This story elaborates on an article published at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2017: 'We all belong to one God' proclaimed at Holyoke ceremony for Sikh religion's Vaisakhi celebration

HOLYOKE -- Since 9/11, fear of violence or insults wielded by people who mistake them for Muslims has led many Sikhs to avoid wearing the traditional headdress.

"They want to blend in because of all the hate crimes," said Swaranjit Singh Khalsa of Norwich, Connecticut after a ceremony at City Hall.

But on Thursday, men displayed turbans of gold, aqua, blue and white. The signaling of ease came in the ceremony in City Council Chambers celebrating the historical and religious festival known as Vaisakhi and featuring a proclamation from Mayor Alex B. Morse wishing the Sikh community well.

"Sikhs in the United States pursue diverse professions and walks of life making rich contributions to the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of the United States, including service as members of the United States armed forces," Morse said.

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the late 1400's in Punjab, India. The word "sikh" in the Punjabi language means "disciple." (See bullet list below).

"Sikhism means we are disciples of God," Manmohan Singh Bharara, of the local Sikh community, said during the ceremony. "Sikh values are American values."

Sikhs follow a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times. The Sikh message includes truthful living, equality of mankind, including equal treatment of men and women, caring for the less fortunate, social justice and denunciations of superstitions and blind rituals, according to speakers at the ceremony and online sources.

"We all belong to one God," Bharara said.

Bharara said that from ancient times, people have considered what it means to be an extraordinary person. For some that means having a mansion or big bank account. But others see that as treating people well, caring for the needy and leading an honest life, traits that Sikhs aim for, Bharara said.

"That human being is an extraordinary person," he said.

The ceremony came about thanks to the owner of Dino's Pizza at 615 Homestead Ave., Gurninder Dhaliwal.

Dhaliwal, a Sikh who commonly is known as "Tony," contacted Councilor at Large Daniel B. Bresnahan about a commemoration of Vaisakhi, and Bresnahan got in touch with Morse.

"The current administration has been an administration that has been welcoming to many people of different backgrounds," Bresnahan said.

He praised Dhaliwal as a benefit to the community in donating pizzas to gatherings of local sports teams and running a small business.

"The American dream stands before us," Bresnahan said.

Dhaliwal said little during the ceremony, thanking Morse, Bresnahan and other councilors who attended.

Morse said Holyoke strives to welcome all people and to be a place where success is measured by how people are treated.

"We all want what's best for our community. We want to celebrate our differences," said Morse, who thanked the speakers for the education about Sikhism.

"Thank you for destigmatizing what it means to be Sikhs," he said.

About 15 families practice Sikhism in this area and most attend temples in Connecticut in Windsor, Hamden, Southington and Norwalk, said Dhaliwal and Khalsa.

Vaisakhi is one of the most religiously significant days in Sikh history. It commemorates the creating of the Khalsa, a fellowship of devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is the Sikh New Year festival and a long established harvest festival in Punjab, according to the BBC.

Vaisakhi usually is celebrated on April 14 but scheduling conflicts prevented a ceremony here until now, said Khalsa, a member of the Sikh Sewak Society International.

Also making remarks during the ceremony were state Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, and Linda L. Vacon, the City Council representative from Ward 5, where Dino's Pizza is located.

"I think it's important to recognize the differences, that's what makes the community strong," Vega said.

Vacon said she wanted to attend to salute Dhaliwal's dedication to the community.

"I'm very happy to be here. I'm very happy to learn more about your religion," Vacon said.

The Sikh Sewak Society International presented Holyoke officials with framed images of the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine in Sikhism located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India.

Philosophy and beliefs of Sikhism include, according to Sikhs.org:



There is only one God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.

The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form.

The goal of life is to lead an exemplary existence to merge with God.

Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between spiritual and temporal obligations.

The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning an honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.

Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, superstitions and idol worship.

Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God.