Bole so nihal! Sat Siri Akal! – A shout of joy, popularized by Guru Gobind Singh which means, “Anyone who hears this news will be blessed! Truth (The Truthful One) is undying!”
Within three days of 9-11 Bill Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association mobilized USA UUs into activism on behalf of USA Sikhs and USA Muslims fighting against the flood of hate crimes and anti-Muslim backlash. UU communities sponsored educational forums and participated in Gurdwara Open-Houses all over the country.
September 14, 2001:
An Open Letter from the Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Dear Friends,
As this week has unfolded, my fear that Arab and Muslim individuals and communities would be attacked has sadly come to pass. Let me re-state my call to Unitarian Universalist communities to reach out and stand with our Arab and Muslim sisters and brothers who lament the terrorists acts of this Tuesday and grieve with us the losses.
Let me also encourage our congregations to reach out to Sikh communities in this country. Though the Sikh community is not Muslim, they too are at risk of being blamed for this tragedy.
Our task as people of faith is to be present to our grief and fear, but not to respond with anger. We must seek justice and, as our President says, to punish those responsible. But retribution will not create safety, nor move us toward justice.
Yours in faith and hope,
William G. Sinkford
1 Comment
March 15, 2008 at 6:12 pm
1) Satt Kartaar
2) Jo Bolay So Nihaal Satt Sri Akaal
3) Waheguru jee ka Khalsa Waheguru jee kee
Fateh
We Sikhs Pray and Salute Akaal Purkh – God