Prayer room for Sikhs at JFK airport

NEW YORK: Sikhs will now have a prayer room at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York to facilitate the increasing numbers of travellers from the community.

The Port authority, which manages the airport, has agreed to provide space for setting up a prayer room for Sikhs on the lines of the facility provided to people from other faiths.

United Sikhs, an umbrella organisation of the community, said on Tuesday that Susan Baer, general manager Aviation JFK, has agreed on the need for such a facility at the airport.

The meeting was convened by Assemblyman Rory Lancaman and coordinated by United Sikhs Multi-Faith coordinator Amarjit Singh.

The airport is located in New York's suburbs, Queens, which has a large chunk of Indian population.

"The Sikh community is a growing population in Queens. They travel regularly. Sikhs travellers deserve a place to worship at JFK airport alongside those currently set aside for other faiths. I am very pleased that the Port authority has committed to work with the community to obtain this goal," Lancman said.

Community Services director of United Sikhs Balbir Kaur said: "Most airports have 'meditation rooms', which the passengers use for praying. We are very pleased that the Port Authority recognises the need for prayer facilities for the Sikhs."