Sikh group serves annual langar to promote values of equality and service
Our Bureau
Washington DC
Capitol Hill witnessed the participation of nearly 150 individuals, with members of Congress, in the annual Langar served and hosted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)’s SikhLEAD Internship class and Sen. Chuck Schumer office, on July 26.
The prominent Lawmakers who relished the langar while sharing meals and engaging in dialogue with the Sikh American community included Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, and Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-MI.
Langar inculcates the feeling of fostering unity, eradicate segregation and classicism while promoting food justice is a 500-year-old Sikh tradition.
Kiran Kaur Gill, the Executive Director of SALDEF, emphasized the significance of Langar in the context of the Sikh American experience.
“Sikh Americans have a long history of innovative community engagement and leadership, from the Honorable Dalip Singh Saund who was one of our great pioneers in Congress, to the advocates at SALDEF,” she said. “Having the occasion to share a meal as equals is a strong reminder about the values of equality and universal friendship.”
The hosting of langar is a lively example of exhibiting the spirit of unity and cultural exchange, symbolizing the Sikh community’s ongoing commitment to the broader American society by fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. Langar on the Hill sends a powerful message to the society in the US and helps bridge the gap by building connections with lawmakers and fellow citizens.
Despite a rich history of 125 years in the US, Sikh Americans still face misconceptions and misunderstandings. The event provided a vital opportunity to showcase Sikhism and Sikh values of equality for all to the new generation for a deeper civic connection.
The SikhLEAD Internship Program is a collaboration with congressional and federal offices offering Sikh American students a chance to embark on careers in public service and community leadership.
SALDEF, the oldest Sikh American advocacy organization, is dedicated to empowering Sikh Americans through constructive dialogue, encouraging understanding, and promoting civic and political engagement.
