“Gurdwara security is not something that can be checked off the to-do list once and subsequently forgotten about,” said Rucha Kaur, Sikh Coalition Community Development Director. “The threats we face are unique and changing, so we must all work to proactively prevent accidents and crimes, while also preparing our sangats to respond in times of crisis.”
On Saturday, the Sikh Coalition hosted a gurdwara security webinar focused on the California sangat, featuring representatives from the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the state government. This webinar was geared towards Californians because of the state’s specific rules for grantmaking around security for houses of worship; if you are interested in learning more about your state’s resources, email
community@sikhcoalition.org.
In fact, since starting our gurdwara security initiative in 2017, the Sikh Coalition has worked with more than 75 gurdwaras across the country to conduct gurdwara security assessments and strengthen emergency preparedness measures. Now, we hope that this updated and expanded toolkit--which includes a comprehensive list of available resources for all communities--can serve as a starting point for important conversations in your gurdwara.
Regardless of whether your gurdwara has a plan in place already or you are just beginning to consider questions of security, please feel free to reach out to our team by calling 212-655-3095 or emailing
community@sikhcoalition.org for free assistance in English or Punjabi.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
