Sikh-Americans fear backlash

In a bid to allay growing concerns within the community, the White House sent one of its top official to a gurdwara in the suburb of Washington DC on Sunday to meet members of the Sikh community and local leadership to assure them about their safety and interest. 

“We know, this is a time when some in the community fear unease,” said Cecilia Munoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House, after her interaction with the Sikh community at the oldest gurdwara of Maryland — Guru Nanak Foundation of America. She also attended ‘sangat’ with its members. 

“I shared the work that the federal government is doing to make sure that every child is safe and secure, every person is feeling safe and secure in the places of worship and the places where they work and the places where they study,” Munoz said, adding that there was no need to be fearful. 

Paramvir Singh Soni, chairperson of the Guru Nanank Foundation of America, acknowledged that there is a sense of fear in the community and said the Sikh-Americans are touched by the steps being taken by US President Barack Obama in this regard. “We are still looking for stronger actions against hate crimes. I think there we need to do some more work, but we are making progress,” he said.

Singh said the community wants to have the next president as one who can address its challenge. “Someone who is more open to the Sikh community, somebody who is more engaged,” he said.