NEW YORK: In an unprecedented move, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has agreed to provide prayer facilities for Sikhs at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.At a meeting convened last week for the Sikh community by New York City Assemblyman Rory Lancman, the Port Authority has agreed to provide prayer facilities for Sikhs at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York.

The meeting was attended by Susan Baer, Gen Manager, Aviation, JFK airport, and Jerry Spampanato, Deputy General Manager, Aviation, JFK, who agreed that there was a need for a prayer room for Sikh travelers at the airport.

The participation of Sikhs at the meeting, which took place on Nov 30 at the Chapel Museum Hall at John F. Kennedy Airport's Terminal 4, was coordinated by Amarjit Singh, the multifaith coordinator for United Sikhs.Assemblyman Lancman, who has a large Sikh population in his constituency of 25th District, Queens, said, "The Sikh community is a growing population in Queens, and many Sikhs go back and forth to India quite regularly.

Sikh travelers deserve a place to worship at JFK airport alongside those currently set aside for other faiths, and I am very pleased that the Port Authority has committed to work with the community to obtain this goal."Balbir Kaur, Community Services Director of United Sikhs said, "Most airports have "meditation rooms" used for prayers by passengers.

We are very pleased that the Port Authority recognizes the need for prayer facilities specially for the Sikhs.""We hope that other Port Authorities in the country will also accommodate the need for prayer facilities for Sikhs traveling through other airports," she added. "The Queens area of New York has received a large number of Sikh migrants for many decades and the JFK airport is a hub for Sikh travelers.

Therefore the Port Authority's accommodation of Sikhs' needs is a step in the right direction," said Avtar Singh Pannu, President of the Sikh Cultural Society Gurdwara, Queens, which is the oldest Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) on the East Coast. "Currently there are four prayer rooms at JFK airport - for Catholics, Protestants, Jews and a multifaith room.

The Port Authority has agreed to subdivide the existing multifaith prayer room to cater for the needs of Sikh travelers," said Arvind Kaur, United Sikhs' EduCare center coordinator. "It will take more than a fortnight for the Port Authority to finalize their plans," said Diane Barrett, Assemblyman Lancman's Chief of Staff, who also attended the meeting.

Also present at the meeting were Assemblywoman Michele R. Titus (D-Queens, 31st Assembly District) and representatives from Congressman Gregory Meeks' (from 6th District of New York) office.

The Sikh delegation at the meeting comprised representatives of: Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society Richmond Hill; Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, Glen Cove; United Sikhs; Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah; Dhan Dhan Baba Buddha Sahib Sikh Association; and Sikh Recognition Trust.