$125K raised in US for awareness on Sikhism

WASHINGTON: Sikh-Americans from the US state of Utah have helped raise $125,000 (`84 lakh) for a national media campaign to generate awareness about the community in the country.

The money was raised at an event organised in Salt Lake by the National Sikh Campaign’s media initiative to educate Americans about Sikhs and Sikhism. The Utah Sikh community comprises about 200 families.

Sikhs have faced hate crimes and violence since 9/11, and terrorist attacks in recent months have resulted in a spike in prejudice and violence against Sikhs across America, a statement said.

“This is a historic opportunity for the Sikh community and we are overwhelmed by the response of the community in Salt Lake City,” said Dr Rajwant Singh, co-founder of the National Sikh Campaign and its senior adviser.

The campaign has engaged President Barack Obama’s media team to develop 30-second ads on Sikhs to run on television and social media nationally. This was done under a strategic plan designed by Hillary Clinton’s former chief strategist Geoff Garin, who also develops strategic plan for the Harvard University and the World Bank.