Integrity, Generosity and Gratitude are Hallmarks of the Central Valley’s Sikh Community

Over twenty million Sikhs follow a revealed, distinct, and unique religion born five centuries ago in the Punjab region of northern India. Between 1469 and 1708, ten Gurus preached a simple message of truth, devotion to God and universal equality. Often mistaken as a combination of Hinduism and Islam, the Sikh religion can be characterized as a completely independent faith.

Three basic tenets of Sikhism are living an honest life, sharing with those in need and thanking God. Since arriving in the Central Valley in the early 1900s, Sikh immigrants and their commitment to these values have shaped our community.

Many of the first Sikhs in our community were farmers who settled in rural areas around Kerman, Caruthers and Selma. Migration increased after World War II and surged again in the 1980s, when political unrest in Punjab pushed thousands into exile.

In 1912, the first Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, in the United States was established in Stockton, CA. Today, the Central Valley is home to around 15 Gurdwaras, each serving as a community hub open to all, regardless of race or religion.

“It’s not about how we’re different. It’s what makes us one,” said Amber Kaur, a volunteer passing out information at Fresno’s Sikh Temple on a recent Sunday. It’s a sentiment widely shared among those in the community.

At the Gurdwaras, that philosophy translates into a wide range of programs from training in trades and workforce development to vision-board workshops and art classes. At Fresno’s Gurdwara, leaders are expanding health and mental health services and addressing emerging needs, such as providing safe spaces for people experiencing trauma.  Leaders say these offerings are designed not only for Sikhs but for the broader community.

“Education helps bridge the gap for immigrants and others to learn how to navigate confusing, sometimes contradictory processes,” said Gurminder Sangha, who coordinates community outreach. He describes the Gurdwara as a place where information is democratized, and newcomers can learn how to access resources, understand systems and build stability.

Gurminder Sangha serves as the Community Learning Center Organizer at the Sikh Institute Fresno. The Center, through education, professional development and wellness, strives to provide the resources and support necessary for personal and communal growth.

Integrity and trust, he adds, are central to that work. “If you don’t have trust, you don’t have influence,” he said.

That ethic is also visible in the community’s current fundraising effort: building basketball and tennis courts on Gurdwara grounds. Rather than seeking outside funding, families are contributing themselves, following the Sikh tradition of seva—selfless service performed without expectation of reward. “It’s about giving not taking,” said Sangha. “We, as a community, do not want to be dependent on other people for materialistic needs.”

The courts are part of a broader vision to strengthen the Gurdwara as a community anchor, especially for youth. Leaders say the goal is to create a space where young people can gather, play, learn and stay connected to their cultural and spiritual roots.

Male members of the Sikh religion use the name, Singh (lion), as their middle or last name, while females use the name, Kaur (princess). Sikhs tend to be industrious and pioneering; this accounts for their general success wherever they live and settle. The hard-working nature of the Sikhs is derived from their religion, which can be best characterized as a faith of unlimited optimism.

As the Valley continues to grow and diversify, Sikh leaders say they are committed to sharing who they are with their neighbors through service, civic engagement and the open-door tradition of the Gurdwara, where all are welcome.

To learn more about the Sikh community and their important impact on the Central Valley, visit the Sikh Institute of Fresno and Sikh Oral History Project | ValleyHistory

This story is part of the Central Valley Community Foundation’s “Sixty Stories That Shaped Us” initiative to help mark 60 years since our founding. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and this special place we call home. To learn more, visit centralvalleycf.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @centralvalleycf.