Three libraries in Queens now have more books, DVDs and pamphlets as part of an effort to raise awareness about Sikhism and reduce hate crimes towards Sikhs through better understanding about their culture.
“The purpose of donating these books on Sikhism is to dispel any misunderstanding about the Sikh religion and to try to prevent further harassment of the religious followers,” said community activist Jagir Singh Bains, who started the project and helped organize the donations with members of the Sikh community.
The recent donations were made to Queens library branches at Douglaston, Ridgewood and Woodside. This makes 27 community libraries in Queens that now have a collection on Sikhism because of the Sikh community’s donations.
The project started in March 2006, and Bains hopes to donate more resources until all 67 Queens library branches have materials on Sikhism.
“This project is to improve the availability of information on the Sikh culture, history and religion via multimedia resource,” said Bains.
The donations cover Sikh culture, history, human rights and religion of the Sikh people. They include the books, The Excellence of Sikhism, Who are the Sikhs? and Community Kitchen of the Sikhs.
Some of the Queens libraries that have previously received donations from the Sikh community are Bellerose, Briarwood, and the Central Library in Jamaica. Later this month, Bains plans to donate to the library in LeFrak City.
“Queens Library is appreciative of the donation of these books and multi-media materials. They add to the diversity of our library collections and support information to the multi-cultural mosaic of Queens,” said Thomas W. Galante, CEO of Queens Library.
Bains was inspired to donate educational material on Sikhism after the September 11 attack on the Twin Towers led to members of the Sikh community being misidentified as terrorists and attacked by non-Sikhs.
“Many innocent people have become victims of misplaced anger and hate because of their appearance. This has been mostly due to ignorance,” said Bains.
Bains mentioned recent instances when a Sikh man’s turban was burned and a Sikh woman’s hair was cut, as only two examples of hate crimes against members of the Sikh faith.
“I hope non-Sikh Americans read these books and acquaint themselves with Sikh history and culture, so we do not have any mishaps as we have had recently in New York,” said Bains.
