This year we held our 10th annual Jakara Movement conference.  This year we came together to Remember 1984.

From remembering the past, reflecting on Gurbani, reconnecting with the voices of the people, rethinking the role of the meda, and revering our heroes and sheroes – it was an eventful Friday!  Saturday included recognizing the lessons of 1984, reaffirming our commitment to the Sarbat Khalsa and Gurmata tradition of consensus building, recollecting with our brothers and sisters, reacting to their personal histories, responding to the past, and finally realizing a new reality is possible.

From evenings of recreation to days of reflection, we hope that the Jakara Movement Conference 2009 proved to be inspirational, not only to those participating, but for the greater Sikh Qaum as well.

We write this post as a space for you to leave your comments.  All are invited to share their thoughts – those in attendance and those that may have missed it this year.

Many made commitments during the conference.  We hope you keep true to them.  We hope you remember the lesson of 1984 – divided we fell; united we’ll stand.

It is only as a “collective” that we will build a brighter future for tomorrow; it is only as a united Qaum that we have the power to change tomorow; it is only together,
we are the movement.

PS: Please leave your thoughts and comments – also please take the time and fill out our numerous applications at our ugly website (yes, it is underconstruction) – www.jakara.org

• “Sukhmani Sahib for the Shaheeds” (Jun 2009) Success!
• Jakara Movement Conference (Jun 2009)
  Soon to be Success!
• The Gift of Blood – Blood Drive (Jun -Nov 2009)
  Underway!
• Visions for Truth: 1984 Movie Screenings (Aug 2009)
• Jakara Juniors Camps (Oct 2009)
• “Silent Marches” (Nov 2009)
• “Alliance for Justice Week” (Nov 2009)

Send us a message and get involved.  Also follow the Jakara Movement Blog – j. Khabar – for updates and details!

we are the movement.

At the Jakara Movement Conference 2009, Sikh activists, whose experiences during and after 1984, shaped their desire to engage with their community recollect and recall their stories to the Jakara Movement audience.  Leading activists in groups such as Sikh Research Institute, Sikh Coalition, and SALDEF all participated at the Jakara Movement conference.

Bridging voices of the past, with the leaders of tomorrow.

we are the movement.

We remember Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra and Sardar Sukhbir Singh Osan.

The nation that forgets its sheroes and heroes is a nation destined to be forgotten.

We will not forget.

Parnaam Shaheedan Nu.

we are the movement.

Yesterday is past; today is tomorrow.

Today we move from the past to the present and beyond.  A new day awaits.

But, the conference is far from over.  Today we focused on the past and how it shapes our present.  Tomorrow we focus on the present and how we will define a new tomorrow.

we are the movement.

From remembering events, to engaging with the Gurbani that gave AND gives meaning to our lives as Sikhs no matter what the condition, to hearing their stories in their voices – at the Jakara Movement Conference 2009, we hoped to have given the participants a panorama of the events of 1984.

We impressed the importance of media literacy and the need in our community to develop the lens of critical analysis, not only to combat misrepresentations of us, but to better understand the world around us.  The candlelight vigil draws today’s content to a close through a connection with brothers and sisters lost; and reflection upon our Sikh heroes and sheroes – past, present, and future.

We hope the discussions in the small groups are not confined there.  We hope for continued exploration through the Sikhs’ Kristallnacht booklet as well as through conversations with friends and others.

we are the movement.

Even as this is being live-blogged, the participants are going to get breakast, before they head out to Fresno State.  For those attending, leave your thoughts.  For those not, follow along and make sure you join us in Fresno next year.  Keep on visiting the blog for more updates.

we are the movement.

As June 18th soon approaches, we are excited to welcome you to this year’s Jakara Movement 2009 conference.  As a general reminder, in this email we include some pertinent information that we hope you look over to make your conference experience enjoyable and rewarding.  In this post, you will find information related to: 1) ACLU Meeting at Jakara for Female Participants; 2)Dress Code; 3) Registration; 4) Conference Commencement.

ACLU at Jakara Conference 2009
For female participants attending the Jakara Movmenet 2009 conference, we have organized a pilot meeting with the ACLU as part of their The Religious Freedom and Reproductive Justice Project.  If you will be arriving in Fresno by 5pm, we call upon our Kaur participants to attend the meeting from 5:30-6:30pm at the Fresno Gurdwara. For more information or interest in participation, please send a note to us.

Dress Code:
The weather in Central California can be scorching, often reaching to 100+ F, during the summer, so during the conference we suggest you dress in cool clothes.  Time spent outside during peak heat hours is minimal and all classrooms are equipped with AC.  During evening socials at the park, temperatures are usually in the mid 80s.  T-shirts are recommended or other appropriate clothing.

While at the conference, there is no specific dress code, for our Saturday evening banquet, all men and women are expected to dress in formal attire.  They may wear Panjabi clothes (Panjabi suits, Kurta pyjama, etc.) or Western clothing.  However, for men, if they choose to wear Western attire, they MUST wear a shirt and tie.  No tennis shoes, no hats, no jeans will be permitted.  This dress code for the Saturday evening banquet will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.

For Sunday’s farewell brunch banquet, we advise business casual dress.  Some women opt to wear Panjabi clothing as many parents from the local community are invited to this ending ceremony, however it is optional.

In addition, there is morning kirtan, evening Rehraas, and some events that we recommend having a chunni or ramaal available.  Although some from the Gurdwara will be provided, you may prefer to bring your own.

Registration/Check-in:
Registration for the conference will begin at 5pm and continue until midnight on Thursday evening.  It will commence again at 10am and continue until noon on Friday.  Unless special accommodations are requested ahead of time, 12pm Friday will be our absolute cut-off for registration.  Those attempting to come afterwards will not be allowed entry and barred from all Jakara events.

Start of the Conference:
In order to maximize your conference experience, we ask all attendees to do attend all events at all times.  The start of the conference is at 7pm with an Ardas at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Fresno.  We humbly request ALL attendees to come to the Gurdwara as we seek blessings for a successful conference.

We thank you for taking the time to read the various responsibilities.  Any additional information will be posted on the blog prior to the conference, emailed, or provided at registration.  We hope to make this the best Jakara experience yet.  We look forward to seeing you in a few days in Fresno.  Welcome to Jakara 2009.

Gur Fateh,
Jakara Staff.

Dear Registered Jakara Participants,

Although the conference is still two weeks away, we are gearing up in Fresno and eagerly excited to host you.  This year will be the best Jakara conference ever, as we come together to both commemorate and celebrate.  This year we come together to “Remember 1984”.

We have a number of updates that we wish to bring to your attention.  We will be intermittently updating you about the conference.  This email discusses: 1) artists attending; 2) your chance to share your talents; 3) the “Gift of Blood” opportunity; 4) morning Sangat; and 5) flights and carpooling.

1. This year at the Jakara Movement annual conference, we are pleased to announce the participation and performances by conscious Sikh artists from throughout North America – including Sikh Knowledge, Humble the Poet, GNE’s Saint Soulja, and Mandeep Sethi.  For details, links, and more information.
2. We seek to create a “family-setting” at the conference, and in addition to these talented individuals, we want to celebrate everyone’s talent.  If you sing, perform, make art, write poetry, tell jokes, or even have an idea for a skit, we urge you to participate.  If you have an idea in mind or need any special arrangements, please send a note to us and we will put you in touch with the organizing subcommittee.
3. We are organizing a drive we call the “Gift of Blood.”  Many of our Sikh heroes made the ultimate sacrifice for our community.  To honor them, we seek to aid others and give the “Gift of Blood.”  We hope you will participate and join us in this seva.  If you are willing, please send a note to us and we will put you in touch with the organizing subcommittee. and let us know whether a) you have successfully donated in the past and will be willing to donate again; or b) you have NOT donated in the past, but are willing to try to donate.  We hope everyone participates.
4. Every day of the conference, we open the morning with Japji Sahib and kirtan. There will also be a divaan at the Gurdwara Sahib on Thursday evening.  To maximize your conference experience we urge all to attend.  For many that come to Jakara, this is the first time they get an opportunity to experience Sikhi in the inclusive environment of their peers.  If you are interested in participating or even doing kirtan, please send a note to us and we will put you in touch with the organizing subcommittee..
5. Finally, we are coordinating flights and carpooling.  If you are flying from out of state, please send a note to us and we will put you in touch with the organizing subcommittee. Please forward your flight itinerary.  If you require a ride to Fresno or are willing to share a ride and carpool (we STRONGLY promote being Green), please get in touch with us.

If you have any questions or concerns about the conference, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We can be reached via email or by calling 1-888-JAKARA-1.

We have only a few spots left open at this year’s conference and strongly urge you to do a last minute push of friends or family that may still be sitting on the fence.

For those that are about to take finals, we wish you goodluck.

We are excited to see you in Fresno soon.  We will be in contact again soon.  Best wishes.

Gur Fateh,
Jakara Movement Staff.