The Sikh Coalition advocacy group held its third annual bowl-a-thon on Oct. 14 at the 300 New York bowling lanes at Chelsea Piers, to raise funds for the rights of the minority community.

The Coalition, formed in response to alleged acts of discrimination after 9/11, drew 280 bowlers and 150 cheerleaders to the event and raised around $65,000. The group, with offices in New York, DC and Fremont, California, has provided legal services to over 100 Sikhs in cases involving hate crimes and discrimination.

Because of the traditional male Sikh’s appearance, with a turban and beard, incidents of discrimination have increased since 9/11. “In the last ten years, we have received thousands of cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination,” said Sapreet Kaur, executive director of the Coalition. There are around 200,000 Sikhs living in the U.S., although it is the world’s largest religion.