IFCAPS Timeline
13 November, 2010
A Dialogue: Scholars and Communities Respond to Each Other
Event held at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL
The Institute For Conflict and Peace Studies (IFCAPS) and Oakton’s Social and Peace Justice Program jointly organized a panel discussion on November 13 at Oakton Community College. Harvind Kaur Singh Director of Communications of IFCAPS facilitate the program. Dr. Swaranjeet Singh, Executive Director of IFCAPS explain the reason behind this dialogue. Professor Wendy Doniger focused her discussion on the current reaction of Hindus to academic work that is promoted by the new political agenda of India. DR. Pashaura Singh focused his topic on the three main ways – Doctrinal reading, Historical reading and Literary reading – that texts relating to religious communities are approached. Oakton Community College faculty, Students and Sikh community members participated in the discussion panel.
4 September, 2010
A Dialogue: Future of Sikh-Dalit Relationship.
Event held at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL
With co-operation and support from ASSA (Asian American Seniors Association) and Akal Foundation, IFCAPS (institute for conflict and peace Studies) organized, a very well attended function in Palatine village library. The function was dedicated to the sacred memory of Giani Ditt Singh. Subject of discussion and reflection was – Future of Sikh-Dalit Relationship. The discussion lasted for almost four hours. During the discussion Prof. Jaginder Singh Ramdev, Sh. Ram Lal, Dr. Baldev Singh, Dr. Swaranjeet Singh and Prof. Kulwant Singh Hundal expressed their views on the subject.
July 23, 2010
A Dialogue: Sikh-Muslim Relationships in Pakistan
Event held at Pepper and Salt Restaurant, Schaumburg
Institute for Conflict and Peace Studies (IFCAPS) in collaboration with Asian American Seniors Association (AASA) and Akaal Foundation (Chicago) organized a special function in honor of Sheikh Ajhar Ehsan, a most revered person among Pakistani Sikhs. This gathering aimed at increasing mutual cooperation and strengthening love on both sides of the border without any regard to political biases and complaints. Mr. Sheikh Sahib said in a very affectionate tone, “You may come to your religious places quite often. We have kept our doors open for you forever. To pay pilgrimage to your religious places is your right. No one can snatch these rights from you, no matter who rules in Pakistan. We will not let borders come in the way of our relations of love and understanding.” This brief dialog had a long range of uniting hearts and clearing misunderstandings.
Executive Director of IFCAPS Dr. Swaranjeet Singh conducted the stage in a highly appreciable manner. He observed that Sheikh Sahib’s love for Punjab reduced feelings of separation to some extent, however, the battle for saving Punjabi and the Punjab’s soil, a long distance has to be journeyed. Punjabi language is our mother; therefore, it is necessary to become one purposed. This voice is free from the differences of religion, politics and race.
December 2009
IFCAPS Women’s Forum Retreat
Event held at Public Library, Palatine
This one day event was for women of all ages to come together and find resources to help women in distress. The day began with team building exercises and ended with lectures designed to empower women young and old. The Women’s Forum decided it will meet regularly to discuss and find resources for common problems facing women in the South Asian community such as coping with addiction in the home and coping with negative attitudes towards the female child. This first meeting was designed to empower and discover issues that women would like to find solutions for.
November 2009
IFCAPS Memorial Event for June 1984 & Delhi Pogroms
Event held at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines
Dr. Cynthia Kepley Mahmood spoke to an audience of one hundred people. She talked about the issues facing minorities in India with a focus on the Sikhs and 25 years since the 1984 pogroms in Delhi. She also discussed her new research in Kashmir and Post 9/11 reactions. She presented an informative lecture and took questions from the audience. Dr. Mahmood teaches at Notre Dame University and is a foremost scholar on Sikh political issues. She wrote the ground breaking book Fighting for Faith and Nation.
Feburary 2009
IFCAPS released Sach Ki Bani: Universal Message for Peace
Event held at Chandigarh, India.
Sach Ki Bani: Universal Message for Peace book released in Chandigarh, India.
March 2009
Sach Ki Bani Book released
Event held at Oakton Community college, Des Plaines, IL.
IFCAPS released Sach Ki Bani: Universal Message for Peace in USA at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL.
February 2007
Post 9/11 Discrimination against South Asians and Legal Responses
Event held at Sikh Religious Society, IL.
IFCAPS hosted a one day seminar looking into how the South Asians have been discriminated against since the events of September 11th. The Sikh community has been particularly challenged because of the distinct turban that Sikh men wear. Invited to speak was Prof. Georgio Shani, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan. Also, two lawyers, Tejinder Singh from United Sikhs and Amar Bhalla from the Sikh Coalition were invited to discuss the various legal solutions their organizations were pursuing as well as the overall impact of 9/11 on people of South Asian origin.
April 2007
Ifcaps Released Roshan Zameer
Event held at Sikh Religious Society, IL
Ifcaps released Roshan Zameer book written by Dr. Swaranjeet Singh on April 14 at Sikh Religious Society. Prof.Jagindar Singh Ramdev spoke regarding Roshan Zameer and importance of the book in life. Senior member of the Sikh community S. Ujagar Singh Gill released Roshan Zameer book. Roshan Zameer is the first publication of IFCAPS. This book was also released in Panjab, Talwandi Sabo on Vaisakhi, 2007
May 2007
Roshan Zameer Released
Event held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara at Kalamazoo, MI
Roshan Zameer released in Michigan State at Singh Sabha Gurdwara. Dr. Amarjit Singh released Roshan Zameer book.
October 13, 2007
The Role of Media in The Process of Peace
Event held at Barrington Park District, IL
Daljeet Singh, Editor Weekly Amritsar Times and Ajmer Singh was invited to speak regarding the role of the media in shaping public opinion. They focused on the importance of creating positive media images particularly after 9/11.
August 13, 2006
The Future of Panjabis in The Diaspora
Event held at Sikh Religious Society, IL
Colonel Jagdish Singh Brar was invited by IFCAPS to present a lecture regarding social concerns in the Panjab, India. He focused on educating the audience regarding the extreme problem with drug abuse across the state and potential solutions. This lecture focused on the social and economic realities facing the youth in Punjab. Colonel Jagdish Singh is a visiting social activist.
December 16, 2006
Conflict and Peace in South Asia: M.K. Gandhi and Minorities.
Event held at Sikh Religious Society, IL
Colonel G.B. Singh from US Army was invited by IFCAPS to present his recently published book on M. K. Gandhi. His lecture focused on relating unknown facts relating to the Indian leader. He called into question ideas relating to the leader and presented his own research and theories relating to M. K. Gandhi.
June 2005
Third Sikh Holocaust Memorial
Event held at Sikh Religious Society, IL.
During the remembrance of the events that transpired in India in 1984, IFCAPS decided to hold a one day seminar looking beyond the violence that transpired against the Sikhs. IFCAPS screened the documentary Final Solution by Rakesh Sharma, which looked into the religious violence against Muslims in Gujarat and held a corresponding panel discussion with members of various religious communities in India. The panel included Rahul Deepankar, Dalit Activist; Rasheed Ahmed, Islamic Muslim Council; Baldev Singh, Rajinder Singh Mago, Punjabi Cultural Society; Swaranjeet Singh, IFCAPS; and Dr. Amarjit Singh.
October 25, 2005
Sikh Human Rights Day
Event held in Kalamazoo, MI.
IFCAPS coordinated a day long seminar focusing on how Human Rights should be practised and understood in a global context. This was done in conjunction with the Kalamazoo Sikh Society on the occasion of their celebration and promotion of Human Rights. The speakers focused on what Human Rights are and how they should be defended. Speakers included: Meerut Kaur, Voices for Freedom; Kulwant Singh, SRS; Harvind Kaur, IFCAPS; Swaranjeet Singh, IFCAPS; Sahib Singh, Editor of Des Panjab, India.
December 2004
Service & Sacrifice in a South Asian Context
Event held at Harper College, IL
Full day seminar conducted at Harper College. Speakers were invited to share their understanding of key concepts relating to Service to the community in a South Asian context. Speakers included: Dr Jean Marie Kamatali, former dean of Law School at Rwanda, spoke on the importance of the instruments of International Criminal Court; Hardayal Singh, Voices for Freedom; Gurmeet Kaur, United Sikhs; Prof. Joginder Singh Ramdev; Kulwant Singh Hundal, SRS; Dr. Baldev Singh; and Dr.Swaranjeet Singh, IFCAPS.
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