US Sikh community raises funds for Sikhism awareness campaign

Washington, July 23

The Sikh-American community from the US state of Utah has helped in raising USD 125,000 for a national media campaign to generate awareness about Sikhs and Sikhism in America.

The money was raised at an event organised in Salt Lake this week by the National Sikh Campaign’s media initiative to educate Americans about Sikhs and Sikhism.

The Utah Sikh community comprises about 200 families.

Sikhs have faced hate crimes and violence since 9/11 and terrorist attacks in recent months against Americans have resulted in a spike in prejudice and violence against Sikhs across America, a statement said.

“This is a historic opportunity for the Sikh community and we are overwhelmed by the response of the community in Salt Lake City,” said Dr Rajwant Singh, Co-founder of the National Sikh Campaign and its Senior Adviser.

National Sikh Campaign has engaged President Barack Obama’s media team, AKPD, to develop 30-second ads on Sikhs to run on TV media and social media nationally.

This was done under a strategic plan designed by Hillary Clinton’s former Chief Strategist Geoff Garin, who also develops strategic plan for the Harvard University and the World Bank.

NSC plans to run these ads on national and local TV channels and the social media, the statement said. PTI