Contributors

Over the past 15 years, Harjit’s passion for civil rights has driven him to work on close to a hundred civil rights matters across Australia, building understanding without confrontation wherever possible. This has included:

  • Assisting members of the Sikh community successfully advocate for their rights in their workplace, place of education and other public and private places

  • Providing interactive and engaging lectures and workshops on Sikhi, diversity and multiculturalism to various audiences including schools, government departments, special interest groups and communities all over Australia

  • Assisting various State and Federal government departments better understand the intersection of Sikh practices and the law

  • Successfully implement various state government policies in respect of the Sikh articles of faith

  • Successfully advocated for and implement state law change to better recognise and cater for Sikh articles of faith

  • Harjit was previously the National Director for the Australian chapter of UNITED SIKHS.

Harjit is an Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh who has grown up in Australia since he was 4 years old. Harjit was born in New Zealand and migrated to Australia in 1992. He was initiated in Year 6 (when he was 10 years old) and is therefore able to provide insights from a lived experience when referring to the 5 Ks and growing up in Australia. Harjit is a graduate of Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commence (Major in Professional Accounting). Harjit lives in Perth, Western Australia along with his wife and daughter.

Harjit Singh

Kamaljit Kaur Athwal, also known as Kam, was born in Kenya, Africa and migrated to England in her mid-teens. Kam, along with her husband and two children made Australia their home after a family holiday in 1993.

Kam is naturally guided by her Sikh faith and dedicates her time giving back to the Queensland community. As a director of the Sikh Nishkam Society of Australia, Kam works tirelessly to promote awareness of the Sikh faith and other faiths in Australia. Kam also engages in supporting multiculturalism within Australia and has a passion for diligently campaigning for many social issues.

Kam facilitates information sessions, workshops, and seminars about the Sikh faith, beliefs and practices catering for school students, government departments and Inter-faith groups. These presentations also extend to sessions delivered to the Sikh community, relating to health awareness for the elderly, elderly care, chronic diseases, healthy eating, and well-being.

Given her vast involvement in many areas of multiculturalism with the community, she is often sought out and her feedback is valued. Kam has contributed on numerous publications and valuable resources.

Since 2016, Kam has been an active member of the Toowoomba Interfaith Working Group, where she actively assists with organising and presenting at conferences, presents on radio, and promotes inter-faith work.  

Kam is very much focused on a family life and is immensely grateful to her husband, daughter, and son for their continuing support.

Kamaljit Kaur Athwal