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Inside

Issue 8 2012 Y O U R C O N N E C T I O N T O G N F A

Sandesa sMdysw

From the Chair’s desk 2

Hate Crime Resources 3

Gurmat Sangeet 4

Submitted Article 14

Education Report 16

Audit Report 2011 18

My First Sikh Book 33

Vigil Pictures 35

Guru Nanak Foundation of America

Over 600 plus attended the August Vigils to show their support for the Wisconsin

victims. In attendance, local and state officials came together to grieve and assure

the Sikh community is not alone. Maryland leaders from Muslim, Christian, Jew-

ish, and Hindu organizations also attended and expressed their deepest support.

Vigil pictures continued on page 35

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From the desk of the Chairwomen

2

Sandesa sMdysw

Sandesa is published quarterly by

Guru Nanak Foundation of America,12917 Old Columbia Pike Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904‘

e-mail : newsgnfa@gmail.com

Dear Sadh Sangat ji,

I am truly honored to have been asked to serve as the GNFA chairperson by sadh

sangat. I am grateful for the undaunting support of the sadh sangat and GNFA

board of trusties. We as the GNFA family will continue to make progress in the

incoming year to strengthen our Gurdwara's financial position and support the

capital project committee in their endeavor to obtain a construction permit to

build a new Gurdwara sahib building. We will support wide variety of youth pro-

grams to keep our youth connected to Gurdwara Sahib. GNFA management com-

mittee will work vigorously to expand membership and other programs to keep

all sadh sangat connected to GNFA in keeping with our Sikh traditions. I look

forward to working with you all as we move forward together, and I hope to have

your support.

Yours sincerely,

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa waheguru ji fateh

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What is a Hate Crime?

A hate crime is a criminal act directed at an individual or group because of membership in a particular racial,

religious, ethic or gender group. Vandalism to a house of worship, assault on an individual, or a bombing of a

building - each may be a hate crime - if it meets any of the following criteria:

When racial, religious or ethnic statements are made during the incident.

When hate group symbols are displayed.

When the motive of a crime is to harm, injure or intimidate a particular group or organization.

When the victim perceives it to be a hate crime.

What federal laws protect me from hate crimes?

Federal law addresses hate crimes primarily through civil rights statutes and includes the follow-

ing: Conspiracy Against Rights - Makes it illegal for two or more people to conspire to injure, threaten or

intimidate someone in the exercise of any right provided by the U.S. Constitution.

Prevention of Intimidation - Addresses of intimidation based on race and ethnicity in housing or the exer-

cise of certain federally protected rights.

In addition, federal law provides for increased sentences where a defendant selects a victim because of

race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability or sexual orientation. When a hate crime

results in bodily injury or fire is used the crime is a felony, and a capital crime if death results.

What are Maryland's hate crime laws and how can they protect me?

Maryland law addresses hate crime specifically through Article 27 470A - Religious and Ethnic Crimes. Most

violent crime is prosecuted by the State.

It is illegal in Maryland, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment, for any person to vandalize or attempt to van-

dalize any religious property or to interfere by force or threat of force with any person in the exercise of their

religious beliefs.

It is also forbidden to damage, destroy, burn or otherwise vandalize the property of a person or an institution

because of their race or beliefs, or to harass or commit a crime against any person because of their "race, color,

religious beliefs or national origin." The statute also provides an extra sentencing enhancement for those crimes

motivated by hate.

Hate Crime Resources

...Continued on Page 11

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Sikh Youth Embrace Gurmat Sangeet

The Washington Capital Sikh Youth Kirtan Sammelan, held annually at Guru Nanak

Foundation of America (GNFA), Silver Spring, on the Memorial Day weekend, has be-

come a much beloved and anticipated event. The eighth sammelan, held on May 26

was well-attended by participants and listeners from several gurdwaras. Twenty eight

jathas consisting of nearly 100 youth, ranging in age from five to twenty-five, inspired

the sangat with their dedication to Gurmat Sangeet.

The institutions represented were Anhad Bani of York, Pennsylvania; Blue Moun-

tain Gurdwara of Pennsylvania; Guru Angad Institute of Sikh Studies (GAISS) of Ster-

ling, Virginia; GNFA; Sikh Gurdwara of Northern Virginia, Raag Rattan Jatha of Mary-

land, Sri Harmandir Sahib Academy of Maryland and Washington Sikh Center of Mar-

yland.

There were two categories at the sammelan organized by the dharmik committee of

GNFA -- competing and non-competing. The competition section had three age groups:

Juniors (7-10 yrs.), Intermediate (11-14 yrs.) and Seniors (15-18 yrs.). Each jatha had

12 minutes to perform and the judging criteria were rigorous. All age groups were re-

quired to sing a shabad in its nirdharit raag, that is, the raag in which it was composed

by our guru sahibaan. The melodious notes of raags Bilaval, Asavari, Sarang, Basant,

Dhanasree, Tukhari, Todi, Kanada, Kalyan, Tilang, Jaijawanti, Maajh, Jaitsri, Bihagda,

Gauri, Sorath and Soohi, induced feelings of deep devotion in the sangat.

In each age group, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were awarded. In addition, an outstanding

achievement award was presented to one jatha from each age group in recognition of

their accomplishment in advanced areas of Gurmat Sangeet, among them, playing the

complex tanti saaz.

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Issue 8 2012

Results:

Juniors Jathas (7-10 years)

Outstanding Achievement Award and First Place:

Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Satkaran Kaur Khanuja, Tahra Kaur Khanuja,

Nihal Singh Khurana, Kiran Kaur and Bhavneet Singh Sanghera.

Second Place:

Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Sukhmani Kaur, Preeta Kaur, Harsobha Kaur, Seetal

Kaur and Gurdas Singh

Third Place:

Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Simar Kaur, Nimrit Kaur, Kabir Singh, Kiran Kaur

and Nihal Singh Khurana

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Intermediate Jathas (11-14 yrs.)

First Place

Washington Sikh Center and Guru Angad Institue of Sikh Studies: Sajjan Singh Bawa,

Jeevan Singh Bawa, Kiran Kaur and Saminder Singh Dhindsa

Outstanding Achievement Award and Second Place

Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Gurbani Kaur Jolly, Jaskiran Kaur, Jasneer Kaur

and Nihal Singh Khurana

Third Place:

Sikh Gurdwara of Northern Virginia: Gurjot Kaur, Kuljit Singh, Mohmeet Singh,

Simran Kaur and Karandeep Singh

Senior Jathas (15-18 yrs.)

Outstanding Achievement Award and First Place:

Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Prabhleen Kaur Aneja, Prableen Kaur Choudhary,

Nimarta Kaur Choudhary, Prabhleen Kaur, Japji Kaur Bindra, Hargeet Kaur and Gurleen

Kaur

Second Place:

Blue Mountain Gurdwara, Pennsylvania: Rasleen Kaur, Ranjyot Kaur Longia, Sukhmani

Kaur and Teg Partap Singh.

Third Place :

Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Japjyot Singh, Rabir Singh, Sehej Singh, Jaskeerat

Kaur and Amolak Singh

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The sammelan provided many memorable moments. Some especially striking ones

were:

Taaran Kaur, age 5, singing beautifully and confidently while her mother pumped the har-

monium for her and her father accompanied her on tabla.

All the tanti saaz (stringed instruments ) including dilruba, rabab, saranda, sarangi and taus

being played, as well as the traditional percussion, jori from the time of our guru sahibaan.

Kirtan by S.Harbhajan Singh ji of Florida. Son of the legendary Bhai Samund Singh ji, he

has worked tirelessly to preserve the rich legacy of his father, sharing Bhai Samund Singh

ji’s priceless compositions with the sangat in his mellifluous voice and shabad-pradhan kir-

tan. He was ably accompanied on vocals by his wife, Sardarni Indu Raj Kaur and on tabla

by his son, Mandeep Singh. Three generations of the family participated in the sammelan,

including Bhai Samund Singh ji’s great grand daughters, Preeta Kaur and Harsobha Kaur.

A central role in the success of the sammelan was played by the hazoori ragis of GNFA.

Bhai Jagmohan Singh ji, Bhai Harmohan Singh ji and Bhai Harvinder Singh ji, tirelessly and

selflessly trained 45 youth for the sammelan. Our community is indebted to them for their

contribution in inculcating a love for Gurmat Sangeet in our youth.

This kirtan sammelan has been archived on: www.passionfortruthtv.com.

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Sandesa sMdysw

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Outstanding Exemplary Excellent Participation

Group 1 (4-6 yrs) Jastej Singh (10 pauries)

Piya Kaur Harsimar Singh Harbani Kaur

Sanjam Mehta (8 pauries)

Kabir Singh Kavi Singh Karina Kaur

Ansh Singh Nimrat Kaur Ahuja Prabhangad Singh

Ishpreet Singh

Group 2 (7-9 yrs) Amrita K. Sawhney Tudhjot Kaur Simarna Kaur Arun Singh

Seetal Kaur Mani Kaur Bani Kaur

Harsimran Kaur Dasuni Kauru

Mohan Singh Prabhsimran Singh

Manmeet Singh

Group 3 (10-12 yrs)

Amrita Kaur Jaskeerat Kaur Preetaman Virk

Ripudaman Virk

Group 4 (13-15 yrs)

Navneet Kaur Gurleen Kaur Ajuni Kaur

JAAP SAHIB RECITAL RESULTS

January 2, GNFA

Congratulations and keep up the good work!

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Issue 8 2012

I think I am a victim of a hate crime. What can I do?

Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency or human relations commission. Even if you do not have any information on the suspects or there is no physical injury or property damage, your report will serve as important investigative information if a future incident were to occur.

Do not destroy any evidence related to the crime. Keep all letters and answering machine

tapes. Do not clean up any vandalism until the police arrive. Get help - your local victim assistance agencies and human relations commissions are here to

help you. If you are a student, also report the crime to school administration.

Hate Crimes Hotline If you do not know who your local victim service providers are or you need to reach your local hu-

man rights enforcement agency, contact the Maryland Hate Crimes Hotline at: 1-800-637-6247

Provided by the Maryland Commission on Human Relations.

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Sandesa sMdysw

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If you or anyone you know who may be interested, please contact

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www.gnfa.org 13

Issue 8 June 2012

www.gnfa.org 14

Sandesa sMdysw

Importance of Women in Sikh Religion

by Dr. Himmat S. Chadda, P.E.

Equality of women was started by Guru Nanak and was carried out by the succeeding nine Gurus. From the beginning of the Sikh

religion, women have contributed immensely to the welfare of the community. During the period of the ten gurus, women

played a very important role in spreading the universality of the Sikh religion, and took an active

art in social, spiritual and political fields. The contributions of some of the women are described below:

A. Bebe Nanaki – A Unique Brother-Sister Relationship

Guru Nanak‘s elder sister, Bebe Nanaki, played a very important role in taking take care of her sister-in-law when Guru Nanak was

on extended tours. She encouraged her brother to use a musical instrument. She provided him with a beautiful musical instrument

called the rebab to recite hymns. She mentally prepared Mardana, a Muslim, to stay with guru Nanak. This way Bebe Nanaki helped her brother directly in spreading the equality and universality of the Sikh

religion to which Guru Nanak was dedicated.

The brother-sister relationship was so intense that even today the following three values are deeply ingrained in day- o-day living

between brother and sister.

to help each other

to respect each other’s feelings

to sacrifice for each other

Mata Khivi – A Pillar of Community Service

Mata Khivi, wife of the second Guru, Guru Angad Dev, was in charge of the community kitchen (langar). Food was served every-

day and it was open to all, irrespective of caste, gender, rich-poor, etc. The tradition of serving langar is being continued even today

in all gurdwaras. Langar, besides providing food, also establishes a bond of equality and cooperation. It also helps in feeding

the poor and destitute. If all religions started a langar service, hunger problems would be considerably reduced in the world.

B. Bibi Bhani – A Unique Personality

Bibi Bhani has a very distinct place in Sikh history. Bibi is a word that is used as respect to a daughter. Bibi Bhani had a direct re-

lationship with eight of the ten Gurus. Bibi Bhani was:

daughter of the third Guru, Guru Amar Das

wife of the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das

mother of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev

grandmother of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh

great-great grandmother of the seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai

great-great-great grandmother of the eight Guru, Guru Har Krishan

great-grandmother of the ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur

great-great grandmother of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh

C. Bibi Bhani’s Two Great Contributions to Humanity

a. Abolition of difference between son and daughter

Bibi Bhani used to take care of her father, Guru Ram Das, and proved the point that there is no difference between a son and daugh-

ter. If we treat sons and daughters as equals, there will be no more gender discrimination in the world.

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Issue 8 2012

b. Composure during Adversity

When her son, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev was arrested by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and tortured to death, Bibi Bhani did not

lose her composure and did not let her daughter-in-law lose her heart. The martyrdom of her son prepared her to teac her seven-year-old grandson, Guru Hargobind, to abide by God‘s Will. Bibi Bhani was an embodiment of service, truth, mod-

esty, endurance and uniqueness of character.

D. Mai Bhago – A Brave Woman

During Guru Gobind Singh‘s time, women took a more active part in fighting against the atrocities committed by the Muslim rulers. Mai Bhago, a very forceful woman, brought all 40 Sikhs who had deserted Guru Gobind Singh, under her control. She

was bringing them for a pardon from the Guru. The Mughal army attacked them and all 40 died while fighting. On hearing this, Guru

Gobind Singh rushed to the battlefield, pardoned all of them and tore up the disclaimer written earlier on their de- sertion.

E. Mata Sundari – A Great Organizer.0

Mata Sundari, wife of Guru Gobind Singh, was a most significant personality. She lived 39 years after the death of Guru Go- bind Singh,

who passed away in 1708. She lived 80 years and died in 1747.She was the woman who led all Sikhs immedi- ately after the death of

Guru Gobind Singh. Mata Sundari very amicably resolved disputes between factions of Sikhs. For ex- ample, when soldiers of Banda

Singh Bahadur and Sikhs of Punjab were going to destroy each other, she resolved the dispute. Mata Sundari convinced Bhai Mani Singh

to establish a school in Amritsar for interpreting the teachings of the Gurus. She was very wise, bold and patient woman who kept Sikhs

united for the propagation of the Sikh religion.

F. Roop Kaur – First Woman Editor

The first woman editor in the Gurus‘ family was Roop Kaur, daughter of Guru Har Rai. She compiled 32 books for the spread

of the universality of the Sikh religion and was the first woman to hold such a position.

G. Noor Shah – Preacher of the Sikh Religion

Guru Nanak met Noor Shah, a Muslim woman and convinced her to leave evil ways and perform good deeds. She accepted the teachings

of Guru Nanak. She was so devoted that the Guru made her the main preacher in Assam, India. She carried out the duties prescribed by

the Guru for the rest of her life.

H. Importance of Women during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Time:

Sada Kaur, the mother-in-law of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a very smart woman and made him in charge of all forces. This

was a very big step in the uniting of all Sikh factions. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh‘s death, his wife, Rani Jindan, took charge o

the forces.

Status of Women at the Present:

Women enjoy great respect in the Sikh religion and have a status of which they should be proud. They can compete for any posi tion – religious, political and social. They also compete in sports. Women have equal rights in almost every field. A

woman, Bibi Jagir Kaur, was elected to the high position of president of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.

References

Dr. Jaspal Singh Mayell, ―Universality of Sikh Religion‖, Mayell publishers, Stamford, Connecticut, USA 2006

Dr. M.S.Gill,1998, ―Women in Sikhism‖,The Sikh Courier International, Middlesex, U.K. VO.38 No.86, p. 3-11

www.gnfa.org

MERIT AWARD:

GNFA Merit award of $2,000 for the year 2012 was awarded to Ajit Singh Gill. Ajit will study his Honors

Program – School of Business at the George Washington University, Washington DC. Ajit will study in the

college education Honors Program – School of Business at the George Washington University, Washington

DC.

GRADUATE RECOGNITION:

On July 15th, GNFA recognized sixteen (16) - College (5), and High School (11) graduates of GNFA Commu-

nity. Year 2012, graduates were:

College – Navneet Kaur Sehdev; Beneta Kaur Ahuja; Sidak Kaur; Jyoti Sardana; Hirdesh Matta.

High School – Nihal Singh; Ajit Singh Gill; Nimarta Kaur Chowdhary; Prabhleen Kaur; Raveena Kaur Ahuja;

Amreen Kaur; Navneet Kaur; Haneet Singh; Sahib Singh; Rishab Khatri and Talwinder Kaur Nagi. Every

graduate got GNFA Certificate and a gift pack from Khalsa School, containing Sikhi related books and DVDs.

GNFA KHALSA SCHOOL:

Khalsa School registration for the Fall Semester is in progress. So far we have registered 125 kids and expect

to have up to 150 students this year.

School teaches at the following levels of instruction: Kindergarten; Elementary School; Middle School; High

School Gurmat and Adult Education.

There are 20 dedicated teachers and 15 volunteers who run the school

Respectfully Submitted,

On behalf of the Education Committee,

Gajinder Singh

Education Report

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Sandesa sMdysw

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My First Sikh Books

Book Review by SAPREET KAUR

MY FIRST SIKH BOOKS, by Parveen Kaur Dhillon. Illustrated by Brian C. Krumm. Lohgarh

Sikh Educational Foundation, U.S.A., 2011. Set of 2 hard-cover full color board books; 2 col-

oring books and a glossary. $14.95. ISBN # 978-0-9822446-0-9.

When I learned that I was pregnant with my son, and before my husband and I told a soul, I

went and bought his first board book. I couldn’t wait to read some of my childhood favorites to

our son.

Now that he is seventeen months old, we spend hours everyday exploring the world of Dr.

Seuss, animals, colors, shapes and languages. He has books on animal families, the alphabet,

counting, Punjabi, vehicles, emotions, children, even the New York City subway.

And yet I always wished there was a book with a character that looked just like him.

Thanks to Parveen Kaur's "My First Sikh Books", my son’s board book library is now com-

plete.

This packaged set of two board books and two coloring books in a fun carrying case for kids is

spectacular. The images are contemporary and fresh. The colors are vibrant. The books have

the same weighty feel in our hands and the same glossy finish as all of our other story-time fa-

vorites.

The kids look like the kids we see everyday at the playground, at school and in the neighbor-

hood. But these books are extra special because they, unlike any other board books we have,

show Sikh kids as part of the fabric of North American society - and of other communities in

the diaspora. They are the reflection of our everyday reality.

And the message of having pride in being a Sikh is pitch perfect for our little one. I love it

when we get to the page about the karra. He points from the karra on the character in the book

to his own karra and then to my karra.

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Looking forward, I’m thrilled to have a book we can read together as we prepare, down the

line, for him to start wearing a patka.

These are also the perfect books for him to read with his grandparents. They are exactly the

sort of books my Mom and Dad wished were around when we were young.

I hear from my friends that coloring will soon become an obsession for my son. I really ap-

preciate that this boxed set can continue to be relevant as my child grows, unlike the heaps of

toys we continuously have to pack and put away as he outgrows them. I can imagine him

coloring and then even practicing drawing the images himself as he grows older.

When my son is ready for kindergarten and its time for my husband and I to do a presenta-

tion on Sikhi to his class, as my parents did for me, you better believe I will have these books

in hand. The coloring books in particular provide the perfect hands-on activity to do with the

kids after sharing the basics of Sikhi with them.

As someone who has long been involved in the Girl Scout movement and girls empower-

ment, I’m thrilled the box set includes a book focused on girls as well as a book focused on

boys. As a community, we speak with great pride about gender equality in Sikhi and this set

actually manages a balanced approach. I see the girl with her braids bouncing as she runs and

I think back to my own childhood and how much I would have loved to see a girl in a book

who was my reflection. Now my nieces have that

opportunity.

As I work on behalf of the panth to protect the Sikh identity so that all Sikhs are supported in

practicing their faith fearlessly, I’m so thrilled we have a resource like this to instill pride in

our children. As a parent who was born and raised in the U.S. and now raising my son here,

"My First Sikh Books" are exactly what I have been looking for.

Sapreet Kaur is the Executive Director of The Sikh Coalition, Vice Chair of the board of

the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and a member of the National Organi-

zation of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

My First Sikh Book set is available on www.Lohgarh.org

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