RICHMOND HILL, NEW YORK (TIP):  On November 30, 2020 Council Member Adrienne Adams joined Assembly Member David Weprin, and members of the community to celebrate the co-naming ceremony of Gurdwara Street. The co-naming ceremony celebrated the contributions of the Sikh community that remains a part of the fabric of Richmond Hill, Queens and New York City as a whole. Gurdwara Street is located on 97th Avenue between 117th Street and Lefferts Boulevard. “It is important that New York City’s diverse communities see themselves and their varying cultures represented in the historical landscape,” said Council Member Adrienne Adams. “There was no better day to celebrate the co-naming of Gurdwara Street than on the birthday of Guru Baba Nanak, one of the most celebrated Sikh gurus. This is a long overdue recognition for the contributions of the Sikh community and I am so proud to bring Gurdwara Street to our city.”

“Our city thrives from the cultural, civic, and business enterprises that the Sikh community has established in Richmond Hill and beyond,” said Assemblyman David I. Weprin. “I am thrilled that 97th Avenue between Lefferts Boulevard and 117th Street is now formally recognized as Gurdwara Avenue and thank Council Member Adrienne Adams for her efforts in reaching this significant milestone.”

“The co-naming of Gurdwara Street was held within the most auspicious timing,” said Harpreet Singh Toor, Former President of the Sikh Cultural Society. “This acknowledgement of the historic inception of the first and largest Gurdwara on the east coast which established the first place of worship for the Sikh community is a welcomed inclusion to our celebration of the birthday of Baba Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.”

“Gurdwara no doubt belongs to the Sikh religion however today was a spiritual one,” said Rajwinder Kaur, District 28 Community Education Committee Member. “Today we celebrate Guru Baba Nanak’s birthday. The basic motives of Guru Baba Nanak were to shine and rise and give the light of hope. A ray of hope to the whole world conveying that we are one and we are equal. As the co-naming was bestowed upon our community on this significant day, we’ve expressed to the people the belief of oneness, despite our color, race, class and creed.”

(Based on a Press Release)