People
New York Mayor de Blasio Proclaims ‘Waris Singh Ahluwalia Day’
CHARLES LAM and RAAKHEE MIRCHANDANI, NBC News
October 19, 2016 was observed as 'Waris Singh Ahluwalia Day' in the New York City.
The city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio bestowed the honour on the actor-designer his continued efforts in countering ignorance and promoting religious understanding and tolerance.
Appreciating Waris’ contributions, Mayor Blasio said:
"(He) wears his Dastar (turban) wherever he goes and so he sends a powerful message to our city, to our country, of countering ignorance, celebrating inclusion and advocating for religious understanding and tolerance in everything he does."
Waris made headlines again in February this year when he was denied boarding on an Aeroméxico flight from Mexico City to New York City for New York Fashion Week. The airline eventually apologized.
"I'm a New Yorker. Having been around the world many times, to many of the great cities of the world on numerous occasions, I can confidently say this (New York City) is the greatest city of them all," Waris told NBC News. "It's given me so much already. I'm honored beyond words and will to continue to uphold the values of this magnificent metropolis."
Mayor Blasio, while addressing a gathering of 400 at Gracie Mansion, Manhattan -- the official residence of the Mayor of the City of New York -- said that any attack on any community is an "attack on all of us".
He added, "We believe that when any ... any individual is attacked because of their faith, because of where they come from, the attack is ... on all of us."
Waris responded:
"As you start your day, with the first step, and all the following steps, as your feet hit the pavement, step forward with love. Put love in all that you do. Exist with love. It's our only weapon against fear. Know yourself as love and know the stranger you pass on the street as love -- not as the other. There is no other. Just us. That's how I do it. With love and empathy. Each and every day."
[Courtesy: NBC News. Edited for sikhchic.com]
October 27, 2016