World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR)

World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR)
A representative body of Sikh institutions of America founded under the patronage of Siri Akal Takhat Sahib
P.O. Box 3635, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
Phone: 614-210-0591, Fax: 419-535-6794
E-mail: contact@worldsikhcouncil.org, Website: www.worldsikhcouncil.org
January 31, 2005
Member Gurdwaras:
1. Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA
2. Guru Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA
3. Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North Hollywood, CA
4. Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA
5. Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver, CO
6. Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta, GA
7. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
8. Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL
9. Sikh Society of South, New Orleans, LA
10. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills, MI
11. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI
12. Guru Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS
13. Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
14. Garden State Sikh Association, Pluckemin, NJ
15. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
16. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills, NY
17. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo, NY
18. Sikh Religious Society of Dayton, Dayton, OH
19. Guru Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH
20. Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH
21. Guru Nanak Religious Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH
22. Tristate Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA
23. Mid South Sikh Sabha, Memphis, TN
24. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX
25. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX
26. Sikh Gurdwara of North Texas, Garland, TX
27. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax, VA
28. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, VA
29. Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI
Other Sikh Institution Members:
1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim, CA
2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS
3. Sikh Youth Federation of North America, White Plains, NY
4. Sikh Coalition, New York, NY
5. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin, OH
6. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH
7. Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX
Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
Stamp Development
United States Postal Service
1735 North Lynn Street, Room 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432
Re: Request for Stamp Issue
Dear committee members:
The World Sikh Council - America Region is the
representative and elected body of Sikh places of worship and
Sikh organizations throughout the American Sikh community
in the United States.
The purpose of this letter to your distinguished Committee is
to request your consideration for an issue of a USPS stamp to
recognize one of the annual holidays and/or religious
celebrations associated with the Sikh faith. We are all proud to
be part of our great Constitution. We appreciate your service
in choosing to recognize Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, and
Kwanzaa as important days in this one nation under God. We
are all richer for respecting all beliefs in our country and by
observing and celebrating these with all Americans. As
American Sikhs, we too would like to have our holidays
recognized nationally. Many schools and institutions
recognize Sikh religious holidays today. This nation has been
a bright beacon for leadership in democracy and the freedom
and rights of people all over the world.
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Sikhs came to this country over one hundred years ago and have contributed significantly to American
society in the last century. Sikhs have had significant presence in California and New York after first
coming to this country, and today are represented in every state. Currently there are about half a million
Sikhs living in the US. The first such American to serve in the US Congress, Dalip Singh Saund, was a
member of the Sikh faith. Many new names keep emerging for service year after year. Prominent holidays
and anniversaries have been celebrated and acknowledged in messages from many Presidents and
Governors in the past. The 300th anniversary of birth of the Khalsa (formal initiation of the first 5 Sikhs)
in 1999 was one such event celebrated at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Sikhs continue to
participate in all aspects of American culture and society just like all other proud citizens. The Sikh faith
is the fifth largest religion in the world and has values of equality, freedom of choice of religion, and
justice. There are established Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) all over the United States, as well as
professional and trade organizations specific to Sikhs. We are also proud to be an active part of the multifaith
national community. Since 9/11, the Sikh community has been preferentially victimized and is
working actively with national and local religious, cultural, and social organizations to address issues of
stereotyping, profiling and bigotry.
American Sikhs have a forthcoming celebration in 2008 with the 300th anniversary of the dedication of
the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh scripture). We would also like to request this as a special issue
stamp.
Thank you for your time and consideration for these requests. If you need additional information, please
feel free to contact me. Regards and best wishes,
Sincerely,
Dr. Tarunjit Singh
Secretary General
World Sikh Council – America Region
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