US Based SikhLEAD Program Reaches Thousands Through Langar

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On July 6th, 2016, SALDEF’s largest SikhLEAD class made history by hosting the largest LangarOnTheHill1congressional and community gathering in Sikh American history on Capitol Hill. SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) was founded in 1996 with a mission to achieve equal access and opportunity for Sikh Americans by protecting civil rights, building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans.

The SikhLEAD event was sponsored by Senator Minority Leader Harry Reid in conjunction with Congressman Mike Honda. Over 500 people from varied professions, political backgrounds and spiritual paths gathered to learn about Sikh values and the Sikh American contributions to society. They all shared in a Sikh tradition, langar, at the third annual Langar on the Hill. This year’s Langar once again became the largest Congressional and community gathering on Capitol Hill in Sikh American history, and reached thousands more through social and traditional media.  

LangarOnTheHill2The event took place in the Kennedy Caucus Room in the nation’s capital. White cloth covered the ground of the room, and upon entering, guests were asked to cover their heads and remove their shoes. Orange bandannas were handed out to every guest at check-in and SikhLEAD interns helped people tie them.

Dal Makhani, whole black lentils and red kidney beans in a butter cream, was served, as well as Aloo Gobi, potatoes and cauliflower, cooked in a blend of spices. Attendees also got to sample roti (round flat bread), dahi (yogurt) and kheer (rice pudding). Once attendees filled their plates, everyone sat in rows on the floor and listened to the speakers. Because of the huge turnout, volunteers asked people to shuffle out once they were done eating.

“Sikh Americans have made great contributions to this country — from their history Langar with Mike Hondaof agricultural and business innovations to their outstanding military service,” Congressman Mike Honda told NBC News. “At a time where entire communities are under attack for their faith, these opportunities for dialogue are especially important. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Sikh American community, my congressional colleagues and their staffs for sharing this meal together. I hope we continue to recognize and advocate for Sikh Americans and all our nation’s diverse faith communities. I promise to continue to do my part as a member of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus.” 

“Not only are we inviting Congressional representatives, colleagues, neighbors, and community members to break bread with us in the Sikh tradition of langar, but we are also teaching people about the history of this 500-year-old anti-segregation movement,” SALDEF communications director Sumeet Kaur Bal told NBC News. “By coming together in this tradition, langar establishes that all are equal and deserving of the same love and respect.” 

Langar with Zoe LCongresswomen Zoe Lofgren said, “What a great country we have – all religions can celebrate other religions, and all of us people of faith can celebrate the faith of others. I think that is what you are living through this wonderful evening, sharing not only good food but also goodwill.”

“One of the saddest prayers, I think one of the things that goes to the nobility of this community, was: What more could we have done as Sikhs to teach that man (the gunman) more about us, so he wouldn’t have shot us? It is hard for me to think of any other faith community that would ask themselves what more could we have done to stop a hate crime from happening, and feeling a sense of obligation to tell people about what they believe. It was a very noble prayer and I believe it is emblematic of this community,” said Director Paul Monteiro. 

 

Langar, which is sharing a simple vegetarian meal, is a 500-year-old Sikh tradition that seeks to eradicate segregation by bringing together communities without regard to caste, class, gender, or religion. Everyone sits together on the floor, at the same level, and no one is turned away. Langar was established by the founder of Sikhism (the first Sikh Guru), Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to promote equality. Langar is prepared and served through seva (selfless service) by the community. In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind.

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