NEW YORK—To aware the 70% ignorant American population about Sikhism, the New York state authorities have decided to include lessons about the Sikh religion and its tradition in the curriculum of school students. Sources have informed that it has become possible due to the efforts of non-profit organization named ‘United Sikhs’.
Interacting with media, the senior policy advisor of United Sikhs S. Pritpal Singh said that his organization found in a survey that 70 percent of Americans do not recognize Sikhs. He added that the Sikh students are often subjected to bullying by their American classmates due to this reason. “They have no idea who we are, what our origins are, where we come from or what country we come from,” he said.
According to a report, the curriculum was formally announced on July 20, but it actually first started in some city classrooms in September 2016.
It is learnt that the Sikhism was being taught in 70 percent of fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms during the past academic years. But now the department of education will continue to roll out the curriculum to the remaining schools over the next few years.
In April-2017, a non-profit organization named the National Sikh Campaign had launched a million-dollar awareness campaign to inform Americans about Sikhism amid a spike in hate crimes against the minority community. The month-long “We are Sikhs” advertisement campaign was launched by the organization on April 14 i.e. on the eve of Vaisakhi.
Four American States, namely New Jersey, Indiana, Delaware and Oregon have declared the month of April for Sikhism. According to a survey conducted by the Sikh Coalition, a community-based organization that defends Sikh civil rights, it was found that up to 67 per cent of Sikh children have said they experienced bullying at school because of their religion. Some reported instances of physical violence, including the removal of their turbans by force.
