PALATINE: State of Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford accompanied by members of his staff visited Palatine Gurdwara Sahib located in Palatine, a Chicago suburb.
Rutherford is the first elected Treasurer to visit Gurughar and is also the first elected official who sponsored an exhibition of Sikh Soldiers’ contribution in World Wars. The exhibition stayed open for a whole week in State of Illinois building. He was greeted by President Sikh Religious Society (SRS) S Sokhi Singh, Board members and Sangat members with a flower bouquet and was presented a Community Service Award plaque for his support of Sikhs
He had a private meeting with some eminent members of society afterwards. A candidate for Governor from Republican Party, he has announced picking up an Asian as his running mate as Lieutenant Governor, Steve Kim.
Sikhs sometimes face identity crisis as a good number of Americans mistake them for being Talibanis in the light of their wearing turban. People asked him, “How to fight identity crisis?” Sikhs, even senior citizens have been attacked. Sometime Gurdwaras have been attacked, even though Gurdwaras welcome people from any religion any race any time, but Americans aren’t aware of that.
State Treasurer Rutherford suggested that Sikhs need to be outgoing. It is their responsibility to educate people. They have to invite elected officials to their Gurdwaras. They need to invite school principals, teachers, police, fire chiefs. They need to host seminars, open houses. Sikhs needs to show up during local celebrations like Memorial Day, 4th of July and other local festivities. They need to leave their comfort zone and be part of society.
Rutherford expressed his gratitude to SRS for inviting him to the Gurdwara and to Sarwan Singh for presenting him the poster of Sikh Soldiers in World wars.
Thakar Basati
