean toilets and coffee to everyone that came to their doors. An oasis in the desert. New Yorkers came out in droves to help. People lined blood banks in the rain for a block and a half. Food, clothing, water and moral support in the form of loud cheers erupted as the workers emerged from what is called now "ground zero."
By Friday morning, I was totally exhausted. I took the time to get access into my now abandoned apartment to gather some things and my cat with the National Guards supervision. It was a very tense process. We were briefed to run like hell when alarms sounded 3 times. Sensors planted in surrounding buildings would sound the alarm when the building shifted. 1 Liberty Plaza, a magnificent building is leaning on its side. It was the fastest I will ever pack.
By now, the death toll had risen, the missing went into the 5 thousand mark, and yet the spirits of rescuers were high. City was on high alert when the President came to visit. A Sargent jokingly told me, they were told to shoot if a bird chirped. There were no birds.
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, a hard liner Republican who is despised by many New Yorkers, shined under pressure. His leadership at this hour is receiving praises by those who hated his guts.
The rubble, now 5 story high was all that was left of those magnificent towers. Unbelievable. It will be one year since the familiar Manhattan skyline changed forever. Suspects have been caught and named since then.
My only concern now, is, what can I do? I have been to temple and prayed, lit a candle, donated blood twice. Yet, it seems so insignificant. If only I can turn back time, if only I can end hatred among humankind, if only ... if only.
May GOD bless us all.
Kashmir Singh
New York City, NY
United States
back to topAmerican Flag Armband
8 days after 9/11 I had to fly from Boston to LA. I was encouraged to wear an American flag armband, along with my white turban and bana and I did. Quite a few people who passed me smiled and some even approached me and shook my hand with comments like "nice to meet another American," or "like your armband." I felt that it helped numerous people relax to some degree during my five days on the road, who had new concerns about turbaned men.
Jot Singh Khalsa
Millis, MA
United States
back to topKeep The Faith
After the September 11 accident, I have realized how lucky I was to be in India. We did not have a single incident here. I was astonished to know that in a country like the U.S.A, such acts of crime could take place due to ignorance about your great religion. My cousin's sister's husband was related to Balbir Singh Sodhi and we were grief stricken to hear about his murder too
My plea to the fellow youths of this great religion to keep your faith in "Waheguru" and keep all your 5 k's. It has been noticed that some of my brothers and sisters have cut their hair to save themselves from harassment. I would request them to explain their religion to their friends and colleagues. Otherwise we will surely "not now" but surely later loose our identity.
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!
Prabhjyot Singh Madan
Calcutta, West Bengal
India
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