Your
Sikh
Neighbors
Who Are Sikhs?
Articles of Faith
Kesh - uncut hair: Sikhs do not cut hair or
beards to remain in the image that god gave us
Kuchha – under-shorts (boxers) to represent
modesty and fidelity
Kanga - comb, made of wood - to keep uncut
hair neat and clean
Kara - bracelet, made of steel worn on right
hand –a reminder of noble actions, a symbol of
eternity
Kirpan - ceremonial small blunt knife
symbolizing freedom, liberty and justice
Sikh Turbans
Mideast headcoverings different
99% of people with turbans in US are Sikhs,
not Muslims or Hindus
Covers long, uncut hair
Approx. 15 feet of cloth wrapped neatly
around the head every time it is put on
Symbolizes discipline, integrity, humility, and
spirituality
Religious requirement - must be worn at all
times in public
Importance of Identity
Sikhs feel severely humiliated if asked to remove
their turban in public, as this breaks a sacred
covenant with god and exposes an intimate part of
the body
It is very insulting and disrespectful to a Sikh to
remove his or her turban
Turbans are a mandatory part of Sikh faith
A turban is not a hat. It cannot be casually taken on
and off. It must be carefully retied each time it is
removed
Treat the turban with respect
Historical Origins
Sikhism
CHINA
IRAN
• 22 million Sikhs worldwide
• 20 million Sikhs in India
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
INDIA
INDIA
Guru Nanak
•Founded Sikhism
•Born in 1469
•10 Gurus provided
spiritual guidance
•Guru Nanak founded
Sikhism based on
equality and justice for
all
Golden Temple
Golden Temple,
Amritsar
Harmandir Sahib—1588
Fifth Guru
Sentiment of Sikhs
Symbol of strength &
endurance
Survived tyrannical raids
Guru Gobind Singh
•Father Martyred to protect the
Hindus
•Created the Sikh Nation: Khalsa
– legion of the pure with
Saint/Soldier qualities to protect
anyone from oppression and
injustice
•Amrit - Sikh Baptism Ceremony in
1699
•Prescribed the 5 Articles of Faith
•Declared Guru Granth Sahib as
the eternal Guru and ultimate
Beliefs of the Sikhs
One god/creator
 All humans created equal
Goal is to be one with god
Human life a precious blessing
All carry a spark of divine light: consequently no race,
pigmentation, gender, is intrinsically superior to
others
Defenders of social and spiritual justice,
Truth, fearless,non-hateful spirit are important in
attaining salvation
Beliefs of the Sikhs
Freedom of speech, religion
Equal rights in all walks of life for all persons of all faiths
and external looks
 Note that many countries still ask require religion,
race, or nationality on employment applications
• Elsewhere, people discriminate based on looks
 Compensation based on merit rather than outward
differences
Justice and liberty for all
Origin of universe is from one light source
 Life is by god’s evolution
 There are many planets, solar systems and galaxies
Values & Practices
Seva: Daily selfless service to humanity
Vand Chakna: sharing with others
Langar: Community Kitchen,
 An expression of service to community
Kirat Kamaiyee: Honest Labor
 Honest earnings by hard work
 Do not become burden on the
society
Daily Prayers & Meditation
 No passive mediation
• Maintain channel of knowledge by
actively engaging in the society.
• Prevent stagnation of social and
intellectual skills
Introspection connect now, don’t wait for later
Bhai Kanyia
pioneer of the Red Cross &
humanitarian aide organizations
Respect for All
Protectors of social and spiritual justice for ALL
Believers of non-violence
Equality of all religions
 Give relevance to god rather than religion
 Believers of interfaith diversity
Equality of persons
 Social, spiritual, political rights for all women
GURDWARA (Place
of Worship)
Guru Granth Sahib
Nishan Sahib
Architecture
© 2001 Sikh Communications Council, Inc.
Inside the Gurdwara
All welcome
Hymns
Heads covered
Shoes removed
Sit on floor; meditate
Community kitchen
Gurdwara Functions
Education
 Initially schools were started in Gurdwaras. Now Khalsa schools are held in
Gurdwaras, where religion, language, history, art, and other subjects are taught
Shelter for stomach, mind, and soul
 Community kitchen: shelter from hunger
 Tranquility: safe place to stay to travelers
 Prayers, meditation, & introspection for soul
Implementation of equality
 4 doors: one on each side
• Open to all persons without from all directions, religions,
• Even the holiest Sikh shrines are open to persons of all
faiths
September 11, 2001
Sikhs grieve with America. Like
many, Sikhs lost friends, loved
ones and colleagues
Sikhs unequivocally condemn the
recent terrorist attacks
Sikhs continue to donate blood,
food, and money, and participate
in memorial services
At the WTC, Sikh doctors were
first on the scene helping save
lives
First to Help
Dr. Navinderdeep Singh Nijher,
a fourth year resident
Set up the first triage center at
ground zero, just in front of one
of the collapsed towers.
He also helped organize a
makeshift morgue in the lobby
of the American Express
building.
An American Hero?
Dr Nijher stayed until 2 a.m., mostly treating injured firefighters
who had been pulled from the rubble. From there, he went back
to the hospital, slept for an hour, and reported for his regular shift
at 6 a.m.
A Hero’s Welcome?
"Every person was staring at me"
"People were saying 'There goes one of them now.'
Someone yelled 'Go back to your own country!'"
Mesa, Arizona
Balbir S. Sodhi
Former Bay Area Resident
Small Businessman
Why?
"On Sept. 11, America was attacked from abroad,"
said Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley
"However, with the murder of
Mr. Sodhi, we have now
been attacked from within."
Facts
More than 200 Incidents against Sikhs alone
have been reported since Sept 11th
Swaran Kaur Bhullar's car was idling at a red light when
two men on a motorcycle pulled up beside her, yanked
open her door and shouted, "This is what you get for what
you've done to us!"
And then, "I'm going to slash your throat!"
She was stabbed in the head at least twice before the men,
hearing a car approach, sped off.
Victims of Sept 11
Victims: Sikhs have been victims of a
hate backlash and harassment because
of their appearance
Profiling: Sikhs have been victims of
racial profiling at airports & on highways
Discrimination: harassment, racial
profiling and employment discrimination
is making it much harder for Sikhs to
wear turbans and other articles of faith a basic constitutional right
Mr. Balbir
Sodhi was
killed in
Arizona
Why Are Sikhs Targets?
HATE
BLIND RAGE
IGNORANCE
MISCONCEPTIONS
Similarities?
19 Terrorists
0 with Turbans
0 with Beards
0 were Sikhs
Where is the cause for concern?
Similarities?
Head Coverings?
Compare the Turbans
Muslim Headcoverings
Mideast headcoverings
different
Not a mandatory religious
requirement
Very rarely seen in the
western hemisphere
Viewed as passé by some
Muslims
Summarizing
Questions?