Originating from the Sindh region of British India now in modern-day Pakistan, Sindhi Americans belong to either Hindu or Muslim faith. Some belong to the Hindu faith, particularly those who migrated from the Indian Republic.[1] In the 2010 US Census, nearly 7,000 individuals reported Sindhi as their first language.[2] The total population of the Sindhi diaspora in the United States is estimated at over 50,000.[3] The community is spread out over various U.S. cities, with sizable populations on the eastern coast.[4]
US states with significant Sindhi populations, based on the 2000 Census.
Culture
Sindhi festivals such as Cheti Chand are celebrated each year with much fanfare.[5] The American Institute of Sindhulogy (AIS) is a non-profit institute of Sindhology in the U.S., dedicated to researching the history and cultural heritage of Sindh as well as its ancient Indus Valley civilisation.[6]
Organizations and politics
Sindhi Americans are socially and politically active, having formed numerous community and political-oriented organizations. They maintain interest in domestic American politics, as well as Sindhi politics and the wider politics of Pakistan.[7] The Pakistan Peoples Party has a local chapter in the U.S., in which many Sindhis are involved.[8][9] The World Sindhi Institute is a human rights organization founded in 1997 and is based in Washington, D.C.[7] The World Sindhi Congress (WSC) has a U.S chapter which participates in human rights advocacy and the promotion of Sindhi political interests among the diaspora.[10] G. M. Syed Memorial Committee is a group based in Houston, which promotes the ideology of Sindhi nationalist leader G.M. Syed.[11][4] There are also Congress-focused lobbying groups such as the Sindhi American Political Action Committee (SAPAC),[12] and the Sindh Monitor.[1]
In addition, there are multiple community organizations and associations. The Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) is one of the largest societies of Sindhis residing in North America.[13][14] Other Sindhi associations include the American British Sindhi Medical Network (ABSMN),[15] and the Alliance of Sindhi Associations of Americas which consists of various state-based associations.[16]
^ abcChatterji, Joya; Washbrook, David (2014). Routledge Handbook of the South Asian Diaspora. Routledge. ISBN 9781136018244.
^"US Census 2010 (see row# 69)". U.S. Census Bureau. Table 1. Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over for the United States: 2006-2008
^Alfonso, Carolin; Kokot, Waltraud; Tölölyan, Khachig (2004). Diaspora, Identity and Religion: New Directions in Theory and Research. Routledge. ISBN 9781134390359.
