A billboard in Bethel Township along Interstate 78 rented by a group promoting awareness of Sikhism was spray-painted with profanity and phrases such as “Arab Go to Hell” and “Jesus Saves.”

“We are not Arabs,” said Shivinder Singh Athwal, founder of the World Sikh Syndicate, which rented the billboard. “We wanted people to know where we come from and what we believe in.”

The syndicate has two billboards in Berks County promoting Sikhism.

Sikhs wear beards and turbans, but they do not follow Islam, Athwal said, adding that the majority of Sikhs live in India.

Athwal, who resides in Breinigsville, Lehigh County, said he was told Sunday of the vandalism. He believes it happened Friday night....

Sikhs around the country have been subjected to verbal and physical harassment since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because people believe they are Muslims, Athwal said. [Link]