Sikh American women hear cheers and whispers

Monday was bittersweet for Sikh American women.

On Monday, Manpreet Monica Singh became the first Sikh American female judge in the United States. The Houston born judge was sworn in as a Harris County, Texas, judge. Her father immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s.

The same day in Alabama, Harmeet Dhillon sent a mass email addressing questions about her Sikh faith raised in her bid to become Republican National Committee Chair. The Alabama GOP cast a vote of no confidence in chair Ronna McDaniel. Dhillon is the leading alternative, and she is Sikh.

Dhillon supporters say that a whisper campaign is challenging her ability to champion Judeo-Christian values. McDaniel is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dhillon’s email said that “religious liberty to be so foundational that it is the very first item referenced in the very first amendment of our Bill of Rights.”

According to NBC News, Chris Horn, who finished third for Alabama secretary of state in 2022, said some party members had discussed Dhillon’s faith but that this was not driven by religious bigotry. He criticized her for not explaining more about Sikhism in Monday’s email.

Horn and others interested in knowing more bout Sikhi can find it in “100 Questions and Answers About Sikh Americans.”