Editing:2019.11.15 Nanak 550 open houses halfway point

New York, NY (November 15, 2019) -- Across the country, sangats are opening their doors and welcoming their neighbors in celebrations marking the 550th gurpurab of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.

In Lexington, Kentucky, two local news stations--the CBS and NBC channels--showed up to speak with community members at the Sikh Association of Bluegrass as the gurdwara opened its doors to new friends and neighbors (pictured above).

In Irving, Texas, Nishkam Seva gurdwara held an interfaith prayer service and walk to benefit breast cancer research, where over 400 attendees heard speakers from more than 10 different faith traditions.

And in the Sikh Center of Orange County in Santa Ana, California, attendees--including local law enforcement officials--were treated to a program featuring students from the Guru Nanak Children’s Academy and a delicious langar.

But these are just a few of the events that have taken place so far, supported by the Sikh Coalition’s community development, advocacy, and communications teams. This weekend, eight more sangats, from Connecticut to Missouri and Michigan to Washington State, will be hosting their own events.

“Working directly with sangats and watching them shape these events to the needs and interests of their local communities has been a wonderful experience,” said Rucha Kaur, Sikh Coalition Community Development Director. “We are striving to meet more and more Sikh Americans where they are, providing resources and strategic support as they build critical bridges within their communities.”

By December, we will have assisted more than 30 gurdwaras from coast to coast through the open house project. We look forward to sharing more stories from all of these sangats in the weeks to come, and we are grateful for all of the gurdwara leaders and volunteers who have made these events possible.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.

Sangats Across the Country Open Their Doors!