(Image source from: Hindustan Times)

Delaware governor John Carney has signed an executive proclamation naming April 2019 as the "Delaware Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in recognition of the contribution of the Sikh community in the economic and social milieu of the state.

Throughout April, the public will be educated about what Sikhism. In his proclamation on Tuesday, Carney said the contribution of Sikh-Americans to Delaware and the United States has been immense.

Earlier, the Delaware House of Representatives and the Senate simultaneously passed unanimous resolutions proclaiming April as ‘Delaware Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month’. The move is significant as the state has a small Sikh population.

This year's resolution is especially meaningful because it comes in the 550th birth year of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, Delaware Sikh Awareness Coalition (DSAC) chairman Charanjeet Singh Minhas said.

Before the resolution was introduced in the state legislature, the DSAC had sponsored an interfaith luncheon session and a presentation that discussed the universal aspects of Guru Nanak's teaching and their relevance today.

"On a work day, during working hours, it was amazing to see the participation of close to 100 guests," Minhas said.

Attendees included Anurag Kumar, Indian Embassy's minister of community affairs, as well as interfaith leaders and members from Delaware's Jewish, Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities.

According to the resolution, since September 11, 2001, nationally, Sikhs have been subject to school harassment, employment discrimination, and fatal shootings, including the murder of six Sikhs in the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara shooting on August 5, 2012.

By Sowmya Sangam