UNITED SIKHS, a UN affiliated international human and civil rights organization, which launched an awareness campaign and a Food Bank in response to COVID 19 crisis, has condemned the recent attack on a Gurdwara in the heart of Kabul, capital city of Afghanistan, in which 25 worshipers were killed and 8 were wounded. The organization has demanded the global community to take concrete steps in safeguarding the Afghan Sikh community and providing safe passage.
In 2018, following the suicide bombing in Jallalabad that killed 12 Sikh community leaders, UNITED SIKHS had highlighted the plight of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan during the 39th session of the Human Rights Council. A petition was also filed in the Canadian Parliament in October 2018.
In January 2019, UNITED SIKHS called on representatives of Permanent Missions to make recommendations, during the Universal Periodic Review, for Afghanistan to urgently address the continuing threats to religious freedom and security of Sikhs.
Afghanistan’s implementation of the recommendations remains gravely unfulfilled. Multiple Sikh girls have been kidnapped and forced into marriage and Sikhs were even stopped from cremating their deceased loved ones.
The recent Islamic State advances and terror attacks raise a real fear that Afghan Sikhs, if not protected, will be subjected to such a level of discrimination and ill-treatment as to amount to a very real and immediate risk of persecution based on ethnic and religious identity. They are desperately in need of international protection.
In carrying the fundamental principle in Sikhi of standing up for those in need and the underprivileged and providing for those who can’t help themselves UNITED SIKHS took on a herculean task of providing 30,000 meals when called upon by the city of New York.
Hardayal Singh, UNITED SIKHS Director (USA), said, “UNITED SIKHS provides free meals to the people in New York City, one of the worst Coronavirus affected cities in the USA. Strict food hygiene practices are observed during the preparation of food by the volunteers using gloves, masks and maintaining social distance as safety is paramount.”
UNITED SIKHS is an UN-affiliated, international non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian relief, human development and advocacy organization, registered in 11 countries, including USA, Canada, UK, Australia and India.
Meanwhile, the organization has been distributing masks and sanitizers in Delhi, Faridabad, Ambala and Punjab. An awareness campaign drive was simultaneously initiated in those areas while food is being distributed to the needy around the world. Food is even delivered to those who are elderly, vulnerable or handicapped. The organization ensures distribution of over the counter (OTC) medicines, daily essentials, basic food supplies and hot meals (langar). This facility is mainly provided to international students, the elderly, those living alone and the vulnerable. Single mothers, the disabled and those who are isolated and of low income are also taken care of.
The Directors in India include Pritam Singh, Parvinder Singh, Jasmeet Singh and Mohinder Jit Singh. Singer and actor Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi is also part of the India operations. Hundreds of volunteers are active throughout India including Shillong, Assam, Bangalore, Delhi, Faridabad and multiple cities in Panjab.
UNITED SIKHS mission is to transform, alleviate, educate, and protect the lives of underprivileged, individuals and minority communities impacted by disasters, natural or man-made, suffering from hunger, illiteracy, diseases, or from violation of civil and human-rights into informed and vibrant members of society by fostering sustainable programs regardless of color, race, religion or creed.
UNITED SIKHS is affiliated with the UN. It also has a relationship with FEMA and NVOAD in the United States. UNITED SIKHS has served in over 50 disasters worldwide ranging from Malaysia to Haiti to Philippines to Sri Lanka to Peru to Assam to Shillong to Kashmir to Nepal to Panjab to Karnataka to Kerala to New York. UNITED SIKHS has been mentioned by Barack Obama for its work during the Haiti Earthquake. UNITED SIKHS got the Kenyan Prime Minister to flag off the Food Bank in Nairobi.
