Sikhs in Richmond Hill
I visited to Richmond Hill, in Queens to observe the community of Sikhs. The majority of Sikhs lives in Richmond Hill around that area such as in South Ozone Park, Kew Garden, etc. I start from the Sikh Cultural Society, Gurdwara a Sikh place of worship. It is located on 118th street, 95th Avenue at South Richmond Hill. The building is under construction that has been burned in 2002. Outside of Gurdwara, I start asking few questions to a old man with turban about the Gurdwara and their community, who have been in this country from last 45 years. I came to know that this was the first Gurdwara built in about 42 years ago in queens. He said before that Sikhs people used to gather in a private house to worship. He had lot of information about Sikhs History. Then I start asking him about the attack of 9/11. He pauses for a moment and sigh. He said it was very sad moment in his life because we “Sikhs” became hate crime only because we resemble with those terrorist who are members of Al-Qaida. Then he told me that one of his close friends died in Arizona in his gas station by a white man, because of his appearance and beliefs. He said we spend most of our time at home and many Sikhs men especially young people who had to support their family cut their hair. Sikhs are not allowed to cut their hair, but in scared of getting killed, which led them to cut their hair.
He was very interesting man. I would go back to him for my further research. From him I also came to know that there is one more Gurdwara few blocks away, Baba Makhan Shah Lubana at 114street and 101 Avenue. The main reasons people live there is because they are more attach to their religion and to their ethnic group. They might feel more comfortable there. They can find everything they want living in Richmond Hill. There are law offices where we can find Sikhs or other Indian lawyers who can speak Hindi or Punjabi that can help Sikhs or many other Indians. So like in every business...