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Harmeet Dhillon recites Sikh prayer at RNC
Before commencing the prayer, Dhillon briefed the crowds that an “Ardas” is a prayer that the Sikhs say before a new endeavor to praise God and ask for protection. She recited the prayer in Punjabi and followed it up with a prayer in English.
Harmeet Dhillon gives a benediction at the end of the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 15, 2024. / (Photo Courtesy: CAGOP/X)
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Sikh American civil rights attorney and Republican party leader from California, Harmeet Dhillon recited the Ardas (Sikh prayer) in Punjabi at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Before commencing the prayer, Dhillon briefed the crowds that an “Ardas” is a prayer that the Sikhs say before a new endeavor to praise God and ask for protection. She recited the prayer in Punjabi and followed it up with a prayer in English.
“These last 24 hours have been the most intense and yet more prayerful of our lives. I am honored to share with you, my fellow Republicans and guests tonight, a prayer from my faith tradition, practiced by over 25 million worldwide,” said the Sikh from California.
Truly inspiring to see a Sikh American leading the opening of the Republican convention with an Ardaas. This powerful testament to our faith and values fills us with immense pride. Thank you, Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, for this remarkable achievement! @pnjaban pic.twitter.com/dqvEW2VJC0
— Pritpal Singh (@PritpalASCC) July 16, 2024
Dhillon rained peace on the convention as the audience received the prayer with eyes closed, hands folded and heads bowed. She thanked God and asked for his protection in upholding the values of humility, truth, courage, service, and justice for all.
“Dear Vaheguru, our one true God, we thank you for creating America as a unique haven on this earth where everyone is free to worship according to their faith. We seek your blessings and guidance for our beloved country. Please bless our people with wisdom as they vote in the upcoming election. And please bless all those who conduct the election with humility, honesty, skill, and integrity,” Dhillon prayed at the convention.
She praised the ‘chardikala’ (tireless and uplifting) spirit that is seen in President Trump, and thanked God for protecting his life after his attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Who is Harmeet Dhillon?
Dhillon has been a fierce advocate for Sikh rights and is well-known in the Cali Punjabi community.
One of her earliest forays into activism was when her husband was the victim of a hate crime on a NYC bus in 1995. Muhammad, a Black Muslim male, pulled out a pistol and fired, hitting Dr. Singh in the left lung.
Acting as her husband's advocate, Dhillon fought to get the story coverage from reluctant media, as prosecutors were considering pleas to lesser charges due to the fact Muhammad was a Black Muslim male, intoxicated at the time of the crime, and injured as he shot himself in the groin.
Dhillon then went on to work as a lawyer for the ACLU during the backlash turbaned Sikhs faced after 9/11, where she wrote several legal memos and defended several Sikhs who were treated unfairly, as well as others (including some Muslims).
She led and won a long legal battle against the State of California for refusing employment to a Sikh man who wouldn't shave his beard, against then-Attorney General Kamala Harris.
“She did the same prayer four years ago at the convention,” said Bay Area resident Harjit Sabherwal.
Online trolling
After the Ardas at the convention, Dhillon came under fire from a section of those who deemed the prayer "anti-Christian" and worshiping “a foreign god”. Some took to social media to troll her.
“Overall, while the voices of haters can be amplified artificially online,” said Dhillon to The Post, “I would say the vast majority of the response to my prayer by mainstream Republicans has been positive, and I'm grateful for that”. Dhillon expressed feeling warmly welcomed by the Republican audience during the event.
“It was silent. People bowed their heads. It was very respectful,” she told the New York Post. “And when I left the stage, I was hugged and people took selfies with me. Not a single word of criticism inside the room.”
“Our girl did a good job,” said the Indian community as they circulated the video clip amongst their WhatsApp groups.
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