Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh! 

As catastrophic fires swept through Los Angeles on January 7, 2025, UNITED SIKHS stepped forward to mitigate the crisis, touching over 100,000 lives amid the chaos.

Here’s a snapshot of our comprehensive efforts:

➡️ 75,000+ Hot Meals: Our volunteers prepared and distributed thousands of nourishing meals daily across affected areas.

➡️ Essential Supplies Delivered: Thousands received hygiene kits, blankets, baby essentials, and more, directly addressing immediate needs.

➡️ Mega Food Drive: On January 24, our significant event at the Pasadena Community Job Center saw 100 volunteers providing aid to 10,000 people, highlighting the scale and impact of our community’s unity.

➡️ Mental Health Support: Through the UMEED Helpline, we offered emotional support, helping those affected to cope and rebuild.

This massive response was not just a reaction to disaster—it was a movement of solidarity and resilience powered by faith and community. Your generous contributions and unwavering spirit of volunteerism turned potential despair into a story of hope and recovery.

Together, We Rebuild. Together, We Rise. 🙏

Continue supporting our mission: tinyurl.com/5scu6s4t 

💛 UNITED SIKHS Los Angeles Wildfire Relief – Impact at a Glance 💛

🔥 Hot Meals & Snacks: 40,000+ served
🛏️ Blankets: 900+ distributed
🧼 Hygiene Kits: 2,000+ provided
👶 Baby Essentials: 500+ children aided (diapers, wipes, formula & toys)
💧 Water & Chai Tea: Provided to thousands

💛 Total Individuals Served: 50,000+ 💛

Providing aid across multiple sites, including:

📍 East Pasadena Church
📍 Santa Anita Race Track
📍 Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA
📍 San Marino YMCA, South Pasadena
📍 Pasadena Community Job Center
📍 Flintridge Center
📍 Old Age Home / Nursing Home
📍 St. Phillip the Apostle Church
📍 National Guard Armory
📍 His Presence Fire Ministries, Glendale
📍 Indian Tandoor, Santa Monica – Special distribution drive in partnership with Saahas for Cause to assist families affected by the Pacific Palisades fires.

🙏 A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters

The Sikh community and partner organizations came together in seva at the Pasadena Community Job Center, offering their time and resources to support wildfire victims.

We Have Partnered with Covina Gurdwara Sahib and sangat from various gurdwara sahibs across California and beyond

Your solidarity and generosity have brought relief and hope to families who have lost so much.

📢 How You Can Help

🤝 Volunteer with us: Join the effort: unitedsikhs.org/join-us
💛 Support from afar: dvnetwork.org/la-wildfires

🙏 With gratitude to Waheguru Jee and our entire community for making this seva possible.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to the Sangat for your unwavering support during this critical time. Together, we’ve provided hot meals, fruits, hygiene kits, water, and other essential supplies to those in need.

The fires in and around Los Angeles have caused devastating destruction—40,000+ acres burned, 24 lives tragically lost, and over 150,000 people forced to leave their homes.

UNITED SIKHS volunteers are tirelessly working on the ground to bring relief to those affected. In the last few days, we have been able to help hundreds of impacted families at:

• Flintridge Center
• Pasadena City College
• Santa Anita Race Track evacuation and support centers
• Several local churches that reached out to UNITED SIKHS

These centers are often make-shift locations that are open for a limited time. As newer centers emerge in highly affected areas, UNITED SIKHS stays in touch with local law enforcement agencies, FEMA, VOAD, and other organizations to ensure timely help reaches where it’s needed the most.

Stay tuned for more updates!

The youth of Panjab stand at a crucial crossroads. The challenges they face are complex, reaching into their identity, aspirations, and well-being. Yet, we see immense potential in each young person—a potential that, with the right support, can flourish into something transformative, a change that uplifts lives across the entire community.

This year, UNITED SIKHS has taken several initiatives to support and empower Panjab’s youth. From education and career guidance to cultural connection and substance abuse prevention, we’re committed to creating opportunities that allow our youth to thrive and stay anchored in their roots.

Here’s how your support has helped us make a difference and how we can continue to uplift and empower our youth together:

Project Galwakdi Gurbani Kirtan:The next generation can only preserve the essence of Sikhi by staying connected with Gurbani, Kirtan, and embracing Sikh teachings in daily life. Through Project Galwakkdi, we hosted initiatives like Anhad Jhunkar, where over 300 children performed Kirtan together after months of Gurbani Kirtan training. With your support, we aim to elevate this learning experience by offering raag-based Kirtan programs for youth, ensuring a deeper, lifelong connection to Sikhi.

Project Kirti Self-Employment Program: We assist young individuals with financial support and required skills to become self-employed or begin the entrepreneurship journey directly.

Civil Services Preparation: With the number of Sikh IAS and IPS officers in Panjab declining due to fewer candidates taking these exams, we’re working to motivate youth to pursue civil service careers. To support this goal, we provide top-tier coaching facilities for selected meritorious yet financially disadvantaged students.

Education Support: With your support, we’re able to continue covering school and college fees for students facing financial barriers.

Career Counseling: Career counseling sessions have been vital for guiding youth on available career paths and helping them make informed choices. These sessions also provide parents with insights on how to support their children in reaching their full potential.

Sports Development:We proudly support youth icon Amritbir Singh in launching sports and fitness centers across villages in Gurdaspur. With your help, we can expand this initiative throughout Panjab, providing positive outlets for youth and steering them away from harmful distractions like substance abuse.

Sikhs for Business: The innovative business networking platform 'Sikhs for Business' is quickly becoming a springboard for youth, offering a supportive network, mentorship, and training to start and grow their businesses. As it evolves into a global network, it’s providing valuable opportunities for young entrepreneurs to thrive.

Rescue and Rehabilitation: Beyond spreading awareness and motivating youth to stay drug-free, our teams actively support individuals battling addiction. With your support, we aim to establish rehabilitation centers modeled after our successful program in Canada, bringing comprehensive recovery resources to those in need.

Financial Support: Athletes like Harpreet Singh, who required airfare from Panjab to Germany to compete in the World Weightlifting Championships, turn to us for support. Thanks to your ongoing generosity, we can help talented young people pursue their dreams and achieve excellence.

Your Support Matters

We invite you to be part of this journey of hope and transformation. Help create a better, brighter future for the youth of Panjab. Every contribution, no matter the size, matters.

UNITED SIKHS is pleased to announce the successful dismissal of all charges against Ruppenjot Singh, a 23-year-old Sikh cab driver who was wrongfully arrested at JFK Airport for carrying a Kirpan, a ceremonial article of the Sikh faith. This victory underscores the importance of religious freedom and the tireless efforts of UNITED SIKHS in advocating for the rights of the Sikh community.

Earlier in August 2024, Ruppenjot Singh was apprehended by New York Port Authority officers while waiting for passengers at Terminal 4. Despite explaining the religious significance of the Kirpan, Singh faced charges of menacing, harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon. The incident sparked resentment within the Sikh community and highlighted the need for greater cultural sensitivity and understanding.

The legal team of UNITED SIKHS, in collaboration with community advocates, took immediate action and provided comprehensive legal support to Singh. We also organized a “Rapid Response Call To Action” meeting at the Sikh Center Gurdwara in South Richmond Hill to mobilize community support and raise awareness about the case.

Japneet Singh, a prominent Sikh community advocate, played a crucial role in coordinating legal efforts and advocating for the dismissal of the charges. “This case was a clear example of religious discrimination,” said Japneet Singh. “We are grateful for the support of the community and the legal team at UNITED SIKHS for their relentless efforts in ensuring justice for Ruppenjot Singh.”

The dismissal of the charges is a significant milestone in the fight against religious discrimination. It reaffirms the legal precedent established in the 1987 case of People vs. Singh, which recognized the right of Sikhs to carry a kirpan as a religious article. This victory not only brings relief to Ruppenjot Singh and his family but also strengthens the resolve of UNITED SIKHS to continue advocating for the rights of the Sikh community.

UNITED SIKHS calls on law enforcement agencies to implement mandatory cultural sensitivity training to prevent such incidents in the future. We are also thankful to Harpreet Mokha and Matthew T Lattimer of the US Department of Justice for their efforts to expedite the resolution of the case. We remain committed to standing against discrimination and ensuring that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected.

TO REQUEST LEGAL SUPPORT OR SPEAK TO A LEGAL ADVISOR - REACH OUT TO US
 Call : +1-855-US-UMEED / +1 (855) 878-6333
Email: [email protected]  / [email protected]

Sincerely,
UNITED SIKHS International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) Team
 

UNITED SIKHS presents the second Sikhs for Business event, a unique initiative to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs through networking, learning, and community support.

The changing business and trade landscape in Panjab has made survival increasingly challenging for small-scale enterprises. With inflation, import influx, regulatory and policy issues, and inward migration from other states, many businesses are facing mounting difficulties. These factors have contributed to increased operational costs, heightened competition from cheaper imported goods, and pressure on local resources, making business survival harder in Panjab.

While the farmers protest for protection in this shifting environment, small businesses and traders are also struggling to thrive. Recognizing the broader challenges faced by the community, UNITED SIKHS has been actively involved in providing comprehensive support. We have extended legal assistance to injured farmers and launched Project Kirti to promote self-employment by providing e-rickshaws, sewing machines, welding sets, and financial aid to men and women in Panjab. These efforts aim to empower individuals and create sustainable livelihoods amidst the evolving economic landscape.

Recognizing the need for further support, we have launched the ‘Sikhs for Business’ initiative to boost networking, learning, support, and mutual growth within the community. 

By supporting small businesses and fostering entrepreneurship, there is hope to strengthen the local business community, ultimately contributing to the region’s GDP growth. Stronger and healthier businesses not only boost economic activity but also build resilience within the community, paving the way for a more prosperous and stable future for Panjab.

Our second Sikhs for Business event at Gurdwara Singh Sabha saw double the registrations after the success of the first event. Members introduced their businesses, participated in round-table discussions, and addressed challenges collectively. 

“Financial growth of the community is essential for its development. This initiative helps members support each other and grow together,” said UNITED SIKHS Panjab Director Amritpal Singh.

Upkar Singh Ahuja, President of the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), praised the event as a fantastic opportunity for youth to embrace entrepreneurship. 

Participants were enthusiastic about the support. “It is great to see an organization addressing the problems Sikhs face and taking steps to support the community,” said entrepreneur Gaganjot Singh.

Baljit Kaur, one the organizers of this event, emphasized, “Business networking is key for mutual growth, learning, and better earnings. With community support, this can become a powerful platform to help medium and small enterprises navigate the challenging economic climate.”

UNITED SIKHS is an international UN-affiliated organization with 11 chapters worldwide, dedicated to humanitarian relief, human development, and advocacy. 

Our Sikhs for Business initiative is one of our key projects directly aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By promoting inclusive economic growth, fostering innovation, building resilient infrastructure, and reducing inequalities within and among communities, we strive to create a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

Thank you for your continued support.

Over 90 Medals, Yet Working in Paddy Fields – Veerpal Kaur Needs Your Support

As the world celebrates athletes at the Olympics, a young girl's heart in Faridkot aches, watching them complete. Veerpal Kaur, with over 90 medals and prizes in track and field at district and state levels, dreamed of competing on a big stage. Financial constraints, however, forced her to work as a day-laborer in paddy fields just to pay her college fees.

Despite these challenges, Veerpal is pursuing a degree in physical education from Patiala and has also learned fashion design to become self-dependent. But her true passion lies in sports, and she still dreams of advancing further with proper mentorship and financial support.

"I still have time to play the game, if I get the support. Sports is my passion and life," says Veerpal.

UNITED SIKHS has provided initial support, but we now need your help to continue supporting aspiring athletes like Veerpal in achieving her dreams. Your contribution can make a significant difference in her journey.

Please donate to help Veerpal Kaur and other athletes from Panjab keep thriving and competing.

Thank you for your support.

With your support, we recently organized ‘Anhad Jhunkar,’ a special program where 300 young voices sang divine Gurbani shabads (hymns) in perfect harmony. The children sang 12 shabads on instruments like harmonium and tabla. 

The children prepared for this samagam (event) at 12 different places for over two months to perform together at the event. 

This event was the next step after ‘Ghar Ghar Nitnem Kanth Lehar’ campaign under Galwakkdi (a term from Punjabi that roughly translates to “embrace” or “hug” in English) project which saw children learn and understand the meaning of the Nitnem Banis, a collection of Sikh prayers that are recited daily. The Galwakkdi project helps children connect with their roots by teaching them Gurbani kirtan, Gatka and Sikh history and values.

"The children are learning to play instruments like the harmonium and tabla from our dedicated teachers. Seeing so many children engaged in learning Gurbani kirtan is heartening. This momentous divine celebration has been possible with the blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (the central religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign, and eternal living Guru) and dedicated efforts of Gurbani teachers and volunteers who have been working with these children at different centers. Our next goal is to teach them raag-based Gurbani kirtan, the devotional singing of Sikh hymns (Gurbani) set to classical Indian musical scales known as ‘raags’. We believe that connecting the next generation with the treasures of Gurbani is essential for a brighter future,” said UNITED SIKHS Panjab Director Amritpal Singh. 

As a UN-affiliated global nonprofit organization with chapters across North America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, UNITED SIKHS embraces the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those emphasizing peace, justice, and strong institutions, good health and well-being, quality education, and reduced inequalities. Each project we undertake, including our work with children learning Gurbani kirtan and other efforts around community empowerment, aligns with these goals, aiming to create a more equitable, safe, and healthy world for all.

I’m Nihaal Singh, and I’m writing to you from Kharkiv, where the Russian army is just 15 kilometers away. The bombing is relentless, but with God’s grace, our focus remains on serving those in need. For over two years, we have been dedicated to this sewa, extending our efforts from Kharkiv to Shehyni, on the Ukraine-Poland border in western Ukraine.

Destroyed buildings at the site of Russian missile strike. Credit: Le Monde/Reuters

As the Ukraine-Russia war rages on, the city of Kharkiv faces unimaginable devastation. Recent Russian missile strikes have turned homes into burnt debris, leaving survivors with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The explosions from the new offensive shake the ground, pushing Kharkiv to the brink of annihilation.

According to the International Organization for Migration, 14 million people have been displaced, including 6.5 million new refugees and 3.7 million internally displaced individuals. Amidst this widespread destruction, UNITED SIKHS volunteers remain steadfast, providing critical aid to those in desperate need.

Our hot meal initiative has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands in the Shehnyi and Kharkiv regions. Volunteers tirelessly distribute essential aid, including hygiene kits, groceries, medicines, and warm clothing.

In early 2022, we launched Project Braveheart, which trains civilians in military-grade first aid and emergency medical procedures. Over the past year, more than 50,000 civilians have been trained, gaining crucial skills such as treating fractures, performing blood transfusions, and evacuating the injured. This effort highlights our dedication to both immediate relief and long-term resilience and empowerment.

26 months on, the brutal war continues, making it increasingly challenging to bring aid to those in need in the midst of crumbling infrastructure and resources. However, with international aid dwindling, it is now up to empathetic individuals like you to sustain our mission. 

Please consider continuing your support for our relief mission.

In chardi kala,

Nihaal Singh
UNITED SIKHS Volunteer,
Kharkiv, Ukraine

In an important update on UNITED SIKHS’ legal aid efforts supporting impacted farmers, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recorded statements from two witnesses on May 6 at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh. This development brings us a step closer to justice for farmers who suffered heavy-handed force by the Haryana police and paramilitary forces during their peaceful demonstrations for livelihood rights at the Khanauri border in February.

(From Left) Attorney Gurmohan Preet Singh, BKU Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, UNITED SIKHS Punjab Director Amritpal Singh, drug scientist Dr BS Aulakh during the press conference at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh.

This legal action follows the brutal attack at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders in February, which resulted in the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh and injuries to hundreds more. Prompted by these events, our legal team, led by Advocate Gurmohan Preet Singh, pushed for a judicial inquiry, resulting in the formation of the SIT.

During a press conference, Gurmohan Preet Singh expressed optimism about the direction of the proceedings. He announced that additional statements would be recorded on May 20, with further evidence gathering to continue as necessary. Davinder Singh, Pushpinder Singh, and Varinder Singh, all impacted by the use of pellet guns and other weapons, were also in attendance.

Bharti Kisan Union Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal expressed his gratitude to UNITED SIKHS for their humanitarian and legal support. He highlighted the tragic consequences of the attacks, which led to the death of 21-year-old Shubhkaran Singh and injuries to over 430 farmers. He emphasized that the losses experienced by the farming community extend beyond their own lives, affecting us all. 

A farmer being provided medical aid at the UNITED SIKHS medical camp at Shambhu border

Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed during the police and paramilitary firing on farmers in February.

As the farmers' protests continue at the borders, a vast number of them being in vulnerable age groups, they are in constant need for humanitarian aid. Our medical camps and ambulance services have been providing the much-needed aid to those suffering. 

Your constant support is crucial in this endeavor. 

In solidarity with the farmers of Panjab,

Amritpal Singh, Director UNITED SIKHS,
Panjab

This year, from Asia to Europe, your generosity has fueled 5 transformative projects, spreading compassion and justice in true Vaisakhi spirit.

Supporting Panjab's Farmers

During the ongoing agricultural crisis in Panjab (India), our volunteers have been at the forefront in providing essential medical relief at the Shambhu border. This commitment extends beyond humanitarian aid, as farmers confront harsh realities while advocating for fair wages amid disputes over inadequate crop pricing and policies that appear to favor large-scale agribusiness over traditional smallholder farming. Recent violent confrontations, including the use of force by Haryana police, have necessitated a strong legal response.

Our legal team is actively pursuing a judicial inquiry into these incidents, representing affected farmers like Amritpal Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Pushpinder Singh and others who suffered severe injuries during peaceful protests at the Khanauri border. Through legal advocacy and on-ground support, we aim to safeguard the farmers' rights and ensure their voices are heard.

Amritpal Singh, 23, who sustained multiple leg fractures from a teargas shell explosion.

Jaskaran Singh, 18, whose forearm was pierced by a projectile from a self loading rifle fired by the police force at Khanauri border.

Pushpinder Singh, 40, whose eyeball fell out of his eye, after being fired upon by the police, causing irreparable loss of the eye.

Enhancing Community Security

In response to the alarming rise in hate crimes against Sikhs in New York City, our security measures have become more proactive. Recently, UNITED SIKHS delegates met with NYC City Assembly Speaker Adrianne Adams to address these pressing public safety concerns. This follows our successful Town Hall in November 2023, where we brought together the Queens Borough President, the Police Chief, and representatives from the Queens District Attorney's Office. These strategic discussions aim to strengthen the community's safety and ensure robust protective measures against hate crimes.

Strengthening Protection Against Transnational Threats

UNITED SIKHS has taken significant steps to address concerns about transnational repression affecting Sikh activists and leaders in the US and Canada. Our discussions with the FBI, DHS and State Department leadership in New York and Washington D.C. focused on threats due to differing political views and activism. 
 
Additionally, we launched the Transnational Repression Crime Working Group in December 2023. Comprising various Sikh organizations, this group advocates for the Transnational Repression Policy Act in Congress, aiming to safeguard our community from overseas threats. 

We further advocated with high-level leadership within federal law enforcement agencies to proactively address the systemic consequences of transnational repression on the freedom of interstate and international travel for prominent Sikh leaders and ordinary individuals. Currently, we are working on individual cases of victims affected by various forms of transnational repression, including false information and terrorism hoaxes.

Global Outreach and Cultural Awareness

Our chapters worldwide, including in Australia, are actively engaging with government officials and the broader community through humanitarian and outreach efforts. Key initiatives like Turban Day help us raise awareness about Sikhi and the significance of Sikh identity, fostering understanding and respect across diverse populations.

Project Kirti: Empowering Economic Independence

In Panjab, Project Kirti is dedicated to fostering self-reliance through support for self-employment and comprehensive career counseling. We guide individuals in choosing the right career paths and assist parents in nurturing their children's development, ultimately strengthening the community's economic foundation.
Your support is our strength. This Vaisakhi, let's reaffirm our resolve to serve and protect. Together, we can ensure that this important day doesn’t just pass by but marks a step forward for humanity.

In Chardi Kala, forever in high spirits,

Gurvinder Singh,
UNITED SIKHS

My name is Baljeet Singh, a volunteer with UNITED SIKHS from Ropar, Panjab. I've dedicated the last few years to serve humanity through our organization, and recently, I've been stationed at our farmers’ relief camp at the Shambhu border. This location has become a focal point for farmers camped in protest, demanding fair Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and the fulfillment of commitments made by the Government of India in 2021. I'm reaching out to share a harrowing experience that unfolded right before my eyes.

On a day that started like any other at Shambhu barrier, at just minutes before 11 am, the air was suddenly pierced by the firing of a tear gas canister, unprovoked, from the side where police were deployed. What followed was a barrage of rubber bullets and tear gas, plunging the area into chaos. The farmers, many elderly and barely able to walk, were caught off-guard, resulting in numerous injuries amidst a cloud of heavy smoke. It was a scene reminiscent of a battlefield, with our own forces firing relentlessly at unarmed, peacefully protesting farmers.

A farmer shows a tear gas shell fired on the farmers. 

The sight was heart-wrenching. It was a blatant disregard for human rights, democracy, and the principles we hold dear. The elderly, some akin to my parents in age, were subjected to indiscriminate firing, their age and frailty ignored. The question of "How could they?" echoed in my mind as I witnessed the unfolding brutality.

Compelled by a deep sense of duty amid the chaos, I sprung into action. Armed with eye drops and ointments, I navigated through the smoke and confusion to provide immediate relief to those afflicted by the tear gas. Amidst my efforts, a tear gas shell exploded nearby, enveloping me in smoke and causing intense pain, despite my protective eyewear.

The tragedy was compounded by the news of Shubhkaran Singh, a young farmer's death at the Khanauri border, another casualty of the force used against the protesting farmers.

Despite the challenges, our team persists in providing aid at the Shambhu barrier. We've offered immediate relief to hundreds of farmers, administering medicines and utilizing our ambulances for critical care.

As the farmers' protest seeks resolution, UNITED SIKHS' commitment goes beyond just medical aid; our legal team is providing legal aid and advocacy for farmers facing undue force for simply exercising their constitutional rights to expression and peaceful assembly. 

The dire situation, marked by severe retaliation against peaceful protests, begs for the urgent need for our support in upholding their rights. We advocate not only for the peaceful resolution of their demands but also for the respect and protection of their rights.

Join us in offering humanitarian aid, medical relief, and advocacy for justice and the rights of those fighting for their livelihoods.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Baljeet Singh
UNITED SIKHS Volunteer

I am Dr. Gabisa, serving as the Director of International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) at UNITED SIKHS. Joining this esteemed organization has been a pivotal decision in my career, enabling me to leverage my legal expertise, experience, and passion in the broader fight for human rights and equality. It is a profound honor to advocate for and defend causes that are crucial for the betterment and dignity of the Sikhs and other minority communities, recognizing the sacrifices many have made in the pursuit of justice and equality.

As 2023 draws to a close, we look back on the work done under our International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) pillar with both a feeling of accomplishment and a sense of hope that much, indeed, needs to be done toward the cause of Sikh rights and those of other ethnic, racial, and religious minorities.

Sikh & minority rights matter!

Here, we'd like to shed light on some of the most pertinent achievements made possible almost entirely by virtue of YOUR commitment toward human & civil rights.

When we Fought & Won against the NYPD
Giani Harmel Singh, granthi and head preacher at New York’s Gurudwara Bhagati Ghar was framed-up in an incident which involved a violent unprovoked attack on him by a trespasser at the Gurudwara. Inexplicably, not only did the NYPD fail to arrest the culprit, they went on to detain the senior preacher, harassing, starving, and shackling him.
What did we do?

The UNITED SIKHS’ legal team took up the case of Giani Harmel Singh, bringing all facts to the fore. In September, the Queens Criminal Court, New York, dismissed all charges filed by the NYPD against him.  Additionally, we have filed a Notice of Claim (a prerequisite to instituting a lawsuit) against the NYPD for its ill-treatment of the respected preacher.

Another Victory for Sikh Rights!
Young Sikh Deputy Sheriff Jasbir Singh* (name changed) successfully underwent training at the Police Academy in California. However, he was subsequently terminated on account of the grooming policy which disallowed the wearing of his beard and turban. Jasbir Singh reached out to us for help.
What did we do?

We promptly launched policy reform advocacy at the Sheriff's Department, California. Soon afterwards, the authorities decided to change the grooming policy and even invited the UNITED SIKHS ICHRA team to provide relevant inputs to help update the existing policy (the kirpan has also been accommodated!)

Proactively Curbing Hate Crimes

Hate crimes against Sikhs – often a case of mistaken identity – have seen a sharp rise in the backdrop of the Middle-East Conflict

In New York City, a driver was indicted with hate crime charge in the death of 66 year-old Jasmer Singh whom he pummeled in the head and called a "turban man". The hate crime charge came after a series of advocacy works by the ICHRA team. Earlier in the month of October, a Sikh teenager wearing a turban and face mask was assaulted on an NYC bus. The attacker allegedly kept punching the boy, tried to forcibly remove his turban, and screamed "We don’t wear that in this country!"

66 year-old Jasmer Singh and his wife, Jaswinder Kaur had planned to visit their hometown, Hoshiarpur, Panjab, just days later.

What are we doing?

We met NYC Mayor Eric Adams to discuss security measures for safeguarding Sikhs.
We are also making sure every hate crime incident is investigated as a hate crime. In the Jasmer Singh case, we advocated with the Queens District Attorney Office & NYPD Office, presenting the necessary facts as well as the relevant cultural and religious context to help officials attribute the killer’s mens rea (motive) to hate. The NYPD did not initially investigate the case as a hate crime but afterwards charged the NYC driver with 20 counts taking “new information” into account.

Why Reporting Every Hate Crime as a Hate Crime Counts

A hate crime – any criminal incident motivated by racial, religious, or ethnic bias – is a federal offense. Every such crime gets recorded in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Hate Crimes Statistics. This could potentially attract the attention of legislators in the U.S. Congress, ensuring greater stringency of hate crime laws. Additionally, the penalty for hate crimes in the U.S. justice system is typically more severe and enhanced, thereby deterring such acts in the future.

In addition, we have ramped up our Community Empowerment & Education (CEED) efforts across the U.S., providing self-defense training and access to legal resources – via our confidential 24*7 Umeed helpline – to help community members deal more effectively with potential attacks motivated by bias and hate.

You are Not Alone!

If you or someone you know feels threatened, or has faced any form of attack, please call 911 immediately. You may also reach out to us through our helpline number: 1 855-878-6333. Your rights, safety, and dignity are of utmost importance and must be protected at all costs!

Shaping a New Generation of Lawyers, Activists, & Policy-Makers

While working to uphold civil & human rights at the moment is essential, it is just as important to help mobilize young people to stand up for these rights tomorrow. Our Annual Humanitarian Aid and Advocacy Academy (AHAA) and Sikh Summit is aimed exactly at that.

This annually-held training program imparts the right skills, resources, and knowledge to participants for pursuing careers in policy, law, civil rights advocacy, healthcare, social justice, and international humanitarian aid work in disaster and conflict zones.

Involving lectures, interactive workshops, and networking events, the event is designed to forge partnerships and foster a meaningful exchange of ideas.

Held from 10-14 July this year, the attendees gained valuable insights into subjects such as hate crimes, free speech, interfaith and inter-communal alliances, workplace harassment, transnational aggression against minorities, and Sikh religious liberty & articles of faith.

AHAA 2023 saw experts such as Congresswoman Judy May Chu, United States Attorney Ms. Dena J. King; U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain, and Director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Mindy E. Weinstein speak at length on various issues.

Standing Up Against Transnational Repression

UNITED SIKHS is profoundly disturbed by the growing instances of transnational repression and the threats posed to citizens in the United States and Canada. Recognizing the urgency of this situation, we have engaged in meaningful dialogues with law enforcement agencies and community members. In a collaborative effort with other Sikh NGOs, we have presented a detailed paper to these authorities. Our initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to uphold the safety and rights of those impacted by these cross-border threats, and highlights the pivotal role of non-governmental organizations in fostering global peace and security.

We also saw an unexpected issue arise on Meta platforms: the word "Sikh" was inexplicably banned. This incident sparked concern and confusion within the community. In response, UNITED SIKHS promptly reached out to Meta for clarification. After discussions, Meta acknowledged that the ban was the result of an error in their automated moderation systems, not a deliberate act of censorship. UNITED SIKHS remains committed to vigilantly protect the rights and representation of Sikhs and other ethnic minorities across digital platforms, ensuring such errors do not compromise the community's voice and history.

The UNITED SIKHS leadership at a meeting to discuss the surge in hate crimes against Sikhs with Gregory Meeks, Congressional Representative from New York's 5th congressional district.

A Mother’s Victory
Preet Kaur* (name changed*), a Sikh mother, had planned to travel to the United States to donate a kidney to her son, a medical student who was forced to discontinue his  studies on account of renal failure. However, her visa was inexplicably revoked.

The iniquitous decision could not have come at a worse time - her son’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, even as his fate hung in the balance.

Our ICHRA team took swift action to advocate her case, opening a channel of communication with the U.S. State Department, including a face-to-face meeting with the Department of Homeland Security. Talks resolved the issue and the mother was subsequently granted a visa to travel to the U.S. to donate her kidney and save her son’s life.

 “I am extremely grateful to the whole UNITED SIKHS Team. With my mom getting a visa, I can undergo the kidney transplant and begin studying again and live a normal life” - Preet Kaur’s son.

Opening Doors, Creating Avenues
35-year-old Simranjeet* (name changed*) from India faced abandonment and an uncertain future when her husband decided he wanted a divorce. With no work and no valid visa status, she got in touch with the UNITED SIKHS’ Umeed helpline in desperation and distress. The Umeed manager evaluated the case and subsequently put her in touch with the ICHRA team. Our team collaborated with relevant firms that worked on her case pro bono, helping her gain the proper visa that allowed her to stay on in the United States.

Simranjeet found all doors closed – except one.

Simranjeet was afterwards able to enroll at a college for earning future work rights and building a stable future in the U.S.  Her divorce is currently in the final chapter of finalization.

Where do Sikhs Stand?
Under ICHRA directives, a team of 10 researchers is conducting research on the global state of Sikh civil rights across the world. Focused on 15 different countries, mainly the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Punjab, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mexico, Kenya and Ukraine, the report seeks to unearth the challenges Sikhs around the world are currently facing. Relying on both qualitative and quantitative research methodology, the report will be launched toward the end of 2023. 

Mayor Eric Adams of New York City at a video conference with the UNITED SIKHS' leadership.

The report, intended to be utilized for further advocacy purposes, will be shared with the United Nations, foreign dignitaries, and respective governments with the aim of influencing international and domestic policy-making toward Sikhs in the homeland and in the diaspora.

This unprecedented, one-of-a-kind report will provide a bird's-eye view of where Sikhs stand in terms of their human and civil rights in the world today.

You are Not Alone!

If you or someone you know feels threatened, or has faced any form of attack, please call 911 right away. You may also reach out to us through our helpline number: 1 855-878-6333. Your rights, safety, and dignity are of utmost importance and must be protected at all costs!

The UNITED SIKHS’ safety guidelines and self-defense tips poster.

In a world defined by growing intolerance, ICHRA is playing an unparalleled role in defending, protecting, and upholding minority civil and human rights. We are deeply indebted to you for extending your support to every cause – big or small – concerning Sikhs and other minorities.

Again, I wish to remind you, it is YOU that is driving positive change and helping spark these developments that signify progress.

Make no mistake – it is your support that enables us to empower the powerless!

Let’s fight – and win – many more battles together in 2024!

Dr. Henok Gabisa
Director, International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA)
UNITED SIKHS
Recognize the Human Race as One

Make a tax-deductible donation today!

As the year draws to a close, we’d like to thank you for being an invaluable supporter. But of all the special things you’ve helped us achieve, there is one that particularly stands out – your precious contribution to Project Kirti.

Launched in January 2023, the program is designed to promote self-reliance by giving economically disadvantaged individuals access to income-generating resources.

Bitter Past, Better Future

Every time you lent your support to the Project, someone was able to embrace the Sikh way of life via kirat – earning a livelihood by the sweat of one’s brow.  

Recently in November 2023, the UNITED SIKHS team in Panjab found out about 34-year-old Resham Kaur* (name changed), a mother of two, whose husband had died several months earlier from complications arising out of drug abuse. Unfortunately, he had mortgaged off the only piece of land they owned, a 2-acre farm, forcing Resham to take out a loan from a local moneylender for funding medical procedures related to an ulcer in her stomach. Thanks to you, we paid off the loan to secure the release of her land, saving Resham and her children from a life of destitution.

Likewise, 46-year-old Gurmeet Singh* (name changed), a landless laborer and father of three, lost his right hand to a factory accident two years ago, plunging the family into desperate poverty. While his wife works at a school, earning a meager salary of INR 3000 (US$36) a month, it is still difficult to make ends meet. When UNITED SIKHS learnt of the family’s penurious condition, we immediately decided to sponsor the education of his daughter, presently in the 12th grade, as well as provide Gurmeet with a tricycle cart to sell vegetables at the village square.

The Girls that will Shine Bright

Hailing from families that simply lack the wherewithal to pay for their children’s education, several daughters have benefitted from Project Kirti. You are helping them earn a decent livelihood not only by equipping them with income-generating assets such as sewing machines, but also access to education.

Be it young female civil service aspirants or deserving girl students desirous of arming themselves with technical job-ready skills, Project Kirti has been helping them gain immediate, meaningful employment by funding vocational Diplomas, Google Certification Courses, and coaching for competitive exams.

You Paved their Path to a Better Life

Not one, but countless persons have been able to find a way toward a better life, all thanks to the support you have shown to Project Kirti.

Anti-Sikh riot victim 55-year old Jaskirat Singh* (name changed) from Jammu received an e-rickshaw, enabling him to earn a livelihood to support his family and get by in his sunset years.

With her course fees paid for, 23-year-old Arshdeep Kaur* (name changed), daughter of a daily-wage laborer, is currently fulfilling her dream of becoming a professional cosmetologist.

A mother of two school-going children, 37-year-old Kawalpreet Kaur* (name changed) and her disabled husband had been struggling to pay for basic living expenses when they found hope, receiving two sewing machines for earning a decent income for the family.

We are Not the Only Ones Who Say It is Special!

When you choose to make a gift toward the cause Project Kirti is espousing, you are doing more than promoting the essence of being a Sikhi in everyday life. Project Kirti is helping achieve a key sustainable development goal of the UN – to promote economic growth and full, productive, and decent employment for all.

You have done so much, but we know you aren’t done yet! You will help fulfill many more dreams and show countless others the path toward embracing a life of dignity and honor.
Make a tax-deductible donation today!

As you are well aware, the Panjab floods wreaked tremendous devastation in every sphere of life – dozens of people died, thousands were displaced, infrastructure suffered damage, farmlands got submerged, livestock was lost, and homes were destroyed. For thousands in Panjab, life just isn’t going to be the same again.

Early on, it became apparent that recovery was going to be an excruciating, long drawn-out affair, calling for a concrete plan of action and the long-term support of benefactors like you. 

Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS devised a 3-phase plan aimed at getting lives back on track: 

I. Immediate Relief including rescue operations and distribution of emergency relief supplies

II. Gradual Rebuilding including helping families rebuild homes and purchase livestock; continued operation of free medical camps

III. Long-Term Rehabilitation including giving affected farmers seeds & fertilizers and helping individuals adopt alternative means of livelihood.

5 Months Later… Here’s the Latest Update!

Every gift made by you is invaluable. We make sure to put it to the best use possible! Most recently, our flood relief efforts under Phase III have included the following:

Giving Seeds of Hope

We ushered in the all-important Rabi crop season with distributing wheat seeds to farmers. Nearly 1000 sacks of seeds – containing 40 kilos of seeds in each – were given to Panjab farmers.

Completing the Gurudwara Dream

A village in the district of Firozpur did not have its own Gurudwara. This incommoded the residents, necessitating, as it did, frequent visits to the Gurudwara in the adjoining village. Finally deciding to act, the villagers began the construction of a Gurudwara, only for the floods to play havoc.

While the foundation of the Gurudwara sahib had been laid, the UNITED SIKHS team facilitated its speedy completion, purchasing and arranging the requisite materials including cement, sand, and iron rods. The Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was subsequently inaugurated on Guru Nanak Sahib Ji’s Gurpurab.

Resolving Water-Related Problems

Several months since farmlands became inundated, standing water and silt in fields remains a real, widespread challenge.  We identified about a dozen farmers, whose farmlands are still submerged in water, giving them a steady supply of diesel for operating tractors to extract sand accumulated in their fields.

The UNITED SIKHS team is currently surveying the ubiquitous problem of lack of access to potable drinking water. The process to identify needy families that require water pumps and motors for extracting clean drinking water is underway.

Disseminating Knowledge about Alternative Incomes

In adherence to Phase III of our flood relief and rehabilitation plan, we are, in association with the Panjab Agricultural University, preparing to organize seminars across villages. These soon-to-be-held knowledge programs will spread awareness and information with regard to generating alternative and additional means of income such as through apiculture, production of jaggery candies, and mixed grain products.  

…And Not Just That!

For us at UNITED SIKHS, lending a hand to someone doesn’t stop at distributing aid and walking away. It is a continual, positive, ongoing engagement at the grassroots level that sees our volunteers painstakingly identify potential beneficiaries, stay in constant touch with existing beneficiaries, and maintain a steady line of communication with village heads and influential persons within village communities.

We forge a relationship with every beneficiary, making sure we are accessible to them whenever they should feel the need to reach out; only ever a phone call away!

Flood-stricken Panjab & 2024

While we hope and pray that 2024 turns out to be a year of healing for Panjab, the importance of your long-term support and commitment cannot be overstated in this regard.

Come, participate in the collective effort to rebuild Panjab – your continued, stable support is critical for fortifying the impact of and sustaining the pace of our actions.

Sign up for a recurring monthly donation now! Panjab needs your hand!

Make a tax-deductible donation today!

This is the story of Rajpreet Kaur, a 21-year-old fresh college graduate from Bhatinda, Punjab, India. Rajpreet has always dreamt of passing the Civil Services Examination, one of the world's toughest tests for joining India's elite government services. Success in this exam can change lives, but it requires extensive preparation, including costly books, a laptop, and rigorous private coaching and self-study.

However, Rajpreet's family, with her father working as a small-scale farmer and her mother as a homemaker, cannot afford these expenses. Without help, Rajpreet might have to give up her dream, a reality too common for many women in Panjab.

But there is hope – with your support.

Boosting Futures with Project Kirti

We at UNITED SIKHS believe in empowering individuals like Rajpreet. Through our initiative, Project Kirti, we provide resources to those in need, promoting self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of generational poverty, especially in communities where gender norms often limit opportunities for women.

By supporting Rajpreet, you're not just helping one individual; you're setting a precedent for many more girls who dare to dream big. Your contribution can provide the necessary tools for Rajpreet's success, enabling her to uplift not just herself but her entire community.

Launched in January 2023, Project Kirti is aimed at breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

Apart from young female civil service aspirants like Rajpreet, several other deserving girl students from indigent families have reached out to UNITED SIKHS for assistance to sponsor various vocational courses. From Google Certification Courses such as Data Analytics and UX Design to Diplomas in animation designing and accounting & taxation, these are courses that will help them obtain the technical know-how and skills they need to gain immediate, meaningful employment.

Money Well Spent

These young women have but a simple dream – to become self-reliant and earn a livelihood that’s adequate, decent, and respectable. But even this simple dream seems scarcely attainable. Most of them come from families that can barely make ends meet, let alone pay for a daughter’s education and related expenses.

Consequently, your precious contribution will be used to pay for the following:

UPSC & other competitive examination coaching fees
Vocational Course fees
Laptop
Wi-Fi expenses
Books & stationery

The cost of one girl’s scholarship is about INR 1.5 lakhs (approximately USD $1815) which will include the aforementioned expenses.

They are Leaning on You!

It is worth remembering that Project Kirti is in line with one of the key United Nations sustainable development goals – to promote sustainable economic growth and full, productive, and decent employment for all.

Every single penny you contribute will be well-spent! 

Your contribution is sure to make an enormous difference to the lives of these bright young women, helping them blaze a trail and, in turn, show the way to thousands of young girls.

Help give wings to their dreams!
Donate Now

Already burdened with a debt of 8 lakh rupees, 65-year-old Sucha Singh from Muthiwala village in Ferozepur had been eagerly anticipating income from his paddy crop to pay off a portion of it and finance his daughter's wedding. However, the devastating 2023 Panjab floods ruined his crops, damaged his home, and plunged him further into debt.

During four months of hardship, he was even forced to sell his cattle to cultivate his land. "I have nothing left to buy seeds for the next season," he said, his eyes brimming with tears.

In a recent Bloomberg article examining the strained food system in India, a critical observation was highlighted: "The agricultural system that feeds India’s 1.4 billion people still relies on tens of millions of ill-equipped smallholders." This not only underscores the critical role of small farmers but also illuminates the harsh reality of the debt traps they inevitably fall into, as they grapple with sustaining the nation under increasingly difficult economic and environmental conditions.

For more than 1100 small farmers like Sucha Singh, UNITED SIKHS has been actively providing aid on the ground, including distributing seeds for the upcoming sowing season. This seed distribution initiative is a key component of their comprehensive three-phase relief program for Punjab's flood victims, aimed at helping them regain stability and dignity in their lives.

In the third phase, the focus is on restoring livelihoods. The initial two phases encompassed rescue and immediate aid, medical assistance and camps, clearing water and sand from fields, supplying cattle fodder, and other critical support.

With your assistance, we recently conducted seed distributions in villages such as Hamed Chakk, Bagge Wala, Sultan Wala, Muthian Wala, Nizam Wala, Basti Chamdean Wala, Dhakka Basti, and others. More than 1100 small-scale farmers received seeds for the upcoming Kharif season, helping to revive an estimated 1000 acres of farmland.

The Seeds of Hope initiative has the potential to produce 2.2 million kilograms of wheat flour, sufficient to prepare approximately 30 million meals.

 

"These are some of the most challenging times Punjab has faced in recent decades," says Balkar Singh, who collaborated with our teams in identifying, verifying, and shortlisting the most needy farmers. Meanwhile, our teams from Ludhiana, Rupnagar, and Amritsar have been actively engaged in distributing seeds among these farmers.

Sukhwinder Singh, Director of UNITED SIKHS Canada, who came specifically to support the seed distribution, stated, “UNITED SIKHS has stood in solidarity with those affected by the Panjab floods, offering all possible assistance during these difficult times. Our three-phase relief plan was meticulously designed and implemented to help people, including farmers, navigate this crisis. We are committed to ensuring that the people of Panjab, especially farmers, are not overlooked by the world as they grapple with the severe aftermath of the floods.”

Your kindness can be the essential aid in restoring their livelihoods. This GivingTuesday, donate to help farmers overcome this crisis and rebuild their livelihoods.

Guru Nanak Sahib’s Prakash Purab: A Time for Reflection and Action
 
This Gurpurab, join us at our exhibition on the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Sahib’s Udasiyaan (travels) and Hukums (commands) across Gurdwaras in Surrey, Canada. Embrace His timeless teachings for a fulfilling life:

1. Naam Japo: Connect with the divine through constant remembrance.
2. Kirt Karo: Lead a life of honesty and hard work.
3. Vand Chako: Share with others and support those in need.
4. Sarbat da Bhala: Seek the welfare of all.
5. Practice Truthful Living: Uphold truth fearlessly in every aspect of life.

In a world facing conflicts and wars like in Ukraine, Gaza, Armenia, these teachings offer hope and guidance.

This Gurpurab, let’s embody these principles for a peaceful, happier world.

Donate to Support This Work

You Showed People a Way out of Poverty

Launched by the India Chapter of UNITED SIKHS in January 2023, Project Kirti has been offering economically disadvantaged individuals access to sustainable income-generating resources such as electric rickshaws, welding sets, and sewing machines. Designed to nurture the quintessentially Sikh value of earning one’s livelihood by the sweat of one’s brow.

Project Kirti is aligned with one of the key UN sustainable development goals – to promote sustainable economic growth and full, productive, and decent employment for all.

You Bailed Out Families in Distress

Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtun Sikhs have been frequent victims of targeted killings by gunmen in the recent past. In June and March 2023, Manmohan Singh and Dyal Singh were respectively shot dead in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Earlier in May 2022, shopkeepers Ranjit Singh and Kuljeet Singh were killed abruptly by two unidentified gunmen.

The men killed were primary breadwinners and their loss dealt a devastating blow to their families. The Pakistan chapter of UNITED SIKHS has been monetarily supporting the families of the slain men, including paying for their household expenses and children’s education.

Additionally, our team coordinated with the authorities – submitted paperwork, made rounds of various ministries, and followed up with government officials – to get a relief package sanctioned for the bereaved families.

You Saved Countless Lives

Vital to saving the life of a critical patient, ambulance transportation service can be expensive in India where millions subsist on less than $2 a day. Started in 2021 and subsequently expanded across north India, our ambulances have been transporting scores of patients facing health emergencies to hospitals, entirely free of cost.  By ensuring timely access to medical attention, this extraordinary sewa is helping save lives in a BIG way!

Every time UNITED SIKHS’ free ambulance service helps save the life of a breadwinner, a marginalized family is potentially saved from a life of penury and destitution.

Make a gift to save more lives through doubling your donation during Dasvandh Week!

From 10th through 19th November, the Dasvandh Network will double your tax deductible donations made to UNITED SIKHS, allowing you to amplify YOUR impact on the community.  Grab this generous matching gift! Because your Dasvandh is making a REAL difference!

I extend a heartfelt invitation for you to be part of our mission—restoring the dignity and self-reliance of Panjab’s farmers. With the planting season fast approaching, our farmers need these seeds now more than ever.

Here's how your contribution can make a difference:

$30 can provide seeds for an acre of farmland.
$100 can support the revival of an entire small farm.
$500 can aid multiple farmers in restoring their livelihoods.

Your generosity has fueled our comprehensive 3-phase flood relief program in Panjab. In Phase 1, our teams swung into action, reaching out across the vast expanse of more than 1500 villages - from Ropar to Jalandhar, from Gurdaspur to Ferozepur, and beyond. Food, fresh water, everyday essentials, mosquito nets, comforting mattresses, and vital cattle feed - every need was addressed.

Understanding the health risks posed by the floodwaters, our teams, replete with doctors and nurses, held dozens of medical camps. They combated diseases, treated infections, and stood as a protective shield against the threats of the stagnant floodwaters. Their tireless efforts brought relief to over 150,000 people.

In Phase 2, with over 3,000 liters of diesel, we cleared floodwaters and washed away the intrusive river sand from farms. We ensured the livelihood of our farmers by providing fodder for close to 1,300 cattle. Beyond the immediate necessities, we restored roofs, helped rebuild homes and assisted communities to build embankments to guard against future calamities.
As we approach the onset of Phase 3, our mission goes beyond just bricks and mortar. Before the chill of November sets in, a crucial task remains: we must ensure the small farmers of Punjab can sow their fields this sowing season. It's here that the true spirit of recovery begins. With just $30, an entire acre of farmland can be revived, bringing life, sustenance, and hope back to a family.

Let's ensure that as we step into 2024, no farmer feels alone, no field remains barren.

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Your constant support is enabling us to continue our humanitarian assistance for flood victims in Panjab. Our on-ground teams are still relentlessly combing through the affected villages – continuing to funnel aid to victims through our three-phase relief and rehabilitation program – encompassing emergency aid, housing-repair, restoring livelihoods and facilitating self-employment.

Recently, in Batala, our team stepped in to help a family. Earning daily wages, they were barely making ends meet when the relentless rains made the roof of their home cave in. To add to their woes, they have a bedridden son, whose medical needs take up a significant chunk of their modest income.

“We were in dire need. The home was totally destroyed. Almost everything has been damaged,” said Amarjit Singh. “Getting the house rebuilt would have been impossible for us. We had no hope. We are grateful for this incredible help,” he said.

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Free screening of Mastaney Punjabi film based on Sikh history 

We organized a free screening of the Punjabi film Mastaney. The film is based on Sikh history, showing glimpses of Sikh valor and values. The aim of the free screening was to expose our younger generations to Sikh history, a history rich with stories of standing strong against oppression and injustice. Amritpal Singh from UNITED SIKHS said, "Our goal is to bridge the gap, helping our youth connect with their heritage and imbibe the values and spirit of Sikhism."

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Empowering through Self-employment

Your financial contributions have the potential to positively impact lives for generations to come. This is precisely what project ‘Kirti’ (self-reliance) is about, providing resources for self-employment to those in need.

Thanks to your generous donations, we've given a young person from Amritsar a new e-rickshaw. Now, he has a way to support his family with pride and dedication. Your kindness is making a real difference!

 "We're pouring our hearts into making sure everyone in Panjab connects deeply with Guru Nanak Sahib ji's message of Kirat, which is all about the honor in honest work," Amritpal Singh from UNITED SIKHS expressed. "Not only does this instill pride, but it also helps guide our youth towards positive paths and away from pitfalls like drug addiction."

After the devastating floods, hundreds of families are trying to pick up the pieces, reaching out for a helping hand to rebuild their lives.
 
Any amount you donate rebuilds homes, revives history, empowers through self-employment, and nourishes souls in Panjab. Your generosity today means hope, dignity, and resilience for many. Please, donate now.

65-year-old Sukhwinder Singh* (name changed*) had entered the United Kingdom with the help of an ‘agent’ nearly three decades ago. He had since lived on the fringes of London, working as a tailor at an Indian boutique. 

With no passport, no formal documents, and no proof of identity or residence, Singh was an ‘invisible’ undocumented migrant. 

Without any National Health Service (NHS) entitlements, Singh, now in his twilight years, was finding it increasingly difficult to stay on in the UK, particularly with his failing eyesight and health. He yearned nothing more than to see the family he hadn’t seen in decades; to go back home for good.

Luckily, an acquaintance told him about the UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Park Avenue, Southall. Singh approached the helpdesk and sure enough, UNITED SIKHS’ coordinators arranged his paperwork and met UK Home Office officials, facilitating his return home. 

How a Helpdesk became ‘The Helpdesk’

The UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Park Avenue, Southall has been helping people within and outside the community since 2008. 

“The year 2009 saw hordes of students arrive in the UK from India and Pakistan. The main purpose of the Helpdesk at the time was to help out these students who were struggling with basic things like their CV” says Miss Narpinder Mann, Senior Community Projects Advocate of the UNITED SIKHS UK Chapter. 

Miss Narpinder Mann is the most prominent face of the Helpdesk.

In 2015, Miss Mann received the British Empire Medal for her voluntary services to the Sikh and broader South Asian community through the UNITED SIKHS helpdesk.

Afterwards, as the word spread and the Helpdesk gained popularity, scores of homeless persons began showing up. Additionally, undocumented Indians and Pakistanis who wanted to return to their home countries but were afraid to contact the Home Office for fear of being arrested or detained also started turning up in large numbers. 

“We put them in touch with the Indian or Pakistan High Commission and the Home Office, proactively making arrangements for their voluntary departure” shares Miss Mann.

The helpdesk acts as a crucial bridge between Immigration Enforcement (IE) and individuals, taking care of paperwork, meeting IE staff, making travel arrangements, and counseling individuals.

An Impressive Record 

In 2009, UNITED SIKHS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of UK for ensuring that every person who sought the Helpdesk’s assistance in voluntarily returning to their home country must be sent back with dignity; not detained, harassed, or interrogated. As an official partner of the Home Office, the Helpdesk routinely supports individuals trapped in the maze of immigration laws.
Notably, from 2010-2012, the UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk also assisted about 300 Legacy Cases (term used for unresolved asylum and migration cases) receive grant of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a form of immigration status in the UK. 

In its 15 years of existence, the UNITED SIKHS helpdesk has assisted over 5000 people.

Open to All

Set up every Tuesday, the Helpdesk also attends to the wider social needs of community members. A motley of people approach the Helpdesk, including victims of domestic abuse, homeless individuals, and elderly individuals seeking information regarding medical tests, pension, and even just wanting their letters  to be read out and explained.
“The doors are forever open and we try to help out every person that approaches us in whatever way we can” explains Miss Mann. “We have a strong network of connections, and know precisely who to direct where” she adds. 

As the UNITED SIKHS representative, Miss Mann and two National Community Engagement Team (NCET) Officers were recently awarded at the Hayes Gurdwara Sahib for their valuable service to the community.

Services like the UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk in the UK are doing a world of good and YOU have an active role in making it all happen. 

Keep supporting us in making the world a better place!

                                                                                                                                                 Photo Credit: The Associated Press

Morocco, September 10  

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that shook Morocco with the intensity of 6.8, we have moved swiftly to deploy our humanitarian aid teams to provide critical assistance to the victims. The powerful quake, which is estimated to be the most destructive in 120 years has resulted in the tragic loss of more than 2000 lives, with at least 2059 injured as the toll continues to rise.  The earthquake, which lasted for several harrowing seconds, struck the region of Al Haouz, located 70 km southwest of Marrakech, a popular tourist city with an estimated population of 840,000.

We have mobilized our dedicated teams in the region to provide immediate assistance in the worst-affected areas during this time of dire need. Our emergency relief efforts encompass the distribution of essential supplies, including clean water, food, tents, and critically needed resources to support affected communities.

The United Nations estimates that approximately 300,000 people have been directly impacted by the earthquake, with an astounding 380,660 individuals residing within a 50 km radius of the epicenter.

                                                                                                                                                               Photo Credit: CNN

Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS International Humanitarian Aid Director said, "Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this tragedy. We witnessed the profound suffering of those who lost their homes and loved ones in Turkey not long ago. In this challenging time, we are resolute in our commitment to stand by the people of Morocco, extending our unwavering support. We earnestly call upon the global community to join us in offering assistance to those affected this catastrophic earthquake."

As the world faces a series of unprecedented challenges this year, we remain committed to providing critical assistance and support to vulnerable communities globally. Our teams have been already actively engaged in Turkey this year, providing essential supplies, food, and shelter to those in need to those affected by the devastating earthquake that hit the country. In Ukraine, despite the odds, our teams continue to provide humanitarian aid and are in the process of shipping much-needed ambulances to Ukraine with your support. We continue to provide a 3-step assistance program in Panjab, our dedicated volunteers are delivering comprehensive efforts, including emergency aid, house repairs, and livelihood restoration to those affected by the widespread floods.

                                                                    A recent report from Financial World

We feel the pain and suffering of those who have suddenly lost their families, homes and are going through unspeakable suffering. Please extend your support to those who are currently battling some of the toughest challenges of their lives in the aftermath of the earthquake, ensuring they have their next meal and a safe place to stay.

Dial 1-855-878-6333 for a Patient Ear, a Kind Word, an Emotional Hug: How UMEED is Helping Tackle Personal Crises

25-year-old Amandeep* (name changed) sobbed profusely when he dialed UMEED – UNITED SIKHS’ 24*7 confidential helpline number meant to help the South-Asian community members access resources for personal problems. In between sniffles and sobs, he recounted his story of lingering loneliness – of having grown up in a broken home in India, of coming to the United States all by himself, of his banal routine consisting of pursuing a degree by the day and working the graveyard shift by night. While life had not exactly been a cheerful affair earlier, a relationship with a girl in the U.S. that fell apart acted as the final straw, plunging him into an excruciatingly deep depression.

Luckily for him, UMEED made him aware of how he could make use of his medical insurance to seek mental health treatment which he promptly did. While he is currently on medication prescribed by the psychiatrist, he continues to find solace and succor in calling the UMEED helpline, savoring the simple comfort of having another human being listen and speak to him, as a friend or confidante would.

The line ‘you are not alone’ on the UMEED flyer – found inside the Gurudwara premises – caught the attention of 42-year-old Narinder* (name changed). He dialed the number and despite the initial reluctance to speak, he eventually revealed how he had been in dire straits ever since his wife had left him and taken their teenaged son along. The painstakingly built union of 15 years had fallen apart. The double whammy of desertion and isolation was causing him to question himself – was he truly a terrible spouse? Had he never been a good father? Luckily, Narinder found the support and validation he sought on that UMEED phone call and felt lighter by the time he hung up, free of the blame and self-contempt crippling his conscience.

Men are doomed to suffer in silence because they are socially conditioned to believe that sharing one’s grief is disgraceful – a veritable mark of unmanliness. Both Narinder and Amandeep bore deep emotional wounds, exacerbated by loneliness. But the cover of anonymity and confidentiality granted by UMEED allowed them both to give vent to their long bottled-up feelings without the fear of being judged or shamed. They were patiently listened to and proffered words of hope and optimism, making sure they felt they weren’t alone in their misery.

And that’s truly what UMEED has always stood for. Re-launched in 2022, UMEED is UNITED SIKHS’ community-driven helpline number set up to provide any kind of personal help or support or resource to community members. It could be help for overcoming substance addiction, resources for elderly care; it could be counseling for post-disaster distress, or even just someone to help banish the blues.

UMEED, or hope, means different things to different people.  Likewise, our helpline is designed to give every caller precisely the type of support they are looking for – tailor-made solace, if you will.

Are you a legal professional, marriage counselor, family lawyer, mental health expert, or senior care provider? Volunteer for UMEED, the community needs you! Fill out the form to become a volunteer https://unitedsikhs. org/join-us/

If you support the idea of sewa that drives UMEED, make a donation!

The recently concluded 12th Annual Summit and Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA), organized by UNITED SIKHS International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA), marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice, equality, and human rights for the Sikh community and humanity.

United States Attorney Ms. Dena J. King speaking at the Summit and AHAA Academy

Held from July 10th to 14th, 2023, the summit brought together elected officials, notable experts, and distinguished speakers from various fields to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and explore strategies to address the challenges faced by Sikhs and other minorities.

Director of the EEOC’s Washington Field Office, Mindy E. Weinstein, speaking at the Sikh Summit and AHAA Academy.

The event featured distinguished individuals, including United States Attorney Ms. Dena J. King, US Ambassador-at-Large Rashad Hussain from the Office of International Religious Freedom at the United States Department of State, as well as EEOC Washington Field Office Director Mindy Weinstein, among others. Additionally, this year's Summit included a certified workshop training on Mental Health, which was organized in collaboration with the New York Government.

Ambassador-at-Large Rashad Hussain from the Office of International Religious Freedom engages with participants at the Summit and AHAA Academy.

The summit united influential voices to address the concerns of the Sikh community. Participants deliberated on critical subjects including hate crimes, workplace harassment, discrimination, transnational aggression against minority communities, free speech, international and national civil rights litigation, interfaith and intercommunal alliances, religious liberty, as well as the articles of faith and heritage of the Sikh community worldwide.

Mitsu Puri and Sally Ghani from the New York City Government delivering Mental Health Training Workshop at the Summit and AHAA Academy

Reflecting on the Summit, Mr. Gurpreet Singh, CEO of UNITED SIKHS, remarked, "The summit acts as a catalyst for innovative solutions and collaborations. Attendees have the chance to participate in interactive workshops, breakout sessions, and networking events, fostering the exchange of ideas and the forging of partnerships to propel positive change."

During the course of the summit, participants were presented with a diverse array of civil rights subjects via presentations, breakout sessions, and speaker interactions. These sessions offered attendees a fresh perspective on the altruistic contributions of Sikhs in a world marked by both human-made and natural disasters and crises.

Participants attending the Summit and the Annual Humanitarian Aid & Advocacy Academy

“Attending the UNITED SIKHS Summit opened my eyes to the scope of many global issues and domestic programs in the U.S. Prior to this event, I had no idea as to the vast coverage that UNITED SIKHS has on world crises” said Saibhang Kaur. “I was deeply inspired by the advocacy and humanitarian projects of the UNITED SIKHS, and it has motivated me to contribute to my own community”, she added. 

Congresswoman Judy Chu discusses legislative priorities at the Summit and AHAA Academy.

"The global Sikh Summit serves as an incubation center, nurturing future generations of Sikh advocacy leadership," explained Mr. Manwinder Singh, Director of Advocacy at UNITED SIKHS. He added, "It also acts as a platform for refining and prioritizing our legislative and policy advocacy efforts at UNITED SIKHS for the upcoming year."

Read Full Report of the Summit here

Grateful for Your Support: Empowering Panjab - Today & Tomorrow!

The 2023 Panjab floods have left behind a trail of devastation that words struggle to capture. Thousands of lives upended, homes shattered, and a spirit tested. We stand at a crossroads, and your support shines as our guiding light.

Here’s a brief look at the figures (sadly, these are only partly indicative of the magnitude of devastation and human suffering):

The Present: Our Actions

A passionate band of UNITED SIKHS volunteers has been on the ground early on, delivering aid to over 550 affected villages in the state. Your generosity brought food, water, clothing, and medical supplies right when they were needed, touching the lives of over 200,000 people.

Our Panjab Flood Relief Program at a Glance

But the road ahead is long. We're here for the long haul. Will you stand with us? We invite you to join hands in Panjab's resurrection through a recurring donation. Your regular support fortifies our impact, accelerating rebuilding.

Your Gift's Journey:

Panjab and its people yearn for your hand to guide them through these times of crisis. Your support is not just a donation; it's a testament to resilience, compassion, and humanity.

Be the guiding light. Join us now!

In the face of adversity, when the floodwaters rose and darkness enveloped the lives of countless families in Panjab, your generosity shone as a beacon of hope. Today, as we stand at the threshold of our next phase in the Panjab Flood Relief efforts, we are humbled and deeply grateful for the kindness you have already shown. Your support has been the driving force behind our mission to salvage lives and livelihoods, and we invite you to continue this journey of compassion with us.

As part of UNITED SIKHS home-reconstruction survey, our volunteer checks the level of flooding in a Mansa village

Adopting Hope: Families United for Recovery

The impact of your contribution has been nothing short of extraordinary. A group of compassionate parents at a school came together, adopting four families identified by UNITED SIKHS in the village of Phoos Mandi at Sardulgarh in Mansa. These families, whose lives were upended by the ravaging floods, now have a lifeline thanks to your generosity. "We are supporting the families that were genuinely in need. We would support them in this incredibly tough time," shared one of the parents.

Gurvinder Singh, our UNITED SIKHS International Humanitarian Aid Director, echoes the sentiment, appealing to all individuals, organizations, and institutions to unite for the cause. "If you can get even one family through this time, you are preventing them from huge suffering. Please come forward to save these families and save the future of Panjab, the young children."

As a heartbreaking glimpse of the condition of hundreds of families, the humble dwelling of this family couldn’t survive floodwaters

Battling Back: The Power of Unity

Our teams have been on the frontlines, tirelessly assisting farmers to recover from the devastation. They pumped out floodwaters from fields, delivered crucial supplies like diesel for irrigation, and provided vital medicines to those in need. In Ahli Kalan village, farmers plugging a breached bandh expressed their gratitude for the medical aid and diesel you helped provide.

Even as farmlands in several villages remain inundated, more water has been released in Beas and Satluj adding to the woes

From Devastation to Determination

Yet, challenges persist. Farmlands remain inundated, and families still grapple with the aftermath of the flood's fury. Baljeet Singh, a UNITED SIKHS volunteer, vividly describes the situation as "staggering," emphasizing the urgent need for essentials, ration supplies, water, and medicines.

Our volunteers are even conducting fogging operations to prevent the spread of diseases like dengue and chikungunya, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the affected communities.

Fogging Services: Dispelling Disease-Bearing Mosquitoes from Villages

Expanding Impact: YOUR Ripple of Change

Amidst these trials, your support has remained steadfast. Our relief efforts have expanded to reach more districts, encompassing medical aid, daily essentials, tents, mosquito nets, hygiene products, and even cattle fodder. Your compassion has reached over 520 flood-affected locations across 11 districts, benefitting more than 120,000 individuals with medical assistance and aiding over 40,000 individuals with essential supplies.

Bringing Healing to Thousands: Mobile Medical Camps Reach Hundreds of Villages Since the Crisis Began

Cultivating Hope: Empowering Futures

Now, as we transition to our third phase, "Project Kirti," our focus turns to facilitating self-employment opportunities for families. We are actively working to empower them on their path to self-sufficiency, providing a lifeline for a brighter future.

YOUR Impact, Amplified

Your role in this journey is indispensable. The families of Panjab look to you with hope in their eyes, their hands reaching out for support. Together, we can rebuild lives, restore livelihoods, and bring lasting change to the communities that need it the most.

Please consider making a donation today and be a part of this remarkable endeavor. Your kindness has the power to transform lives and uplift an entire region.

Thank you for your unwavering support. Your compassion knows no bounds, and we are deeply honored to have you by our side as we continue to navigate this path of recovery and renewal.

A Searing Tragedy Strikes Hawaii: UNITED SIKHS Launches Humanitarian Mission

On the 8th of August, a devastating wildfire tore through the town of Lahaina on Maui Island, Hawaii. Fueled by low humidity, hurricane winds, and drought conditions, the inferno has left a path of destruction in its wake. The situation remains dire, and we urgently need your help to support the victims of this catastrophic event.

Scores of Lives Lost and Families Displaced

The death toll has tragically risen to 93, with survivors recounting harrowing tales of escape from the relentless blaze. Thousands of families have been displaced, many have lost their livelihoods, and dozens are still searching for their loved ones. The town of Lahaina, once a historic jewel, now lies in ruins, its structures razed to the ground.

Immediate Action by UNITED SIKHS

In the face of this tragedy, the UNITED SIKHS emergency response team has bravely stepped forward. With deep compassion and unwavering commitment, we are on the ground, providing essential aid to those affected. Our team is delivering food, water, over-the-counter medicines, tents, clothing, and sanitary supplies to locals and non-locals alike.

But We Need Your Support

The scale of devastation is overwhelming, and we cannot do this alone. The people of Hawaii need your help to rebuild their lives and communities. Your generous donation can make a real difference in providing shelter, sustenance, and support to those in need.

Hawaii Needs You! Support UNITED SIKHS Today

Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by the Hawaii wildfires. Your donation will help us provide immediate relief and aid in the long and arduous road to recovery. Together, we can help Hawaii make a faster, less painful recovery.

Every dollar you contribute will go directly towards providing vital resources and support to those in need.

With deep gratitude,
Gurpreet Singh
CEO, UNITED SIKHS
Recognize The Human Race As One

Watch this video on DVN:

Dear Compassionate Supporter,

In the wake of the devastating floods that have left a large part of rural Punjab inundated, we continue to reach the affected villages and towns across the flood affected regions. Our primary focus has been on addressing essential supplies and urgent health concerns and providing essential supplies to alleviate the hardships faced by the flood victims.

Recognizing the critical need for medical aid, we are distributing vital medicines to both cure and prevent infections prevalent in the aftermath of the floods. These efforts aim to mitigate the health risks posed by the stagnant water and unsanitary conditions that persist in the flood-affected regions. Our teams have provided in medicines and essential supplies in Rupnagar district in Basant Nagar, Guru Nagar, Kotla, Sadvart, Surtanpur Mand, Chhotepur, Chonta, Singh, Singhpura, Bhagwantpur, Gharatan, Ghuddupur, Gajjpur,  Chhoti Gando, Lakhmipur, Mahlan, Ranjitpura Bas, Fandi, Chakmeani, Lodhi Majra, Ghari, Jatana, Bela, Bait, Uddu, Boormajra, Mandudowal, Patial, Chontapaini, Burajpur, Barsada, Salarpur, Chhoti Gandho, Raje Majra, Dhona, Simbelchailyian, Badhwa, Haripur, Lalpur, Bassi, Mand, Haryalpur, Chanauli, Bhaowal, Noorpur, Chakala, Sadharimajra, Dhoogrikala, Ghadram, Dhola, Lakhanpur, Green Avenue, Adarsh Nagar, Madhodas Colony, Shampura Bela, Gobindpura, Mava, Kamalpur, Khanpur, Lodhipur Burj, Bunga Sahib, Fatehpur, Jand Sahib, Shahpur Bela, Harial Bela villages.

Our teams have been reaching out at war-footing, providing medicines, emergency relief and needs of people in need in flood-affected areas of Panjab.

Our volunteers waded through chest-deep waters to reach villages and localities of Patiala including Tejpur, Guru Nanak Pura, Matuali, Dhabee, Dharamheri, Gheora, Kamaspur, Dhanauri, Nawan Gaoon, Bibipur, Gajislar, Rajla, Draula, Drauli, Bhanra, Bhanri, Main, Sassa Gujran, Sassa Theh, Mangtan, Samspur, Gheora, Kmaspur, Dhanauri, Nawan Gao, Bibipur, Gajislar, Rajla, Draula, Drauli, Bhanra, Bhanri, Main, Sassa Gujran, Mangtan, Samspur, Bhagwanpura, Sassi Brahmana villages.
 Our teams of volunteers provided medicines and essential supplies Janian, Mehrajpur, Gatta Mundi Kasu, Bharoana, Gidderwindi, Saroopwal, Bandala and surrounding villages in Shahkot area, fodder in villages of Lohian in Jalandhar district; 
Volunteers also  reached out in Machhiwara in Ludhiana district to provide medical aid in Mubarakpur, Hedon Bet, Kotala Bet, Udhowal Khurd, Sukhewal, Sensowal Mand villages. Another team of volunteers has also reached the affected villages of Mansa district as well.

Several individuals from the affected communities highlighted the health challenges they are currently facing. Satnam Singh of Janian village when speaking with our volunteers remarked, "The floodwaters have caused an increase in cases of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and skin infections. Access to medical facilities is scarce, and we are grateful to you for providing essential medicines that have been instrumental in preventing further complications."

"We were already struggling to make both ends meet, but these floods have completely wrecked our hopes and will,” said Satwant Kaur of Shahpur Bela village.

To further support the affected communities, we are not only providing essential ration kits but also supplying cattle fodder to ensure the welfare of livestock. This additional aid acknowledges the significant role that animals play in the livelihoods of those living in the flood-hit areas, emphasizing our commitment to comprehensive relief efforts.

Our volunteers have been wading through flooded fields and terrains to extend emergency relief to victims in inaccessible areas as well.

The floodwaters continue to pose immense challenges for the affected villages, with a prolonged presence that hampers recovery efforts. We are identifying the areas where it has become feasible to pump out water from the fields to expedite the recovery process. 

In the wake of the release of water in Ujh river on July 19, and the increased threat of flooding in the districts along Ravi, our teams are ready to combat any untoward situation and help those in need in the Majha region as well. 

Our teams are constantly in touch with administration and panchayats of affected regions to identify the families who have been most affected by the floods to ensure that they receive the aid they need. 

Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS International Humanitarian Aid Director said, “We are deeply committed to supporting the communities affected by the devastating floods. We are providing all that people need, from medicines, ration, daily essentials, fodder. To combat the health issues arising from the floods, our teams are also going to carry out fogging of the areas to prevent the spread of mosquitoes and resultant diseases like dengue, chikungunya, etc. We urge everyone to come together and extend their support to our brothers and sisters in Punjab in this hour of need."

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ

Sangat ji, Thanks to Akaal Purakh Waheguru jee and your continued support, UNITED SIKHS sevadaars have been on the frontlines offering much-needed relief in Panjab. Here's a ground report of the ongoing work. Kindly donate to keep this effort going strong ✊

For people looking to find support regarding floods in Panjab or for any questions, please reach out to us at +91 9999053503

Government of Panjab also issued Flood Control Room Helpline Numbers. Please click here to see. 

Dear Supporter,

We have swiftly mobilized our Emergency Response Teams to provide assistance to the flood-affected communities in Mohali, Rupnagar, Sangrur, Ludhiana and other areas. With the submergence of several regions in Panjab, our teams are on the ground providing emergency assistance to the people impacted.

Our teams have reached the affected areas, rescuing people to safer areas.

The teams are also assessing the most urgent requirements of the affected communities. The on-ground evaluation will help identify and prioritize the immediate needs of the affected population, enabling us to provide targeted assistance efficiently.

Recognizing the importance of accessibility and convenience, our teams are also geographically reviewing the affected regions to identify suitable locations for setting up satellite centers. These centers will serve as operational hubs for providing essential relief materials, medical aid, and other necessary services to the flood-affected individuals and families.

To ensure seamless delivery of assistance, we are also mobilizing a fleet of ambulances and vans equipped with essential supplies and resources. These vans are being deployed to the affected areas, enabling our teams to rapidly respond to the immediate needs of the communities.

UNITED SIKHS encourages individuals to come forward and support our relief efforts. Donations in the form of funds, essential supplies, or volunteer time are vital in helping the affected people and provide aid to a larger number of affected individuals.

Your contribution can make a huge difference in extending help to those in need!

Two consecutive days – 23 June and 24 June – saw two attacks on two innocent Sikh men in Pakistan. On the evening of 24 June, Manmohan Singh, who owned a shop in Rashidgarhi Bazaar of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was going back home in an auto-rickshaw when two motorbike-borne assailants followed him and opened fire, killing him on the spot. The 32-year-old was the sole breadwinner in his family and is survived by his parents, wife, son and a disabled younger brother.

Just a day earlier on 23 June, Pakistani Sikh shopkeeper Tarlok Singh was targeted by assailants who shot at him multiple times and fled the spot. Luckily, he survived, albeit with an injury in his leg. According to a local news platform, the attack was later claimed by one Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).

Manmohan Singh (left) was shot dead while Tarlok Singh (right) escaped with injuries.

A Mindless Pattern

The murder and attempted murder of Manmohan Singh and Tarlok Singh respectively indicate the mindless, incessant pattern of targeted killings of religious minorities in Pakistan. Based primarily in and around Peshawar, Pakistan’s tiny ethnic Pashtun Sikh community has been frequently and alarmingly targeted by gunmen multiple times in the recent past.

Only a few months ago on 31 March, Sikh shopkeeper Dyal Singh was shot dead inside his grocery store at Peshawar’s Dir Colony market in broad daylight. On 15 May 2022, Sikh shopkeepers Ranjit Singh and Kuljeet Singh were killed by unidentified gunmen at Batta Tal Chowk bazaar near Peshawar.

The Urgent Need for Relief

Dyal Singh was killed in broad daylight on 31 March 2023.

While nothing can bring these men back or alleviate the pain of their loved ones, UNITED SIKHS has constantly endeavored to stand by the bereaved families of the slain men.
Thanks to the contributions of our donors, we have been providing monetary support to the families of Dyal Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Kuljeet Singh, paying for their household expenses and children’s education.

Additionally, the UNITED SIKHS chapter in Pakistan coordinated with the authorities –submitting paperwork, making rounds of various ministries, following up with government officials and so on – to get a relief package of 3 million PKR sanctioned each for the families of Ranjit Singh and Kuljeet Singh. Likewise, a relief package of 1 million PKR was announced and subsequently disbursed to Dyal Singh’s family.

Ranjit Singh left behind four young children – 3 daughters and a son

Against Human Rights

As an organization that unequivocally believes in recognizing the whole human race as one, UNITED SIKHS condemns the hate-filled, religiously motivated killings of Ranjit Singh, Kuljeet Singh, Dyal Singh, Manmohan Singh, and many others in the past.

Sikhs are vulnerable ‘soft targets’ in Pakistan. This has caused other issues to rise, such as Sikh families being unwilling to educate their girl children.

As of now, UNITED SIKHS has called on the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety of all its citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, and on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USIRF) to take note of the unmistakable pattern of targeting religious minority groups in the region.

UNITED SIKHS Director in Pakistan, Herdyal Singh, is currently in close contact with the victim’s family. We remain unwaveringly committed to providing them with the support and assistance they need.

Don't Look Away!

Manmohan Singh’s brother (left) and father (right)

According to news reports, at least 11 Sikhs were killed in targeted attacks in Pakistan in recent times. The killings have caused fear and anxiety among the Sikh community in Pakistan. Many Sikhs have left the country in the last few years, and those who remain are worried about their safety. The killings have also raised concerns about the future of gurdwaras (Sikh place of worship) in Pakistan. If the Sikh population in Pakistan continues to decline, it will become more difficult to maintain gurdwaras in the country.

While the family of innocent Manmohan Singh has lost their sole breadwinner and primary caretaker, they still have you to lean on.In this situation, it is we – UNITED SIKHS – and YOU who must bail them out. We need your invaluable help to assist the family. Not only are our volunteers in Pakistan busy submitting government paperwork on behalf of Manmohan Singh’s family, we are working to provide monthly monetary assistance for at least 5 years to help sustain the family. Additionally, we are looking at making arrangements to help them generate a source of income.

We must stand by them in this hour of need! Your donation is their only hope at the moment!

Left in the Lurch

Bani* (name changed) didn’t notice anything odd when her husband and in-laws told her they were going to attend a wedding in Canada and would be back within a day or two. The ‘wedding’ was in fact a ploy - her husband and his parents never came back, effectively abandoning the 23-year old, leaving her to fend for herself. Having newly immigrated to the United States following her wedding, Bani was suddenly confronted with the enormity of the situation – she was completely alone in an alien country, didn’t know a soul, and had nowhere to go. Her parents, back home in India, were in no position to support her financially even if she were to go back. Her spouse-dependent, legally grey status in the United States only made matters worse. Lonely and afraid, she reached out to Umeed.

Umeed assured Bani she wasn’t alone.

A Double Whammy

*35-year-old Simran (name changed) had grown accustomed to suffering domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. However, things spiraled out of control a few months ago, resulting in him being sent to prison and her, being left alone with her two young children, aged 6 and 3 (the latter is a special needs child). Although subsequently released on bail, her husband refused to support her anymore, declining even to sign the soon-to-expire lease deed of their apartment. Her husband’s decision has left Simran in a quandary – she has no credit history with her husband having been the primary caretaker all along. With no hope of reconciliation with her husband, her only option is to get someone to co-sign for her on the lease. With the prospect of homelessness looming large on the one hand, and a bleak legal future in the U.S. – she is a dependent L-2 visa holder – on the other, Simran called Umeed, hoping it could hold out a crumb of hope.

For South-Asian communities, domestic abuse is the elephant in the room. But Umeed is here to listen – even if no-one else will.

‘Can’t Tell Anyone’

It wasn’t easy for Mr. and Mrs. Puri* (name changed) to call Umeed. Their young college-going daughter, pursuing a teaching career, has been displaying erratic behavior, indicative of signs of mental illness. She has been verbally and physically abusive toward her parents and even had to be hospitalized at one time. A prominent and well-educated Sikh family, Mr. and Mrs. Puri are both alarmed and traumatized by their daughter’s condition.

A Shoulder to Lean On

A UNITED SIKHS initiative, Umeed, a 24*7 helpline, was recently relaunched for a simple reason – to provide social & emotional support, prevention strategies, coordinated services information, and essentially any kind of resource to needy individuals in the sangat.

Given the stigma surrounding personal crises, Umeed aims to extend assistance with 100 percent confidentiality intact.

From substance abuse counseling for young adults to domestic violence counseling for women and mental health support for those battling mental health issues – there is hope in store for everyone at Umeed.

Umeed, the All-Weather Friend to All

When Bani and Simran contacted Umeed, they did so hoping someone would listen.  We lent them a patient ear, assuring them that they didn’t have to fight their battles alone. Meanwhile, the UNITED SIKHS legal team is busy exploring options for fortifying their respective legal statuses, so as to enable them to gain rights to work in the United States and achieve financial independence. The team is also trying to find Simran a co-signer from the community with a sound credit profile for renewing her apartment lease. As for Mr. and Mrs. Puri, UNITED SIKHS are in the process of finding a mental health professional who will address their daughter’s problems, in light of the cultural beliefs and nuances of the family and community at large.

Hope Runs on Your Support

A wholly community-driven program, Umeed increasingly needs your support and participation to effectively bail out women like Bani and Simran. We need your cooperation to help parents like Mr. and Mrs. Puri.

Umeed needs volunteers to shatter the stigma around mental health problems – an ubiquitous yet taboo-ridden subject among South-Asian communities.

We need mental health experts as volunteers to go out there and conduct seminars and webinars, spreading awareness about mental health issues and the need to stop stigmatizing these. Umeed needs legal professionals to help women and men suffering marital problems, including abuse and abandonment. It requires professional caregivers to reach out to elderly members of the community. Last but not least, Umeed needs volunteers to simply listen, elicit a conversation, and become a ray of hope for the despairing and dispirited.

If you can’t volunteer but earnestly believe in the sewa being rendered to the sangat by our National Helpline Umeed, you could always make a monetary contribution! Your support, in any form, will help keep Umeed alive.

Become an UMEED Volunteer!

On 31 May 2023, UNITED SIKHS Programs Director, Hardayal Singh, won the prestigious International Sikh of the Year award at the 2nd British Sikh Awards 2023 held in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Aimed at recognizing extraordinary Sikhs and their achievements across various fields, the awardees are selected from among hundreds of nominations.

UNITED SIKHS Director Palwinder Kaur from our United Kingdom chapter collected the award on behalf of Hardayal Singh.

Indeed, it is impossible to extricate his achievements from the collective, consolidated efforts of thousands of donors and volunteers who supported the beliefs and actions of the organization he helped found.

Hardayal Singh (far right) with Ukrainian war orphans in Poland.

A Step Back in Time

Back in 1997, a group of young, professional Sikhs – among them Hardayal Singh – banded together to serve the advocacy and socio-economic needs of marginalized communities in Queens Borough, New York City. The year 1999 saw the birth of UNITED SIKHS as a registered non-profit organization. Little did its founders imagine at the time that this was an organization destined to uplift millions of lives through its chapters across five continents.

The year 2004 saw our first large-scale humanitarian aid mission in which our volunteers set up langar camps and distributed relief supplies in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.

The years 2004-06 witnessed UNITED SIKHS legal teams secure several landmark victories related to the civil and human rights of Sikhs in France, Belgium, and the United States – shaping “International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy” (ICHRA), our then-nascent pillar of work.

Spreading awareness about Sikh culture & identity has always been central to our ICHRA pillar of work.

Our unceasing efforts through the years earned us recognition as a community-driven, humanitarian aid organization, facilitating our affiliation in 2007 with the United Nations, Department of Public Information (DPI) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake prompted us to launch one of our biggest emergency aid missions. UNITED SIKHS provided 25, 000+ meals, gave shelter to 5000+ victims, built water treatment plants, and distributed medical supplies and clothes to thousands of survivors.

Our expansive relief efforts in Haiti lead then President Obama to famously name UNITED SIKHS at the 2010 National Prayer Breakfast event.

Our journey hit another milestone in 2017 when learning about Sikh Americans was introduced as part of the general curriculum for fifth and sixth graders in New York City (NYC) schools, following years of unrelenting efforts by UNITED SIKHS in collaboration with the NYC Mayor’s Office and NYC Department of Education.

The 2020 coronavirus pandemic unleashed horrors of a nature and scale the world had neither seen nor imagined. In the midst of the melee of fear, disease, and death, UNITED SIKHS addressed the needs of the most vulnerable worldwide, serving 4+ million meals globally.

While the world came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, our activities saw an increased momentum – thanks to the rock solid support of our donors and the courage of our volunteers.

In 2021, UNITED SIKHS readily stepped forward to rescue fleeing minority Afghan Sikhs and Hindus in the wake of Afghanistan’s Taliban takeover. We helped evacuate scores of families, eventually securing asylum for 141 Afghan minority refugees in Mexico – a result of months of intense legal advocacy.

UNITED SIKHS volunteers with representatives from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs receive Afghan Refugees at the Mexico City International Airport.

The 2022 Russia-Ukraine war triggered one of our largest humanitarian aid efforts.

We distributed relief materials, set up bomb shelters, and launched a tactical medical program to train civilians to deal with medical emergencies.

The year 2023 saw us launch Project Kirti in India, an employment-generating, poverty-alleviation program based on a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

A Shared Honor

An act of kindness has a life cycle of its own – it begins with a feeling of compassion and ends with an action of courage and conviction. UNITED SIKHS’ countless humanitarian acts are but a result of the coalescence of the right intent – of donors – and right action – of volunteers.

Young women volunteers with UNITED SIKHS.

As you extend your hearty congratulations to Hardayal Singh, it is perhaps time you gave yourself a pat on the back! Because nothing UNITED SIKHS ever did would be possible without your support. We are honored to share the British Sikh Award with you!

Keep supporting our work! Because even the tiniest contribution with the truest intention can make a TITANIC difference!

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ

Sadh Sangat ji,

Supporters like yourselves have organized two events to help empower Punjab. The first one's going to be held in Florida and the second in New York. Below are the details of both events and how to reserve your spot.

Join us for an unforgettable evening over dinner with Gurpreet Ghuggi, one of the biggest Punjabi comedians and artists of our time, as we support Project Kirti, an initiative by UNITED SIKHS to promote economic self-reliance in Punjab.

Reserve your spot now!

Click here to book a spot in Florida for April 21, at the Heatthrow Legacy Country Club.

Click here to book a spot in New York for April 23, at Antun's by Minar.

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

For decades, life for Jaskirat Singh (name changed), has been little more than a daily struggle for survival. The 55-year old lost his elder brother to the scarcely-remembered January 1989 anti-Sikh riots of Jammu, a brief but mad frenzy of violence and arson that claimed several Sikh lives. Burdened with the responsibility of two families, Jaskirat Singh struggled incessantly to make ends meet, only for his health to give way.

Despite nearing his sunset years, there was no way Jaskirat Singh could savor the luxury of retirement.

Thankfully, Project Kirti launched by UNITED SIKHS came to his rescue, arranging a bank loan and a down payment to help him obtain his very own e-rickshaw – a battery-operated vehicle used to transport passengers. Although Jaskirat still has to go to work, he now enjoys the relative comfort of having a stable and less taxing source of livelihood.

Daughter of a daily-wage laborer, 23-year-old Arshdeep Kaur* (name changed) had long aspired to become a professional cosmetologist. But with her father’s meager earnings and familial responsibilities – she has two other siblings including a physically challenged brother– she could ill afford the steep course fees. Luckily, she came to know of UNITED SIKHS’ Project Kirti.

Having received financial assistance under the Project, Arshdeep has now enrolled herself in the course.

She now looks forward to a bright future – a hitherto impossible dream.
It is hard to fight back tears for Harnam Singh* (name changed) as he recalls the untold hardships unleashed by the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and its subsequent fallout. A father of two, 33-year-old Harnam Singh worked for a small private enterprise which closed down during the first wave of the pandemic, leaving him broke and unemployed. While Harnam received some help from UNITED SIKHS at the time, the following years weren’t easy as he had to work multiple odd jobs to try and cobble together a decent livelihood. Finally, UNITED SIKHS’ Project Kirti lent a hand, taking out a bank loan in his name and making a down payment to help him obtain his own e-rickshaw.

Today, Harnam is deeply thankful because he has a stable source of income. He is determined to work hard and pay off his EMIs.

Misfortunes have been a constant companion of 37-year-old Kawalpreet Kaur* (name changed), a mother of two school-going children. Afflicted with a spinal injury, her husband has been unable to work, leaving the family in dire straits. Mired in debt and financial difficulties, Kawalpreet finally found hope with UNITED SIKHS’ Project Kirti. The latter helped her procure two sewing machines she can use to earn a decent living for her family.

Kawalpreet can now look after her husband and children without having to constantly worry about money for square meals.

Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, Vand Chakko: Path to a Fulfilling File
 
Started by the India chapter of UNITED SIKHS, Project Kirti isn’t about creating jaw-dropping ‘rags to riches’ stories; nor is it meant for people scrounging for freebies.

Instead, it draws inspiration from the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib ji (founder of Sikhism) himself who summed up righteousness as comprising hard work for earning an honest livelihood (kirt karo); reciting God’s name (naam japo); and sharing one’s wealth with the community (vand chakko).

Project Kirti was started sometime in the last quarter of 2022, and formally launched on 31st January 2023.

Ever since its inception, Project Kirti has helped scores of indigent but industrious individuals across Delhi and Punjab earn an honest and honorable livelihood by giving them access to income-generating resources such as sewing machines, juice carts, e-rickshaws, and welding sets, among others. It has also helped young people like Arshdeep Kaur enroll into or complete educational courses, paving the way for a promising career ahead.

The Best Part?

Under Project Kirti, beneficiaries are only assisted to the point of creating an opportunity for growth - they must labor on their own to repay the loan for the asset UNITED SIKHS helped them procure. Because ‘kirt’ is a virtue embedded in the Sikh way of life!

Project Kirti is running but for the generosity of donors like you.
Help us sustain and grow this nascent project and touch the lives of thousands of beleaguered individuals who are unable to come out of the vicious circle of lack of employment, debt, and poverty.

Support Economic Self-Reliance! Support Project Kirti!

P.S.: Faces of beneficiaries have been blurred to maintain confidentiality.

UNITED SIKHS volunteers are typically emotionally resilient people, not prone to breaking down or getting overwhelmed. But while serving earthquake victims in Turkey – for the first time in a long time – many have had their eyes well up with tears, or temporarily withdrawn into catatonic silence, sighed and gazed listlessly, pondering the colossal tragedy that had befallen perfectly good men and women. 

Weep for Whom?

70 year-old Azda from Antakya, Hatay Province – one of the places affected most severely by the 6 February earthquake – lives on after having lost 8 members of her family

Ali from İskenderun, Hatay Province, has only memories to cling on to – he lost 36 members of his family. 

Meanwhile, Kenan from Samandağ, Hatay Province, continues to relive the horror of flinging both his children down the third floor building in which they lived, ironically, in a bid to save them when the earthquake first struck. 

Ali, who suffered a fracture as a result of his fall, shivers at the terrifying memory of having to choose between certain death and probable death for his children and himself

A Seismic Tragedy

The 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake is, by all accounts, the deadliest in centuries - the number of people confirmed dead has now crossed 45,000 in Turkey; thousands more have been injured across the 11 most hard hit provinces. The scale of devastation is massive. 

Moreover, millions have been rendered homeless, food and water shortages persist, and fears of infections and epidemics are every day mounting.

Scenes from Turkey’s worst-hit cities could well be out of an apocalyptic nightmare. 

Houses that lined the streets lie reduced to piles of rubble pulverized beyond recognition 

Neighborhoods, once alive and astir, wear a frightfully desolate look

Makeshift tents – appallingly overcrowded with no sanitation facilities – have been pitched everywhere by victims, many of whom still dread going near buildings or even close to their now-mangled homes. Plunged into sudden homelessness and destitution, they have had little time to grieve their loved ones or lament their financial ruin. Everyday survival is nothing less than an ordeal. 

Rushing Forward to Help

Teams of UNITED SIKHS volunteers flew in from Germany and Denmark, reaching the badly affected province of Adıyaman on Day 3 of the earthquake

Presently a team from the U.S. is serving at various affected spots across Adana and Hatay provinces.

As part of our relief operations, we are distributing essentials such as food, water, and clothing

Given the state of the wrecked gas pipelines, we have also begun distributing portable cylinders. The old and indigent are being offered cash assistance. 

Soldiering On

Helping out in Turkey has by no means been easy for our volunteers

The team at Samandağ has been putting up inside containers and the one in Adana Province is currently in living quarters far from the main site of destruction – widespread devastation made it impossible to put up anywhere close by. Every day they dutifully refill the SUV with supplies at Adana city, and drive down the treacherous, debris-littered 3-hour road to reach the affected towns and cities.

That’s not all.

On more than one occasion, gaggles of men, women, and children desperately clamoring for essentials accosted our volunteers, jostling to seize provisions and creating a near-riot like situation

Leave Mid-Way? The Question doesn’t Arise!

No matter how tough the going gets, UNITED SIKHS volunteers are determined to stay on and lend a hand.

Volunteers feel they must continue to provide humanitarian and relief aid till a measure of normalcy returns to the region

Wonder what makes them want to go on despite the many odds?

The answer is YOU. YOUR magnanimity strengthens our resolve. Because we know you’ve never been one to look away. Especially not when millions have been left bereft of all they ever had. All they ever had – read that again.

A serpentine queue outside a UNITED SIKHS aid distribution center; victims’ needs overwhelmingly outweigh supplies

Children enjoy a hot meal served by UNITED SIKHS volunteers

This mammoth, collective injury needs healing, not help.

Be the healer Turkey needs.

Hatay, Turkey 

Responding to one of the worst disasters to hit Turkey, UNITED SIKHS is collaborating with various governments and local organizations for relief operations and expanding assistance to the most affected regions. This includes digging the rubble looking for survivors and distributing relief supplies. 

In addition to the relief aid in Diyarbakir, the disaster relief team has set up a base in Hatay, one of the worse affected regions in southern Turkey.

Our volunteers from Denmark and Germany have joined the relief operations. They are also collaborating with local volunteers to quickly expand humanitarian assistance to the most affected areas.

UNITED SIKHS volunteers distributing food to earthquake-affected children in Diyakabir

Speaking about the disaster and the collaboration with various governments, Gurpreet Singh, CEO UNITED SIKHS said, "We are in pain seeing the wide scale of devastation and suffering. To maximize the relief work across regions, we are collaborating with government agencies in Hatay. As part of the initiative, our supporters would also help ship relief consignments of required items to Turkey. We need your generous support in providing urgent humanitarian relief to the thousands impacted."

Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS International Humanitarian Aid Director also appealed that the scale of the disaster calls for a global response. “People are still trapped under the rubble. And those who survive have lost everything. They are in immediate need for humanitarian assistance. Please support us in providing critical aid to regions where no one has reached,” he said.

Our on-ground teams report that supplies including non-perishable items like baby food, water, tents, heaters, mattresses, pillows, warm socks and shoes, female hygiene products in addition to portable toilets and medical supplies are urgently needed.

UNITED SIKHS continues to provide humanitarian relief to victims of man-made or natural calamities including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Our teams have provided humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Pakistan in 2006, in Haiti in 2010, in Chile in 2010, in Japan in 2011, and in Pakistan-Afghanistan in 2015, as well.

Kavita Kumar, UNITED SIKHS volunteer from Denmark who joined the mission in Turkey said that it is hard to describe colossal damage and suffering. Temperatures are dropping below zero, making it worse for those displaced and homeless.

Thousands of families have lost everything. They are counting on your kindness. Please donate generously.

Guru Pyari Sadh Sangat ji,

We are moved by your love and support for our mission and vision. Because of this, we were able to help people across 5 continents.

All through the year, UNITED SIKHS volunteers have been providing urgent humanitarian aid, whether helping bring back the swaroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to safety in Ukraine or setting up free ambulances for sick patients in various cities of Punjab. We continue to respond to emergencies with your support.

Our teams have been on the ground in hostile weather conditions and conflict zones, delivering hot meals, medications, and rehabilitation. We were able to provide legal support where there was injustice and threats to the safety of minorities, including Sikhs in Afghanistan, Nanded and Shillong.

Gurmat and Gurmukhi classes have been organized in Shillong, Punjab and Peshawar to connect our children back to our roots.

As we prepare to step into 2023, we look up to you to continue to support our projects so that we may together aim higher and be of assistance to hundreds of thousands of more families in need. 

UNITED SIKHS Humanitarian Aid Director, Gurvinder Singh, gives you a bird’s eye view of the work you helped us do this year.

We appreciate your support as we stand ready to serve humanity in 2023!

Wind has stilled. The vast fields stretch off into foggy distance.

Poh is when winter peaks in Punjab. Poh is when Chaar Sahibzadey embraced martyrdom.
For the Sikh community, it’s commemoration of unparalleled sacrifices.
The sacrifices chronicled by poet Allah Yar Khan Jogi in these poignant lines: ਬੱਸ ਏਕ ਹਿੰਦ ਮੇਂ ਤੀਰਥ ਹੈ ਯਾਤਰਾ ਕੇ ਲੀਯੇ ! ਕਟਾਏ ਬਾਪ ਨੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਜਹਾਂ ਖ਼ੁਦਾ ਕੇ ਲੀਯੇ! There is only one shrine worth pilgrimage in the land of Hind (Indian subcontinent), where a Father (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)  made the highest sacrifice, laying down the lives of his children for Faith (standing up for human rights and justice).

But how does our knowledge of Chaar Sahibzadey compare to the understanding the community had of them in the years past?

As part of UNITED SIKHS educational campaigns under our Community Education and Empowerment Development (CEED) program, our volunteers have fanned across Punjab’s landscape, circulating questionnaire about one of the most significant phases of Sikh history.

Out on a mission to find out how deeply the present-day Sikhs in the heartland of the faith know the details and the context of the Shaheedi of Chaar Sahibzadey.

“The aim is to know about the lives and the martyrdom of Chaar Sahibzadey and what they stood for. We encourage learning the history of our faith at a deeper level, beyond the peripheral understanding of high points in the past 550 years.” — Amritpal Singh, UNITED SIKHS Ludhiana Director

Respondents are given a questionnaire on Chaar Sahibzadey. They can quiz each other in their own family. They can quiz their friends.

“We are organizing this campaign under our ongoing Community Education and Empowerment Development (CEED) program. During this Shaheedi month, we’d encourage people to have a deeper understanding of Sikh history. It’s high time we revived the Sakhi tradition in our families. Let’s revisit our roots.” — Daljit Singh, Executive Director, UNITED SIKHS

Participants stand a chance to win exciting prizes. Answers can be sent to a designated address.

An open quiz in Ludhiana hosts prize giveaways for different age-groups.

Your monthly donation enables us to initiate such seva and sustain it! 

No matter how hard 42-year old Deepinder Kaur (name changed) tried to erase the memory of that vicious look in her husband’s eyes, it would float before her mind’s eye, causing her to recoil in fear, convulse in agony. 

Deepinder was brought by the police to the hospital after her husband savagely beat her, knocking her unconscious. Her face bore multiple fractures and her tongue was split open. She had bruises on her lungs, and lacerations to her head. The pain that tore through her body was exacerbated by the knowledge that she had nowhere to go in the United States, and she wasn’t fluent in the English language. It didn’t help that she was unemployed and still in the process of extending her US visa.  

By the time she called Umeed – the UNITED SIKHS’ helpline number – she had been living in her car for a few days. When her story unraveled, the UNITED SIKHS volunteers found her a place to stay, helped her reschedule her visa appointment, and offered her free mental health support to help her overcome what she had been through. 

It is not hard to spot women like Deepinder in North America’s South Asian community. You can tell when they are fighting back tears while picking up groceries at the supermarket. You notice their uncharacteristic reticence at social gatherings. And not just beleaguered women like Deepinder.  The solitary, elderly gentleman with the vacant look in his eyes. The crestfallen teenager you can tell was bullied at school today. The disoriented scruffy-looking man on the bus. The girl with the alcoholic father in the neighborhood. 

At times it is stigma that stops people from speaking out. At other times, it is a feeling of hopelessness arising out of not knowing whom to reach out to. This is exactly what inspired the creation of Umeed (meaning hope), the latest community-driven initiative from UNITED SIKHS.

Umeed is a 24/7 helpline in principle but could be a potential lifeline to those in real need. Launched to provide social support, prevention strategies, and coordinated services information, Umeed aims at helping the most vulnerable find the resources they need, at a time they need it the most with 100% confidentiality intact.

Anyone going through a personal crisis could dial the helpline number and get access to resources and professional help related to senior care service, mental health support, substance abuse counseling, domestic abuse counseling, post-disaster distress counseling, and social support service. This way, they'll know they aren't alone. And they definitely aren't uncared for.

For most South Asian communities, personal, familial, and marital traumas still make for unnerving conversations. It’s not going to be easy to popularize this unique family help center helpline because few will be willing to acknowledge they need this kind of help. And that’s why this nascent initiative of UNITED SIKHS needs a collective push from people like you. 

We need legal professionals, marriage counselors, family lawyers, mental health experts, senior care providers, and medical professionals! We also need volunteers who are simply willing to go out there, to elicit a conversation, to talk and listen. Last but not least, we need generous donations from people like you to sustain hope; to keep Umeed up and running.

Umeed needs YOU today; your community members need YOU. Most of all, YOU need to be the person who won’t look away, thinking you don’t know how to help.

Make A Donation & Help Rekindle their Hope: Donate Now

Dear Sangat ji,

With the blessings of Waheguru Ji and your support, UNITED SIKHS continues to transcend boundaries and geographies, to be able to take the fragrance of Sikh principles and tenets around the globe, to spread Guru Nanak Patshah’s message of Oneness, and embrace all and everyone in need, wherever they are.

Your faith in us has helped us set up more Chapters in Europe – in Ukraine and Denmark this year, strengthening our reach and resolve to serve, even if it meant risking our own lives to help those in need.

The sewa encompasses the following main areas of work — humanitarian aid, legal aid, human rights advocacy and community empowerment and education. Expertise in all of the aforementioned areas, along with our global presence, presents us with a unique strength to quickly mobilize our teams and resources whenever the need arises.

For instance, during the resettlement of the Afghan Sikh & Hindu refugees after attacks on a Gurudwara Sahib  in Afghanistan, our Sikh Aid team helped in their rescue, ensured humanitarian aid to them, while our legal teams liaised and coordinated with the governments of Afghanistan, India and Mexico to secure a new safe home for Afghan Sikhs — requiring quick coordination across our sewa verticals.

Our legal teams helped the young Sikh boys who had to face indiscriminate charges against them by the police in Nanded Sahib for crossing over the barricading and scuffling with the police, during the Hola Mahalla celebrations last year. While the UNITED SIKHS legal team had sought bail orders for many of them last year, several of them were still facing charges. UNITED SIKHS teams successfully availed anticipatory bails for 35 Sikhs.

For over 20 years, UNITED SIKHS continues to advocate for the victims of hate crimes, discrimination, bullying and other issues involving minorities. UNITED SIKHS has undertaken data collection on hate/bias crimes and incidents against Sikhs to ensure that justice is properly served. UNITED SIKHS works in North America, the United Kingdom and the rest of the world in partnership with other organizations to raise awareness of hate/bias-related incidents and crimes against Sikhs, and to encourage the practice of reporting such incidents within the Sikh community.

The Power of Your Giving Helps Us Empower our Communities — It is an Investment into a Better Present and a Stronger Future.

Your donations will be matched when you make a donation to UNITED SIKHS through Dasvandh Network. Please double the impact of your ‘Dasvandh’ by making a gift today: https://www.dvnetwork.org/projects/disaster-relief-fund

A FUTURE WITHOUT VIOLENCE. UMEED: Educate….Empower… Enable !!

Your contributions will provide the most precious gift of Umeed (Hope) – to realize a new life free from violence.

Join UNITED SIKHS’ Community Education and Empowerment Directorate (CEED) program – UMEED, a National Family Resource Center. If we all work together, a better future is possible.

The helpline is fully confidential and is available 24/7, with a mission to 'listen', offer hope and resources to callers to help them break the silence about violence and receive trauma-informed services and other support services. 

National Family Resource Center Toll free Help-line: 1-855-US-UMEED (1-855-878-6333)

Join us as we fight for your rights by supporting our work! Make a donation and double the impact you make during Dasvandh-matching week, November 11 - 20.

Our resource advocates can help you find professionals and resources for services including domestic violence counseling, disaster distress counseling, senior care services counseling, substance abuse counseling, assistance with Medicare and other federal programs, language assistance and personal support services.

Violence exposure, be it direct or indirect, impacts the victim’s physical, emotional and social health and well-being. UNITED SIKHS is committed to supporting and helping you receive the assistance you need to recover. Together we will initiate effective and long-lasting changes.

With greater awareness, as a society, we can develop effective ways of responding to the needs of our community. Come join us in confronting the reality of violence in our community and improve lives of our children, brothers and sisters.

Your contributions will provide many with the most precious of gifts – Umeed (hope). Will you give them this gift?

Your gift will help many realize a new life free of violence and provide support services to our children, women and seniors.

Be safe and stay in Chardi Kala!

UNITED SIKHS volunteer, Dr. Sagarjeet Singh with impacted families in Shikarpur, a building’s roof collapsed, killing 2 people on the spot.

Over 33 million people are directly impacted by one of the worst floods in Pakistan. Nightmarish scenes are being witnessed as massive floods wreak havoc and devastation across the country.

UNITED SIKHS volunteers have stepped up with humanitarian aid efforts in multiple locations in the country to help provide emergency relief to families in need.

-        Distribution of food and water among 12000 families including children, women, and men in two camps in Charsada district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Nearly 2 lakh people are impacted due to flash floods in the district Charsada, 70 km from Peshawar.

Herdyal Singh, Project Director, United Sikhs Pakistan, said, “We have received request to assist 20,000 more families as we responded swiftly to the crisis, deploying teams and resources for emergency relief in the affected areas.”

Due to the massive scale of the floods, several areas still remain cut off as roads and bridges have been destroyed, and communication systems have collapsed. The teams are making every effort to reach and serve difficult-to-access areas as UNITED SIKHS is making efforts to expedite the relief operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Baluchistan and Punjab as well, he said.

-        “While we provide emergency items like milk powder, sanitary pads, food, drinking water, mattress, mats, and non-food items (NFIs), we are gearing up to set up free medical camps in Nowshera and other districts as the threat of diseases due to water-borne diseases and infections from nearly 8 lakhs of carcasses of cattle looms large,” he added. A temple is also under water in Nowshera, a district with sizeable population of Hindus and Christians.

Due to the heavy rain in Shikarpur, a building’s roof collapsed, killing 2 people on the spot.

-        Dr. Sagarjeet Singh, a volunteer of the UNITED SIKHS Medical Core and Member of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee immediately moved the Swaroop of Sri Guru Granth sahib Ji Maharaj to a nearby Gursikh Family residence.

The condition in Pakistan is critical. Help us save lives by supporting this relief mission.

New York, NY:
 The UNITED SIKHS 2022 Annual Summit and Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) was a success by all measures!   Thanks to all that willingly participated including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), our partners in civil rights advocacy and more!  

It took place virtually for the first time and, in the span of 5 days between July 25-29, 2022, the event drew speakers from around the world, from the private and public sectors,  including  members of the U.S. Congress, civil rights attorneys, the legal and business communities and executive leadership from federal government agencies. They all came together at this Summit to discuss pressing Sikh and other civil and human rights concerns in the U.S. and abroad.

"The aim of the Academy is to nurture future leaders by providing them with the opportunity to acquire subject matter knowledge and skills and to learn about an array of civil rights topics," 

— Inderjeet Singh, UNITED SIKHS Community Affairs Coordinator

“Capacity of UNITED SIKHS to mobilize national and international leaders to speak at the Annual Summit attests to the Sikh grand principle of “recognizing humans as one race.” We will continue to expand our humanitarian aid and legal advocacy. We are excited and already looking forward to our next Summit,”

— Hardayal Singh, Co-founder and Programs Director at UNITED SIKHS

Many highly competitive students of varied backgrounds applied and were selected to participate. They were part of and learned valuable skills and lessons about leadership through their participation. The students showed immense enthusiasm and commitment to the struggle for social justice, to engage in civil rights advocacy, volunteerism and in international humanitarian aid work, and in education and healthcare initiatives.

“This has been an experience like no other. Nowhere could I have been able to interact with high-level federal government officials, Congressmembers and civil rights attorneys in such a short span of time and feel like I am a part of it.”      
— Z. Hussain, Hicksville, NY, Student, 2022 AHAA. 

The Summit has the added value of educating people about what a Sikh is.  Students learned, some for the first time, why Sikhs wear turbans and what spiritual significance the five articles have for a practicing Sikh. They learned how there are hate crimes and discrimination against the community.  “They will hopefully go from here and tomorrow ten more people will know what the Kirpan is and the spiritual significance of a turban,” states Gurpreet Singh, CEO at UNITED SIKHS.  “Why is this important?  Because the Sikh and other minority communities have been under attack. For the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian and Hindu (MASSAH) communities these attacks stem from misinformation and stereotypes. For the Sikh community in particular the attacks stem from ignorance of what is a Sikh. “We are educating people because it’s easy to rely on misinformation and stereotypes and to hate what you don’t know. In the words of the Director of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS), Mr. Paul Monteiro, “It’s hard to hate up close,”  states Gurpreet Singh.  

The Summit explored a multitude of themes and topics such as COVID-19; Sikh Religious Rights in the U.S. and Mandatory Vaccinations; Afghan and Ukraine Refugees; Gun Violence; Mental Health National Crisis, Funding For Local and National Nonprofit organizations; Prisoner’s Rights; Reproductive Rights; the 28th Equal Rights Constitutional Amendment; Justice Reform and Restitution and Violation of Religious Freedoms Abroad. 

“UNITED SIKHS advocates for all in need and this year’s Summit’s special focus is on combating violence against all vulnerable communities. Especially in this time when the AANHPI community is experiencing an exponential increase in violence due to misinformation about the origins of COVID-19.  In its 2022 Annual Report, UNITED SIKHS joins other civil rights leaders, including the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), in calling for Congress to fund data collection, hate crime prevention initiatives and urging the full implementation of the COVID-19 Hate Crime Act,” states Wanda Sanchez Day, National Legal Director, UNITED SIKHS.

“In this Academy, we learnt how the real world works"

P. Kaur, New Delhi, India, 2022 AHAA.

The Academy is successful each year because it brings together people from all walks of life. The students participate because it’s a chance they may not get elsewhere. The speakers are dynamic, successful professionals who speak about topics that they are working on in real time.  The speakers this year included: 

Congress member, Hon. Grace Meng (D-NY), Congressional Sikh Caucus;
Congress member, Hon. Judy Chu, (D-CA), Congressional Sikh Caucus;
Mr. Paul Monteiro, National Director, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Section (CRS);
Mr. Michael Lieberman, Senior Policy Counsel at Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC);
Ms. Samantha Osaki, American Civil Liberties Union, (ACLU);
Mr. Harpreet Mokha, Esq., Manager for Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, and Hindu (MASSAH), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); 
Mr. Manpreet Dhanjal, Special Assistant, Office of Policy & Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
Mr. Mark Ludeking, Special Assistant, Office of Policy & Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
Ms. Guljit Bains, Esq., Partner, Law Office of Ali & Bains, PC; 
Ms. Marie Trottier, Policy Advisor/Tribal Affairs Liaison/Outreach Program Manager; Transportation Security Administration (TSA);
Mr. Jamie Staley, Supervisor, Policy Advisor, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF);
Mr. Marcus T. Coleman Jr., Director Office of the FEMA Administrator, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships;
Ms. Kiran Kaur Gil, Executive Director, SALDEF;
Mr. Jon Kaiman, Deputy County Executive, Suffolk County, New York;
Dr. Ishnella Kaur Azad, Executive Vice President, 5Rivers CRE;
Mr. Sameer Hossain, Director of Community Engagement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE);
SCBPO Mario Ramirez, APP-Trusted Traveler Programs Representative, Global Entry 101-Partnership with Foreign Countries to Processing Entry of Foreign Citizens into the U.S.;
Ms. Hardeep Kaur Sehmbi, Merck; 
Dr. Nathan H. Madson, JD, PhD.,  The Advocates for Human Rights, Minneapolis and more. 

“UNITED SIKHS connects the dots by helping students see how a topic as obscure as prison gerrymandering, for example, that they may never have heard about, or even feel they have any connection to, could be relevant when put in the context of their own lives and experiences,”  
—Ms.  Sanchez Day

“In this Academy, in only a week, I learned tools I could use to make a difference now.  I believe that the key to this discussion is finding a middle ground, and creating laws and policies that can provide justice for everyone while being applicable to any situation.” 

A. Porter, Peoria, Illinois, Student, 2022 AHAA.

Finally, the Summit and AHAA could not have succeeded without the unfailing commitment of our donors and supporters.  

Thank you!

UNITED SIKHS team is on the ground in waterlogged villages of Sri Muktsar Sahib villages to offer emergency relief. Farmers and villagers of Middha and nearby villages in the district are facing a harrowing time, as almost entire villages and farmlands have become waterlogged because of rising water table. The water hasn’t receded for over a week — endangering the whole standing paddy crop, and signalling an impending crisis for the entire area. 

Not just the farmland, water as high as 4-5 ft has swamped households, confining people to rooftops. Incessant rains have brought down several roofs. Animals have started dying from hunger and disease, as fodder has swept away. People have already started contracting skin infections and the threat of an outbreak is rising.

These villages, located in low lying areas, are prone to water-logging. Farmers say that every year, at least 30 percent of the area gets swamped. But the damage this year is much more severe, as 90 percent the area is under water, which would lead to a total loss of crop. 

UNITED SIKHS relief teams have set up medical camps in the area to prevent an outbreak of diseases. Mobile medical camps with UNITED SIKHS ambulance is also equipped to facilitate medical access across villages.

In addition, emergency relief supplies include over 100 tarpaulin sheets and construction material to help repair damaged homes. The teams also carry fodder for cattle.
“Our team visited the villages to assess the extent of damage and the requirements before starting the relief work. We are making every effort possible to lessen the adverse impact in the area,” said Parminder Singh from UNITED SIKHS, leading the relief efforts.

As a global humanitarian relief organization UNITED SIKHS is at the forefront to alleviate the suffering of people facing man-made crises and natural calamities. 

Thank you for your support and generous donations in making these efforts possible.

UNITED SIKHS is excited to announce that the 2022 Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) and SIKH SUMMIT will be back this year between July 25th through July 29th, 2022! This five-day hybrid event will take place via ZOOM and in person in Washington, DC. It is designed for students and young professionals, 17 years of age and older, who want to learn and become involved in the struggle for social justice, to engage in civil rights advocacy, to volunteer for international humanitarian aid work and to work on education and healthcare initiatives.

Through completion of AHAA training, a UNITED SIKHS Academy graduate can begin to build important communications skills that provide a life-long competitive edge in politics and in the field of law, business, health and education.

This is a unique opportunity to meet Sikh and other Capitol Hill, national civil rights and government leaders. This comprehensive training program features workshops conducted by qualified speakers including acclaimed national and international civil rights activists and top government officials.

The training will end with a virtual Advocacy Day on July 29, 2022 where AHAA students will have an opportunity to utilize the advocacy skills they learned during the Summit to advocate with Congressmembers on pressing civil and human rights topics.

The AHAA will equip selected applicants with the skills and resources needed to pursue and further a career while pursuing “SEVA” (selfless service).

The Topics for Annual Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) & Sikh Summit this year will include COVID-19; Sikh Religious Rights in the U.S.; Mandatory Vaccinations; Afghan and Ukraine Refugees; Gun Violence; the Mental Health National Crisis; Funding For Local and National NGO Charities; Prisoner’s Rights; Reproductive Rights; the 28th Equal Rights Constitutional Amendment; Justice Reform and Restitution and Religious Freedoms Abroad. Join us to learn more!

UNITED SIKHS will accept applications through July 23, 2022, from outstanding, diversely-qualified, young leaders who want to participate in the AHAA and the Sikh Summit.

For consideration, please complete and return the AHAA application before July 23, 2022 deadline. The form can be found here.

Your kind donations have also made the Assam Flood Relief Mission possible. Hundreds of Sikh and other minority families are being provided emergency assistance.

Click Here for a video report on how your dasvandh is helping support families from Punjab and Assam in India to multiple war-hit cities across Ukraine.

UNITED SIKHS Volunteers serving flood victims in Assam

Due to recent floods the situation for people in North East India has become grim and harsh. It's been more than a week our volunteers are compassionately working on ground to assist the flood affected families.

“We travelled over 48 hours from New Delhi to Assam for more than 2000 kms, with medicine, sleeping bags, food and other basic necessities for almost 1500 Sikh families stuck by Assam floods, even in the remotest areas”, said Mohinderjit Singh, Coordinator Assam Flood Relief, UNITED SIKHS.

Hundreds of families had their homes at the edge of a river which overflowed due to the flood. Flooded neighborhoods will take several days to dry out. We have started langar sewa (hot meal distributions) for 71 Sikh families in Chaparmukh and 300 families in Barkhola along with basic necessities like medicines, clothes, sleeping bags, rations etc.

Village Barkala was drowned due to the flood. Sending any help to the village was extremely challenging. People have been starving with no access to food and clean drinking water. Our relief teams sent help to the villagers by distributing food and other critical supplies.

There were a large number of people taking shelter in a government school in the village of Barkhola, near Gurdwara Mata Ji, Chaparmukh, for the past 7-8 days.  We have provided 300 kits of necessary items, including toothpaste, soaps, biscuits, socks, medicine, mosquito coils, milk, oil, spices, lentils etc.

Recently there was a health camp set up in Jagi Road Gurudwara. We are working with a team of doctors for the distribution of medicines and conducting health check-ups for impacted families.

We recently received a request from Alina from a gynecology hospital in West-Central Ukraine. She wanted help with the delivery of medical equipment for the hospital, an epicenter of treatment for women brought in here from different cities nearby for treatment. The request also included aid in restoring parts of the hospital destroyed by the war.

The hospital in Vinnytsia serves critical life-saving needs of thousands of women impacted by the war. Constant missile strikes have destroyed the city and rattled the supplies of basic medical and health facilities for pregnant women and newborns.

Vinnytsia is a city of about 400,000 residents. The hospital in the city is a clinical base for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Vinnytsia. This institution caters to the needs of pregnant women and the complications faced during childbirth along with the diagnosis and treatment of female specific diseases.

Our volunteers drove for 24 hours from Poland to Vinnytsia to respond to this ever-worsening crisis. We cannot do this without your support. Thanks to all the donors and volunteers for making these relief operations possible!

The hospital director, with the head of gynecology at Vinnitsya Hospital. The only hospital in the vicinity, taking care of over 6000 patinets.

Refugees served as part of our humanitarian mission

Over a month ago, bombs and missiles shattered peace in Ukraine. We have all seen the shocking and tragic images of lives uprooted by unabated attacks in Ukraine. Children, women and elderly have not been spared.

More than 10 million people have been displaced inside Ukraine. Over 4 million have left Ukraine as refugees into neighboring countries. Most of the refugees are children and women.

Our teams and volunteers have been on the ground for over a month on the Polish border with Ukraine in Medyka. We set up a base camp to serve the most urgent life saving needs of the refugees.

All of this is made possible by dozens of compassionate and courageous volunteers from around the world who have made their way to our base camp in Medyka to serve the refugees. Many members of our teams based in North America, Europe and Asia have been working day and night to support this humanitarian mission.

We will continue to serve our fellow global community in this grave moment of crisis. Thank you for your belief in our mission and generous support in making this mission possible.

“Due to evacuation orders for eastern and southern areas of Ukraine following a tip that there will be bombs either tonight or tomorrow we are currently experiencing a huge influx of refugees. This is a massive escalation of the crisis and we can use all the money we can get. Medyka border camp is making a huge difference in these peoples’ lives and only with your support we are able to continue this humanitarian service.” – Gyan Singh, one of our latest volunteers from Southern California who arrived at our base camp in Medyka to serve refugees.

We know you will continue to offer support to serve residents of Ukraine displaced by the ongoing tragedy of war. 

Dear Sangat ji,

Our UNITED SIKHS family extends heartiest greetings on the occasion of Vaisakhi this April 14th. Vaisakhi is a confluence of two momentous events in the Sikh calendar. The culmination of the harvest season and the call made in 1699 by the tenth master of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji on the occasion of Vaisakhi in the city of Anandpur, Punjab (northwest India).

In the spirit of Vaisakhi we share messages from our team and volunteers, serving residents of Ukraine whose lives have been uprooted by the tragedy of war.

Learn More About Our Ukraine Mission

UNITED SIKHS Team

Recognize the Human Race as One

“The situation in Kharkiv is like a living hell. There is destruction everywhere. While procuring food and essential supplies, bombs have dropped from the sky a few meters away. It is scary but we are determined to serve the affected residents even more.” - Dr. Nihal Singh, volunteer who is heading our humanitarian efforts in Kharkiv.

Our teams are serving meals and medicines in the city of Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine which has been under heavy attacks and bombardments. Kharkiv was an eclectic and cultural center of Ukraine. Now the city is a pile of ruins.

Dr. Nihal Singh and his team are finding the following items are needed immediately in Kharkiv and other cities in Ukraine.

Basic food supplies

Cooked meals

Hygiene kits

Dental kits

Medicines

Water

Please continue to support this relief mission!

A volunteer delivering relief supplies in Kharkiv captured the devastation right after a bombing 

Over 4 million residents in Ukraine have had to escape war under very dire circumstances in the last 4 weeks. We have been serving thousands of such refugees at our base camp in Medyka, Poland and across the border inside Ukraine.

One such story is of Kulbir Singh, his wife and their infant child.

Kulbir Singh was working as a support manager at a call center on the outskirts of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. He has been in Ukraine for a few years and planning to settle down with his young family until Kyiv came under attack.

He was hoping war would not come to Kyiv. With the first attacks on the capital he went into a bunker with his family. He decided to make his way to the border with his family. 

It was a treacherous journey with frigid temperatures, uncertainty of bomb and missle attacks. Another thing that Kulbir realized quickly was getting access to the most basic things like food and water was very difficult and when there was availability it was very expensive. His family ate only candy bars on their journey to the border.

Eventually after a day-long trek they got close to the border with Poland. 

Kulbir had a feeling that most likely there would be some Sikhs at the border locations serving refugees. His wish came true when he spotted a Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) at Camp Nalwa set up by UNITED SIKHS. 

He saw a UNITED SIKHS volunteer wearing a vest and in his enthusiasm hugged him first from behind. They faced each other and greeted each other with ‘Vaaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaaheguru Ji Ki Fateh’.

Singh had an immediate request. His wife and infant child needed to be fed immediately. The UNITED SIKHS volunteer guided them to our food truck and the heated tent.

Kulbir was very thankful for the sewa (humanitarian service) of UNITED SIKHS. He wanted to stay and help as a volunteer but he wanted to get his wife and 4 month child to safety. He had plans to make his way to Krakow, a southern Poland city near the border of the Czech Republic. UNITED SIKHS connected Kulbir to a local Polish resident who offered his home for an overnight stay in Medyka before they made their way to Krakow.

We last heard from Kulbir after he got to Germany safely with his family. He was very relieved to be out of harm's way. A spirited, humble soul with a warrior spirit who now also wants to volunteer with UNITED SIKHS and drive into Ukraine to provide supplies to where most needed.

Like millions who have escaped Ukraine he is now pondering plans for his family’s future. Singh is trying to find a country in Europe where he can settle to find a job to support his family and build a new future.

We are thankful for your support and appeal for continued humanitarian donations in this moment of crisis to help thousands of refugees like Kulbir and their families.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

With your support, our volunteers are going into Ukraine to help the wounded and sick with life-saving medical supplies. Watch this video update from ground zero..

Two volunteers from Ireland have joined our team. Fergo and his friend in true Irish spirit left their job to serve at our Medyka base camp in Poland. They are building a staircase from the food truck to the kitchen to make it easier for our us to serve thousands of families in need. Thank you so much for your generous donations. With your support our brave volunteers from around the United States and Europe are serving the emergency needs of Ukraine refugees 24/7. As they say, it takes a village...

BBC Ground Report on Ukraine. Watch your donations in action on BBC. Thank you for your continued support!

Dear Sangat ji,

As the biggest humanitarian crisis of the moment unfolds in Ukraine our volunteers from North America and India have made it to the Ukraine border inside Poland. We are setting up multiple base camps in Poland close to the border including Medyka to serve refugees.

The number of refugees outside Ukraine keeps swelling by the day, now over 2 million according to the UN Refugee agency. It is predicted by the UN that the number will exceed 4 Million. Many more are displaced inside Ukraine.

Our volunteers are ready to serve the most urgent needs:

FOOD (anything that can be made available quickly including energy bars)
WATER & ENERGY DRINKS
HYGIENE & SANITATION KITS FOR WOMEN
DENTAL HYGIENE KITS
MEDICATIONS
WARM CLOTHES

Conditions are really dire and made challenging with bitter cold temperatures and snow.

Donations of supplies are also being collected at Gurudwara Sahib in Warsaw, Poland to be then taken by our teams to the border areas to serve refugees.

We are making an urgent appeal for your humanitarian donations in this moment of crisis.

Every dollar gift will help a refugee to have some hope at surviving this tragedy.

UNITED SIKHS volunteers along with representatives from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs receive Afghan Refugees at Mexico City International Airport

Sangat ji, we are pleased to announce after many months of intense legal advocacy by UNITED SIKHS International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy team, we have secured asylum for 141 preselected Afghan minority refugees displaced by the conflict in Afghanistan.

The government of Mexico has agreed to offer asylum to Afghan minority refugees (Sikhs & Hindus) on humanitarian grounds. A pilot batch of Afghan refugees arrived in Mexico City yesterday. In fact the Mexican Consul in Abu Dhabi at the request of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs came to Dubai Airport to receive them, check on them and ensure everything was seamless before their next step of the long journey to Mexico city.

Our team of local volunteers and two representatives from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present to receive and facilitate the arrival formalities for the first group of refugees in Mexico City.

This historic event was only possible with the support of our donors, the dedication of our volunteers and the grace of the almighty.

We are now consistently and actively working to bring the next group of refugees to Mexico. We need your urgent support to make sure all 141 refugees are resettled safely and securely in Mexico.

Your donations will help with the following critical costs:

Travel costs approximately $2000/refugee.
First 3 months living expenses in Mexico
Language & Vocational training
2 Full time Resettlement Liaison officers for supporting new refugees in Mexico.

We know with your support we can undertake this mission to resettle and give these Afghan refugees a chance for a safe and secure future.

We need to raise $500,000 to bring all the 141 Afghan refugees to Mexico in the coming weeks. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of the Afghan Refugee Resettlement Mission.

UNITED SIKHS Begins to Resettle Afghan Sikh & Hindu Refugees.

Afghan refugees who were brought to India from Afghanistan after the #taliban takeover in August 2021 had to leave everything they knew behind.

They had to abandon the only country they knew, the only neighborhood they knew, the only life they knew. About 150 of these refugees came to UNITED SIKHS requesting the organization to arrange for political asylum for them so that they can start their life afresh and be safe and secure.

UNITED SIKHS Legal Advocates have worked diligently to prepare, assist and document the cases and subsequently appealed to several countries to grant asylum.
Out of the global outreach, so far Gobierno de México has agreed.

In the pilot phase, 2 Afghan refugees have departed to Mexico. The journey to a new life has begun. The itinerary is such - from Delhi to Dubai to Barcelona to Mexico.
The UNITED SIKHS team is coordinating with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai to oversee that the arrangements are all taken care of and that there are no difficulties or issues in this journey.

This painstaking work is only possible because of the support of our donors, the dedication of our volunteers and the grace of Waheguru.
We will continue to keep the sangat updated. 

A Hazara family got a visit from the authorities who went through all their belongings including their cellphones. The family made sure to delete all references to their Christian faith. Under threat this family of physicians had to flee Afghanistan immediately. Right now they are in a temporary residence in a neighboring country. 

The family in distress reached out to UNITED SIKHS to provide them with clothing and basic necessities as they were suddenly evacuated from their homes without  any financial support. Watch their story here. Help this family and many others in urgent need of basic necessities and a safer home by making a donation today.

Sikhs have a long history in Afghanistan from the days of Guru Nanak Sahib’s visits to spread the message of universal peace and compassion (see journey graphic below). This 500-year history unfortunately is coming to an end with the last few families seeking refuge for a safer future.

Our teams have been part of the latest chapter of Sikhs in Afghanistan in the capacity of humanitarian missions serving minority communities that have been under constant attacks in recent years.

With your help we have provided:

• Emergency aid to the families of those killed and injured in terrorist attacks.
• Medical aid to combat the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Documentation services to get these communities to safe horizons outside of Afghanistan.
• Paid the processing fee for almost 400 passports for 87 families.
• 24/7 Afghan helpdesk in India for Afghan refugees to help them with immediate needs: medical services, daily essentials, unmet needs and housing-related costs.
• High-level communication with international governments and agencies for permanent relocation of Afghan refugees to rebuild lives in a free and safe environment.
• Food Bank to serve urgent needs of minority communities left in Kabul and Jalalabad.

Our work is not done yet. With your support we will work towards the next safer, healthier and freedom-full chapter in the lives of hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan.

Days after a suicide bomb blast killed at least 19 persons, including 13 prominent Sikh leaders, in Jalalabad of Afghanistan on July 1, 2018 a group of local artists in Kabul paid tribute to the victims by painting a huge mural of one of them, Rawail Singh, with his daughter on the wall of the office of the Kabul Governor. (Express photo)

Afghanistan today is a far cry from the multicultural trade center Guru Nanak Sahib visited five hundred years ago. Over the centuries there have been long periods of peace and harmony. In recent decades pressure on Afghan minorities has increased to convert to Islam or to leave the country. Under the current Taliban rule, life for Afghan minorities is exceedingly difficult, a daily fight to survive. 

Sikh & Hindu homes, businesses and Gurudwaras have become sites of targeted violence in the last few years. Extorted for a so-called religious tax imposed on non-muslims, Sikhs & other minority groups are prohibited from making a stable living. Even when schools were open Sikh children could not go, for fear that their classmates would be forced by adults to cut their sacred hair. 

Under these dire circumstances most Afghan minorities have been forced to leave Afghanistan. UNITED SIKHS teams have worked in bringing hundreds of Afghan Sikhs to safer refuge in the last few years. Currently we are working tirelessly to evacuate the 230 remaining Sikhs & Hindus from Afghanistan, among them 50 women and 50 children. The situation became very dismal when the Sikh Gurudwara where minorities were taking refuge was invaded by armed fighters claiming to be Taliban in October 2021.

UNITED SIKHS legal team is currently sponsoring approximately 35 minority families for humanitarian parole into the United States. These include Sikhs, Hindus, Hazara Muslims and Christians. Our legal team is interviewing refugees, preparing affidavits, and filling applications. We are also reaching out to numerous  countries and working with them to help relocate refugees. In addition, we are writing to United States officials and joining other NGOs in lobbying for a process to allow for expedited processing of Afghan Refugee parole applications. 

 

Based on requests from families in Afghanistan we are opening a food bank to help approximately 55 Sikh, Hindu and other minority families in Kabul and Jalalabad. Services will include food, clothing, medicines and any other requests based on a case by case basis.

Your support has made it possible for us to advocate for the well-being and safety of minorities in Afghanistan since 2009, building a trusted relationship with the community as evidenced in the words of Giani Keval Singh, “UNITED SIKHS has made us realize that we are not alone anywhere in this world.”

Dasvandh Network will double your tax deductible donations upto $400 from Nov. 5th through 14th! Take advantage of this generous matching gift to amplify your impact on the lives of Afghan refugees.

International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan

(Note: Situation is changing every hour. The below information is based as of incidents on 08/25 EST)

Situation in Afghanistan for Afghan minority communities is grave as they try to escape to safety.

Our teams are working with a team of ex-military contractors and the US State department to help approximately 220 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus find their way safely to the international airport in Kabul from Gurudwara Karte Parwan.

Earlier today with assistance from teams on the ground an attempt was made in a caravan of 9 minibuses to make their way to the North Gate of the International Airport which is under the control of the American forces. The initial attempt was unsuccessful due to skirmishes between American forces and the Taliban fighters. The caravan retreated to a temporary safe location. A second attempt was made in late evening and early morning hours to reach the North Gate of the International Airport controlled by the American armed forces. 

The caravan, including dozens of women and children, came under gunfire as it approached the airport. At least one vehicle was hit but thankfully no one was injured. Unfortunately the caravan had to retreat back to Gurudwara Karte Parwan around 2:00am in the morning after 18 grueling hours on the streets of Kabul. 

Throughout this ordeal our teams have been in near constant communication with members of the escaping Afghan community despite spotty signal and phone jammers around the airport.

Our team spoke a few moments ago to a member of the community in Gurudwara Karte Parwan as the new day arrives with another attempt to make it to the airport. In his words, “We are praying and hoping to make it safely to the airport with our women and children. The shabad Guru is our protector. We have gone through hell in the streets of Kabul today. Never knew that a distance of approximately 7 kms will feel like eternity.”

The Taliban leadership has made pronouncements of not allowing Afghan citizens to enter the International airport which adds to the desperate and life threatening situation.

The local community is also in touch with the Indian government and other humanitarian agencies. Our team remains in constant contact with the community in Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Kabul as another attempt is made before the August 31st deadline for evacuation flights from Afghanistan. 

We also want to extend our gratitude to the prominent Afghan Sikh leader, in the US, Mr. Paramjit Singh Bedi based in New York for his assistance with the mission to get them to safety. 

The immediate  objective being to get them inside the international Airport in Kabul to board next available planes to safe confines outside Afghanistan.

Please pray for those trying to find a safe passage and we hope to send you a follow up message reporting of their safe escape.

We appreciate your support for our mission in these grave hours and to assist the continued functioning of our Afghan Helpdesk in New Delhi. You can reach our Helpdesk service for displaced minority communities at +91 98107 90373. E: [email protected]

Thank you for your continued help for our humanitarian mission in Afghanistan.

Sangat ji, please take a moment to view this video message from sevadaar, Gurvinder Singh (International Humanitarian Aid Director, UNITED SIKHS).

Taliban officials visited Gurdwara Sahib Karte Parwan in Kabul on 15th Aug 2021 to collect weapons and a vehicle that was provided by the previous Afghan Government to the Sikh community. 'The Taliban also instructed Afghan Sikhs and Hindus not to go out and to remain within the Karte Parvaan Gurdwara premises,' the President of the Karte Parvaan Gurdwara, Gurnam Singh told Mejindarpal Kaur, International Legal Director of UNITED SIKHS and Gurmeet Singh, Trustee of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, London, UK.

At present about 300 Sikhs and Hindus have left their homes and taken refuge at the Karte Parvaan Gurdwara in Kabul.

Our teams are in touch with families in Kabul on a regular basis that are looking to leave Afghanistan for safer sanctuaries. We are in communication with offices of US President J. Biden, Secretary of State, A. Blinken, Canada’s Minister of Refugees, Immigration & Citizenship, M. E.L. Mendicino, United Kingdom Home Secretary, P. Patel and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, M. Bachelet.

We have a 24 hour Helpdesk service for displaced Afghanistan minority communities (Hindus and Sikhs). 
Please contact UNITED SIKHS India +91 98107 90373 
E: [email protected] 

We will keep you posted on developments from the ground as the situation is rapidly escalating and at times with conflicting reports.

Approximately 300 Hindus and Sikhs have taken shelter at the Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul.

The situation is dire and they are urging UNITED SIKHS that they be immediately evacuated to USA or Canada. They were visited by the Taliban at the Gurudwara. View the video appeal here.

Our emergency response teams are doing their best to assess the situation and provide support to families that need assistance at the shortest of notice, including facilitating their evacuation and settlement in a secure environment.

We are in touch with families and community leaders from Kabul and Jalalabad. There are approximately 200 people in Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Kabul. The situation is dire and messages we are hearing from Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan are highlighting the perilous circumstances and uncertain future in the coming days.

Our teams are in touch with families in Kabul that are trying to leave Afghanistan for safer sanctuaries. We are in communication with US President J. Biden, Secretary of State, A. Blinken, Canada’s Minister of Refugees, Immigration & Citizenship. Minister Mendicino, United Kingdom Home Secretary, P. Patel and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, M. Bachelet. 

We have a 24 hour Helpdesk service for displaced Afghanistan minority communities (Hindus and Sikhs). 

Please contact UNITED SIKHS India +91 98107 90373 

E: [email protected] 

We will keep you posted on developments from the ground as the situation is rapidly escalating and at times with conflicting reports.

 Sangat taking shelter at Gurudwara Sahib Karte Parwan, Kabul, Afghanistan

Dear Supporters,

Given the rapidly developing and changing situation in Afghanistan our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Afghanistan.

As a humanitarian organization that has been actively engaged in the safety and well-being of ethnic minorities of Afghanistan we are trying our best to maintain our focus on the safety of Sikh & Hindu families in Afghanistan.

Our emergency response teams are doing their best to assess the situation and provide support to families that might need assistance at the shortest of notice, which includes facilitating their evacuation and settlement in a secure environment.

URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED

We have a 24 hour Helpdesk service for displaced Afghanistan minority communities (Hindus and Sikhs).
Please contact UNITED SIKHS India +91 98107 90373
Email: [email protected]

Read About Our Ongoing Work With Afghan Refugees in India

We will keep you posted on developments from the ground as the situation is rapidly escalating and at times with conflicting reports.

Support this continued humanitarian mission in Afghanistan.

As India battles a brutal second wave of Covid-19, we are providing a multitude of crisis response services from Delhi to Karnataka to Punjab including:

Oxygen Concentrators: Our teams are going door-to-door to help people in need of oxygen that are unable to find reliable care at home or find a hospital bed
Ventilators: Non-invasive portable ventilators being delivered to hospitals across India
Covid Care Centers: Hundreds of beds are being set up in North and South India equipped with oxygen supplies, medical staff, medications, free meals and counseling
Covid Vaccines: In Delhi, a vaccine clinic has been set up in collaboration with a local NGO and government
Dry Ration Kits: Delivering daily essentials like wheat flour, rice, pulses, sugar and tea supports for a family of 4 for a week
Ambulance Service: Transporting patients with urgent needs to hospitals and Covid care centers, free of cost
Free cremation Services: For families unable to afford cremating their loved ones, our dedicated team of volunteers are picking up bodies from homes and hospitals as there is a huge shortage of ambulances and cremation services. We have cremated over 400 residents of India with dignity.

Your donation helps make all of this possible.

$1200 (Rs 90k) helps support one ambulance service for a month (2 driver fees, petrol, PPE kits, maintenance costs)

$875 (Rs 65k) to purchase one oxygen concentrator

$200 (Rs 15k) helps serve 3 meals a day to 50 patients

$150 (Rs 12k) helps with daily PPE supplies to 20 volunteers per center

$30 (Rs 2.2k) helps supply daily water & juice needs for 50 patients

Please keep your support and donations coming 🙏🏻

UNITED SIKHS India team has prepared handmade beds for farmers at Delhi's Tikri Border which provide protection from snakes and insects. This was done in response to special requests from farmers facing these challenges due to change in weather conditions. We thank our volunteers for their dedicated sewa in serving needs of farmers.

United States Chapter: Empowering Women in Need

On March 14th, our Bay Area team partnered with Narika, an organization founded by immigrant women to serve survivors of domestic violence, single mothers, and women in need. Narika hosted their bi-monthly Food and Essentials Drive-By for their clients with women and children in attendance. We donated school supplies, snacks, personal hygiene items, grocery essentials and gift cards. This effort impacted the lives of over 100 women and children in need. We extend our gratitude to Gurdwara Sahib Fremont for their generous donation towards this initiative.

Kenya Chapter: Medical Sewa in Hospitals 

UNITED SIKHS' Kenya chapter recently provided medicine and medical supplies to Naari Level 4 Sub-County Hospital in Meru. We also donated medical supplies to Cottolengo Mission Hospital’s center for people with disabilities in Chaaria. The center is currently home to 50 boys who are abandoned by their families, each one with a different disability. The Hospital’s Director, Brother Giam Carlos, appealed to UNITED SIKHS to continue  assisting as it was vital in running and operating the center.

Serving Afghan Refugees 1 year after Kabul attack

A year after 25 Afghan Sikhs were killed in the Kabul gurudwara attack on March 25th last year, our India team paid tribute to the deceased and honoured the surviving families in New Delhi - Click to read the full article by The Indian Express

As thousands of these farmers are in the capital of Delhi to engage in talks with the central government and exercise their fundamental democratic right to peaceful assembly, our teams and volunteers have been on the ground to serve urgent life affirming needs.

We have over 150 volunteers doing seva at the Singhu, Tikri, Gazipur and Shahjahanpur borders of Delhi.

The following services have been identified as part of this engagement:

1) Medical Care: Ambulance Services, Health Monitoring, Injury Care, Mental Health Services and Physiotherapy. We have set up medical camps and ambulance services at 4 border locations. Our teams have arranged for 24/7 emergency service for everyone taking part in this long arduous fight for justice. Daily we have 45-50 doctors volunteering their services at the medical camps.

2) Water Services: Drinking, Cooking, Washing and Bathing Clean water is a major necessity among the protesting farmers. We are filling this critical need at the request of farmers in India’s capital in support of their demands for justice and economic security. We have provided over 100,000 liters/day of water to date.

3) Extreme Winter Weather-Wear: Jackets, Sweaters, Thermals, Mufflers, Socks and Raincoats Hundreds of these items have been distributed in harsh winter conditions especially to the elderly who are playing a pivotal role in this movement for economic justice.

4) Daily Necessities: Portable Toilets, Water Heaters, Washing Machines, Shoes, Slippers, Undergarments, Dustbins, 5) Housing Needs: Tents, Tarpals (tarpaulins), Mattresses, Blankets, Sleeping Bags #farmersprotest #standwithfarmers #farmbills

This seva and the financial assistance to the families of farmers that have lost loved ones in these peaceful protests, all this work is only possible with your support. Please continue to support these relief efforts with your contributions ji.

SPECIAL FEATURE: A short documentary feature highlighting the extraordinary conditions in which farmers are protesting for their rights in India. Watch it on YouTube

Sangat ji, with your support 13 of these families have already been provided 50,000 rupees in financial aid for the loss of their loved ones in the ongoing farmers sangharsh. Over 60 people have lost their lives in this movement. Your support will help us continue to offer much-needed help to their grieving families. 

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ 

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ
ਅੱਜ ਸਾਡੀ ਟੀਮ ਧਨੋਲਾ ਜਿਲਾ-ਬਰਨਾਲਾ ਕਿਸਾਨੀ ਸ਼ੰਘਰਸ ‘ਚ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਜਨਕਰਾਜ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਦੁੱਖ ਸਾਝਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਆਈ,ਜਨਕਰਾਜ ਜੀ ਜਿਸ ਕਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਸੋ ਰਹੇ ਸੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਸੋਟ-ਸਰਕਟ ਕਾਰਨ ਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਲੱਗ ਗਈ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਜਨਕਰਾਜ ਜੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਸੜ ਗਏ ਸੀ। ਸਾਡੀ ਟੀਮ ਵੱਲੋ ਜਿਥੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਸਾਝਾ ਕਿਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ 50,000/-ਦੀ ਰਾਸ਼ੀ ਵੀ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਦਿਤੀ।

Watch this update on Facebook

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ
ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਵਲੋਂ ਚੱਲ ਰਹੇ ਕਿਸਾਨੀ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦਾਂ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਕਰੋੜ ਦੀ ਰਾਸ਼ੀ ਦਾ ਐਲਾਨ ||
UNITED SIKHS Announces An Allocation Of 1 Crore For The Families Of Those Who Have Lost Thier Lives Amidst The Ongoing Farmers Agitation

Message from one of our compassionate and kind hearted volunteers on the ground in Delhi offering medical care to farmers from across India. Watch this update on Facebook.

Watch this video update on Facebook

ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਦੀ ਟੀਮ ਅੱਜ ਰਾਤ ਬਹਾਦਰਗੜ ਰੋਡ ਟੀਕਰੀ ਬਾਰਡਰ ਤੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੋਈ ਇਸ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਦੇ ਪੈਰ ਤੇ ਕੱਟ ਲੱਗ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਜ਼ਖਮ ਖਰਾਬ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ। ਵਲੰਟੀਅਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਬਾਪੂ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਜ਼ਖਮ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਫ ਕੀਤਾ ਦਵਾਈ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਪੱਟੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਦਰਦ ਤੋਂ ਗੋਲੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ। ਜਦੋਂ ਵਲੰਟੀਅਰ ਚੱਲਣ ਲਗੇ ਤਾਂ ਬਾਪੂ ਜੀ ਕਾਫ਼ੀ ਰਾਹਤ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਸਨ। ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਦੇ ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਇਸ ਮੋਰਚੇ ਵਿਚ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਦਿਨ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਲ ਖੜੇ ਹਨ। ਆਓ ਆਪਾਂ ਵੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਬਣਦਾ ਸਰਦਾ ਸਹਿਯੋਗ ਪਾਈਏ। 

Here's how you're helping the farmers in their fight for survival...

Watch this video update on Facebook

Watch this video update on YouTube

ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਿਲ
24ਘੰਟੇ ਐਮਰਜੈਂਸੀ ਵੈਨ ਸੇਵਾ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਗਏ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।ਸਾਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਸਹਿਯੋਗ ਦੇਂਦੇ ਰਹੋ।

We are offering Langar (meals, water), Medical Services (Urgent care, ambulatory support, medications) and PPE needs (Masks, sanitizers) needed during this challenging time. Volunteer teams of professionals and doctors are available from Punjab and Delhi throughout this march. Our legal teams are also ready to serve with any anticipated needs in the coming days.

ਕਿਸਾਨ ਭਰਾ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਗਏ ਨੇ ।। ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਦੀ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਟੀਮ ਵਲੋਂ ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਤੇ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ।।

UNITED SIKHS team is on the ground at Burari, Delhi to greet the first batch of farmers who have arrived.

Watch this Facebook live video and stay tuned to our FB page.

Jaspreet Singh and Gurpreet Singh from Sunam (Punjab), on their way to Delhi towards protest against the new agri-reform laws, met with an accident.
UNITED SIKHS' emergency response team immediately took them to the nearest Government in Narwana, District Jind. They were given emergency treatment and are out of danger and are still in the hospital getting their treatment.
ਜਸਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਕਿ ਸੁਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਹਨ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਮੁੱਦੇ ਤੇ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਸੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਐਕਸੀਡੈਂਟ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ।ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਦੀ ਟੀਮ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਮੇਂ ਸਿਰ ਹਸਪਤਾਲ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਹੁਣ ਖਤਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਹਨ।
Support the Farmers:
https://www.dvnetwork.org/fundraisers/save-our-farmers

View this update and other real-time updates related to this mission on Facebook

Watch this video on Facebook

The struggle for farmers in Punjab and India continues. Multiple teams of UNITED SIKHS are actively engaged in Punjab to ensure that the farmers are supported in the fight for their survival.
We need your support: https://www.dvnetwork.org/fundraisers/save-our-farmers
ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬਿੱਲ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਉਹ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਲਈ ਕਿੰਨ੍ਹਾ ਘਾਤਕ ਸਿੱਧ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਵੇਰਵਾ ਯੂਨਾਈਟਿਡ ਸਿੱਖਸ ਦੇ CEO ਜਗਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਇਸ ਲਿੰਕ ਤੇ ਵੇਖੋ ਜੀ

Amarpreet Singh quit his job as the vice president of a small startup company in September 2019 so he could focus all of his efforts on volunteer work indefinitely.

The Bay Area resident is the Northern California Area Coordinator for UNITED SIKHS. Listen to his story in his own words through the link below:

The story of a Sikh volunteer who quit his job for seva

Read a news report about his seva: https://www.sanjoseinside.com/news/united-sikhs-help-fire-evacuees/

COVID-19 PANDEMIC GLOBAL RELIEF EFFORTS

The unprecedented global tragedy of Covid-19 has led to the most expansive relief efforts since the founding of UNITED SIKHS in 1997. It started with a request from the New York Office of Emergency Management in March to deliver over 30,000 meals in New York City as the pandemic cast its dark shadow on this global city. We set up an emergency hotline in North America to serve the needs of the most vulnerable from frontline workers, homeless, elderly, poor and at-risk individuals. 

We expanded our efforts globally to serve communities from the US to Europe, Australia, Asia and India. Hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life have stepped forward to serve. Generous donors have provided funds and grocery supplies to make our work possible. We are committed to offer basic life affirming needs of countless impacted around the globe by this pandemic. The infographic below represents the scope of these humanitarian efforts.

US CENSUS 2020 - GETTING EVERY SIKH COUNTED

2020 is a landmark year for Sikhs and the Census. After extensive research, demand and lobbying over the past decade by our legal teams; the Census Bureau has made considerable updates to the race and ethnicity code list. For the first time in United States history the US Census included “Sikh” as a population group within the Asian racial category. With this opportunity to be heard, Sikhs living in the United States now have an opportunity to advocate for their own communities by simply being counted.

SAVE AFGHAN MINORITIES CAMPAIGN

The safety and security of the Afghan Sikhs and Hindu families are paramount amidst terrorist attacks. The Department of State and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom have documented systemic discrimination against Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan. UNITED SIKHS has been advocating for and serving Afghan minorities for many years. 

UNITED SIKHS has been providing the following critical services:

Relocation of families to safe areas.
Families of those lost and injured have been provided assistance. 
Avenues for Immigration documentation to allow for resettlement being pursued and the necessary resources to obtain such documentation have been put in place. 
Permanent migration to India and Canada. Housing and job assistance.

PROJECT RAAHAT: PUNJAB FLOOD RELIEF 

In August 2019, following heavy rains and the release of 

excess water from the Bhakra Dam, the Sutlej River and its 

tributaries had inundated villages in several areas of Punjab 

(Northwest India), causing extensive damage to crops, 

especially paddy, and homes in low-lying areas. The floods 

said to be the worst since 1988 led to cumulative loss estimated at Rs 1,219.23 crore (12 Billion USD) by government officials.

UNITED SIKHS offered the following relief services in the next few weeks:

Dry ration kits for residents
Cattle feed for farmers
Home repair, household necessities and provisions 
Medical camps and Medicine supplies  
Road repair and flood control

KERALA FLOOD RELIEF: EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Following the worst flood Kerala has experienced in the last century, UNITED SIKHS crossed          through floodwaters and harsh landscape conditions to provide medicine and health check-ups to more than 100 residents on Wayanad tribal land. To ensure adequate nutrition post-disaster, the organization serves hot meals to local residents daily and continues to donate dry food supplies and other household items. We also set up a medical camp on water to reach remote villages. 

HURRICANE MARIA: AID IN PUERTO RICO 

Immediately following Hurricane Maria, the UNITED SIKHS Disaster team mobilized in the most remote areas of Puerto Rico. Coordinating efforts with FEMA, Red Cross, and the Coalition of Hope, our team cooked and delivered thousands of hot meals and delivered aid supplies to the elderly and children. 

UNITED SIKHS worked with the leading organizations from the San Juan headquarters and reached the rural communities in the Puerto Rican countryside.

UNITED SIKHS offered following relief supplies:

Over 150,000 Meals served
10,000+ Medical Supplies delivered
Rebuilding of 250 plus homes

FEED THE HUNGRY: GURU NANAK’S FREE KITCHEN & FOOD DRIVE

Through Guru Nanak's Kitchen and Food Drive For All, a year-round program we launched to end hunger in the communities in which we live, our volunteers in Malaysia, Australia and the United Kingdom, and United States are constantly hard at work, serving thousands in need every month. This program has received honors from dignitaries around the world for exemplary community service.

INDONESIA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF: SERVING FAMILIES 

Donggala region in Indonesia was struck by a series of devastating earthquakes, a tsunami and volcanic eruption in 2018. We started serving daily lunch and dinner meals to hundreds of families impacted by the disasters. To help children maintain their education, we donated school supplies, books and stationary. Local families, who are predominantly Muslim, were singing, praying and cooking langar with our volunteers and learning about the values of Sikhi for the first time.

PROJECT DAAL ROTI: SUICIDE PREVENTION & STIPEND PROVISIONS

To help provide support to those at a higher risk of suicide in India, UNITED SIKHS launched the Daal Roti and Farmer Widows Pension programs in 2018, which provide basic household needs, food rations, monthly stipends and mental health counseling. More than a third of the female suicides around the world are committed by Indian women. It is the leading cause of death among young Indian women (15 - 29 years of age). These statistics, coupled with the more than 300,000 farmers and farm worker suicides since 1995, point to an alarming public health crisis across the country. UNITED SIKHS started providing basic food basic (Daal Roti) on a daily basis to impacted families. To further help curb farmer suicide statistics, the organization started providing mental health counseling and monthly rations. 

SHILLONG LEGAL & HUMANITARIAN AID: SIKH COMMUNITY UNDER ATTACK 

To defend freedom of religion, our legal team continues to advocate for the land rights on behalf of the Sikh community in Punjabi Lane, who are being forced from the place they have called home for centuries. Faced with mob violence, illegal imprisonment of minorities, protests and attacks against Sikh homes and businesses, our advocates have successfully argued for the release of three young Sikh men who were unlawfully detained by local police during disturbances in summer of 2018. We provided the meals and shelter to 350 affected families along with legal aid for 3 Sikh youths unlawfully detained due to false reports of violence.

ROHINGYA REFUGEE CRISIS: CONTINUING MAN-MADE DISASTER
In collaboration with the United Nations Shelter Cluster, UNITED SIKHS is committed to provide necessary support to the 10,000 refugees who have found safe haven in Naikhogchari, Bangladesh, near the border of Myanmar. The stateless Rohingya minority in Myanmar have been described by the United Nations as “the most persecuted people in the world.” The vast majority of Rohingya refugees reaching Bangladesh during this latest crisis are women and children, including newborn babies. Many others are elderly people requiring additional aid and protection. Our teams were able to provide the following relief services:

:

Meals Served: 1.05 Million 
Medical Camps: 36,000+ Patients Treated  
Medical Aid Provided: 2,000+ patients 
Health Counselor Program Outreach: 50,000 Refugees 
More than 50 Workshops conducted

TEXAS DEPUTY SANDEEP SINGH DHALIWAL H.E.R.O. FUND

The HERO Fund was established by UNITED SIKHS in honor of Deputy Sheriff Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, in keeping in line with his vision to help first-responders who are affected in the line of duty and in urgent need of emergency funds. A devoted husband and proud father to three young children, Deputy Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran of Harris County Sheriff’s Office who served as Director of Homeland Security for UNITED SIKHS. He was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop on Sept. 27, 2019. He proudly served Harris County, Texas, his country and the world as a public servant and humanitarian. In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, he led teams of UNITED SIKHS volunteers to provide disaster relief to those in need across Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Any first-responder (Police Officer, Sheriff, Paramedic/EMT, and Firefighter) who is in need of emergency assistance may apply for the HERO Fund. First-responders are among the first personnel to arrive in response to an emergency situation, such as a disaster or accident. Funds can be used for medical expenses, house repair after a natural disaster (i.e. hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, etc.) or to help cover funeral costs for a family of a first-responder who was killed in the line of duty. As the first recipients of the newly-formed HERO Fund, Deputy Dhaliwal’s family received $1 million from UNITED SIKHS after people around the world contributed to this cause. 

TESTIMONIALS 
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“We are grateful.  Such acts of care, kindness and generosity make this fight against COVID-19 easier to manage.  United Sikhs Organization maybe feeding the bodies of these heroes and more importantly they are fueling their souls and morale. We are grateful.” 

    - Kirk Tamaddon, Chief of Staff, Kaiser Permanentte, West Los Angeles

“I want to thank the United Sikhs for allowing communities to transcend culture. We are one in the human race. The meals were prepared with love, kindness and compassion.” 

    - K. Monique Ullah, CEO/Founder of Girls Set the Ground Rules, Richmond Hill, NY

“One of our staff members overheard a child exclaim with glee ‘Yay, hot lunch!’ Your generosity is felt throughout the shelter, even among the children.” 

    - Stephanie Salgado, Community Resource Manager, Family Supportive Housing, San Jose, CA

“We stand by our four pillars of service, dedication, diversity, innovation and integrity. All of which UNITED SIKHS encompassed in their service to our families.” 

     - Flore Peralte-Moise, Recreation Coordinator, CAMBA/ The Landing Family Center, East Elmhurst, NY

“We are so very grateful for all your efforts in supporting not only the healthcare workers, but also the whole community through all your generous donations of meals and food pantries.” 

     - The clinicians and staff of Priority One Home Health and Hospice, Montclair, CA

“You have made a real difference in the lives of homeless youth we serve.” 

     - Nabijah H. Shabazz, Volunteer Manager, Covenant House, Newark, NJ

“Generous organizations like, UNITED SIKHS are the reason our mission-driven health centers continue to operate in vulnerable communities who are struggling the most right now during this global pandemic.” 

     - Lori N. Holeman, CEO, Community Health Systems, Inc., Moreno valley, CA

“We rely on the generosity of donors like UNITED SIKHS and are grateful for its support for our work.” 

     - Gillian Charleau, Executive Director, People’s Path Inc. - Helping the Homeless through Housing, Staten        Island, NY

“Thank you for your generous donation of delicious vegetarian meals to the men, women and youth who are struggling to recover from addiction, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and poverty.” 

      - Terenna V. Williams, Executive Director, Glory House Recovery Inc., Hempstead, NY

Hundreds of Sikhs across America have joined us to host donation drives to support ground relief efforts assisting thousands of residents of all faiths throughout the coastal regions of North Carolina and Florida hit by the worst storm and flooding in a generation. Sangats across Chicago, Washington, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina raised more than $5,000 in cash donations and food supply. Immediately following the storms, we partnered with local Baptist churches, schools food banks and other faith-based organizations, including SikhLEAD, The Khalsa School, YMCA and American Red Cross, to provide essential resources, such as bottled water, warm meals, baby formula, clothing, blankets, diapers, flashlights and canned food supply. Through this effort, more than 1,000 families have received aid in areas most affected by food supply shortages and power outages.

UNITED SIKHS Volunteers Prepare For Daily Langar Food Service

Langar is saving lives in Donggala, Indonesia. After a series of devastating earthquakes, a tsunami and volcanic erpution this fall, we started feeding 1,000+ families through daily lunch and dinner, as well as food ration supply. Rows of tents now stand where homes and schools were swept away during the disasters. To help children maintain their education, we're also donating school supplies, books and stationary. Local families, who are predominately Muslim, are singing, praying and cooking langar with our volunteers and learning about the values of Sikhi for the first time! 

Through the Puerto Rico mission, UNITED SIKHS Disaster Relief Ground Team, in coordination with FEMA and local strategic partners, reached the island within days following Hurricane Maria. Through sheer determination, our team members worked to restore damaged water pumps in the Utuado and Lares region serving over 60,000 families. Simultaneously, our teams served fresh, hot-cooked meals reaching over 20,000 Puerto Ricans in the most remote areas and mountainous regions during the months of October and November. Subsequently, UNITED SIKHS also shipped five 40’ containers packed full of humanitarian aid with over 50,000 water bottles, over 50 pallets of relief supplies (batteries, diapers, cleaning supplies, canned foods, etc) and over 100 ‘Sawyer’ water filtration kits.

Undoubtedly, these are significant results which have been recorded and recognized by FEMA and our strategic partners in and around the region. All of us at UNITED SIKHS are truly humbled that our volunteers empower themselves to work hard as they selflessly carry the Guru's message wherever they go and shine a light into the darkest corners of the earth.