Bill Text: NJ AJR93 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April of every year as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month."
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Passed) 2018-04-09 - Approved P.L.2018, JR-4. [AJR93 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR93-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman LOUIS D. GREENWALD
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April of every year as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April of every year as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month."
Whereas, New Jersey is enriched by the diversity of its residents, who have cultivated a climate of social tolerance and intellectual pluralism that has sustained this State throughout its history; and
Whereas, The Sikh community, which originated in Punjab, India and began immigrating into the United States over 100 years ago, has played an important role in developing this country and this State; and
Whereas, Sikhism is the world's fifth largest religion with nearly 30 million adherents, including roughly 500,000 in the United States; and
Whereas, Founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century, the Sikh monotheistic tradition teaches its adherents to practice the universal principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God; and
Whereas, Believing that every human being, regardless of race, gender, or creed, is equal in the eyes of God, Sikhism emerged as a pioneer of social justice, with female participation in religious ceremonies widely encouraged and inter-faith efforts to fight oppression regularly pursued; and
Whereas, The religion's emphasis on loving service to humanity also inspires Sikhs in New Jersey to make lasting social contributions, such as providing free food to the less fortunate through the annual "Let's Share a Meal" event in Camden and Jersey City; and
Whereas, Despite their progressive principles and charitable deeds, the American Sikh community commonly experiences discrimination, often by individuals who are unaware of the beliefs and practices of the faith; and
Whereas, Nearly 60 percent of Americans admit to knowing nothing about the religion or its practitioners, and national rates of anti-Sikh bigotry rose dramatically following the September 11th terrorist attacks; and
Whereas, Sikhs disproportionately experience school bullying, with estimates indicating that over 50 percent of all Sikh children, and roughly 67 percent of turbaned-Sikh children, endure physical or verbal abuse while at school; and
Whereas, New Jersey is no stranger to this abuse, as a Sikh student's turban was set on fire by a bigoted classmate at Hightstown High School in 2008; and
Whereas, Deadly assaults against the Sikh community, such as the hate-inspired murder of six worshippers at the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin in August 2012, have also become all-too-common occurrences across the country; and
Whereas, Although the Sikh American community continues to peacefully overcome each attack on its cultural identity, the State of New Jersey is now compelled to promote public awareness of the Sikh faith and memorialize the lasting contributions of its Sikh residents; and
Whereas, Because Vaisakhi, an annual festival that is held in April to commemorate the creation of the Khalsa Panth, a fellowship of devout Sikhs, is one of the most important Sikh holidays, it is all together fitting and proper for New Jersey to designate the month of April as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in order to celebrate its Sikh community and combat anti-Sikh bigotry; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of April of every year is designated as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to promote public awareness of the Sikh faith, recognize the important contributions of the Sikh community, and combat anti-Sikh bigotry.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation designating the month of April as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" and shall call upon the public officials and citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of April of every year as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to promote awareness of the Sikh faith, recognize the lasting contributions of this State's Sikh community, and combat the increasing and unacceptable levels of anti-Sikh bigotry.
Sikhism is currently the world's fifth largest religion with roughly 30 million adherents worldwide, including roughly 500,000 Sikhs in the United States. Founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region of India, Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that teaches its adherents to live by the three fundamental principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God. Rooted in their basic belief in universal equality, the Sikhs also emerged as pioneers of social justice, with female religious participation widely encouraged and inter-faith efforts to combat injustice regularly pursued.
Acting on the basis of these principles, Sikhs are known to make lasting and meaningful social contributions wherever they reside. For example, Sikh communities in Jersey City and Camden hold an annual "Let's Share a Meal Event" to provide free meals to the less fortunate.
Despite their progressive beliefs and charitable deeds, Sikhs in the United States often experience discrimination. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, anti-Sikh bigotry increased dramatically throughout the United States, as many people erroneously associate the Sikhs' uncut beards and traditional turbans with religious radicals such as Al-Qaeda. Sikh students endure school bullying and hate crime assaults at a higher rate than many of their classmates. However, by refusing to respond with hate or violence, the Sikh community continues to promote love and peace in the face of discrimination.
In designating the month of April as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, this joint resolution aims to fight back against anti-Sikh bigotry by celebrating the lasting contributions of the Sikh people and acknowledging the essential role that Sikhs play in New Jersey's diverse community.