Sikh Parade in Salem Draws Participants from Oregon and NW

The colorful and symbolic rituals of the Sikh faith showed boldly and members hope people learn to understand their peaceful nature.

(SALEM) - A small portion of the nearly one million Sikhs in the U.S.A and Canada gathered in Salem Saturday, coming from all over the northwest to, in a way, neutralize the negative energy of July 22nd. That is when someone set fire to a flag with Khanda, the symbol of the Sikh faith on it, outside of the Dashmesh Darbar Sikh Temple on Oakhill Ave SE in South Salem.

This type of hate crime is nothing new to the Sikh people who are commonly mistaken for Islamic extremists because of, in part, the similar style of clothing they wear.

They pulled two floats down south Commercial Street in a rich display of beautiful singing and colorful clothing. In front of the floats were guardians of the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal spiritual guide of the Sikhs. Riding on and walking between the floats were many people of all ages, singing and laughing even though it was a cloudy day filled with rain and cool temperatures.

The parade was a celebration of the 537th anniversary of Guru Nanak’s birthday, the founder of Sikhism, who wandered through many lands preaching a message of love and understanding and criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims.

The plight of the Sikhs has gone unnoticed by the vast majority of America but it is difficult to understand why. Lessons of peace, equality, justice, morality and communion, regardless of ethnicity, gender or race are just a few of the things this faith has to offer.

While it was pouring down rain I ran over to have a word with the spokesperson for this event, Singh Shaib Sathanuman, who looks just like you or I beneath the distinct turban and I was immediately covered with an umbrella and offered the most delicious tea I have ever tasted.

There are close to twenty four million Sikhs worldwide and they make up the fifth largest religion in the world. For more information go to sikhs.org

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Singh Sahib Sathanuman Singh Khalsa November 15, 2007 9:36 am (Pacific time)

Thank you for the story you wrote on our Nagar Kirtan in Salem last November. We will do it again but decided due to the kind of weather we have here in Oregon, we would plan it for early June of 2008. As for the mistaken identity, I would put it like this. I was in NYC on 9/11/01 and this is how I experienced the reaction to what happened that dreadful day.

Sikhs have been around for over 535 years. We have been living in the US and Canada since 1890's. We don't bother anyone and its not part of our faith to convert others. We have been here as you taxi cab drivers, doctors, dentist, financial advisers, computer experts, teachers, security officers, business owners. We have served in the US Army and one of us is buried in Arlington National Cemetery (Sgt Uday Singh). One of us was a US Congressman from California (1956-1960)Dalip Singh Saund.

Now why the challenge with bigotry, prejudice and violence towards Sikhs, especially after 9/11?

FEAR! American's as a whole know little to nothing about other cultures or religions outside their own Christianity and Judaism. The more educated an American or the more they travel outside "Kansas", the more informed and enlightened they are.

When Osama bin Laden's picture was put up on the screen on 9/11 and since, people had to focus their hate and revenge on someone and something.

He wore a white turban and had a beard. NOw its important to note that there are 1,000,000,000 Muslims in the World and most don't wear turbans, especially in America. Mostly they trim or shave their beards, and very few if not all have short hair. They are NOT Sikhs and are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, Middle East, Europe and America.

Sikh predominately come from the Punjab in northwest India. If Osama bin Laden was not in Afghanistan or Pakistan, he probably wouldn't wear a turban. His is more like a hat that is put on. It represents his authority.

As a Sikh, my authority is God and our Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The turban all Sikhs wear is our Guru's not ours. A Sikh is someone who has integrity and stands for Truth and Justice and who believes in one Infinite Creator. We don't worship any personality.

If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all.

Editor: Singh Sahib Sathanuman Singh Khalsa, can you please send me an email at tim@salem-news.com?

Thank you very much,

Tim King

Salem-News.com

sweeetone March 8, 2007 8:32 am (Pacific time)

I love the sikhs! they are very humble people! Welcome to our community

Jake November 30, 2006 8:38 pm (Pacific time)

I love the Sikh community as they are caring and loving people.

Jackie November 7, 2006 10:39 am (Pacific time)

I know many sikhs from Eugene who joined the celebration. They are very active caring members of our community. I have found them to be warm and vivacious people, always ready with a smile to answer questions about their religion or attire with good humor.

Grimace November 7, 2006 6:46 am (Pacific time)

I, too welcome them, but a little fore-warning in regards to their parade on Saturday would have been nice. We had no idea what was going on other than traffic was backed up for quite a ways.

Leonardo November 6, 2006 6:16 am (Pacific time)

I, for one, welcome them to our community and wish them well. They add diversity and dignity to south Salem.

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