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Sikhism in Brief
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Sikhism is the fifth largest World religion
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Sikhism is an independent religion
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23 million Sikhs worldwide
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500,000 Sikhs reside in the United States and 500,000 Sikhs live
in Canada
Sikhs came to North America in late 1800s, more than a
hundred years ago
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Core Sikh Beliefs
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There is One God for all of creation, a loving Creator
attainable through Grace.
Loving remembrance of the One God.
All human beings are created equal. Women have
complete equality with men.
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Living a moral, truthful and hardworking existence.
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Selfless service towards the entire Creation.
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Defending the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed.
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Three Staples of Daily Life
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Kirat Karo: work hard and honestly
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Vand Chako: share what you have with the needy
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Naam Japna: always remember God throughout the
day
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Articles of Faith
Mandatory articles of faith for all
initiated Sikhs
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Kesh – Uncut hair
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Kirpan – Religious sword
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Karra – Steel bracelet
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Kangha – Wooden comb
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Kachehra – Boxer shorts
Kirpan
Karra
Kangha
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Kirpan
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Mandatory article of faith revealed to tenth Sikh
Prophet by God.
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Sikhs wearing it since the year 1699.
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Not a weapon and not a mere symbol.
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Generally worn under clothing.
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Reminds Sikhs to fight against injustice and
oppression at all times.
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Dastaar – the Turban
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A mandatory article of faith for Sikhs.
Symbolic of sovereignty bestowed by God,
since each individual is equal in the eyes of
God.
Sikhs have been wearing it for the last 500
years.
Under no circumstances can the turban be
forcibly removed.
Removal of turban in public is tantamount
removing someone’s trousers.
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Some Sikh Public Faces
Nuvraj Singh Bassi
University of Oregon
Football Player
Colonel Sekhon
United States Army
Amrit and Rabindra Kaur
Artists
Bhagat Singh Thind
US Army 1912
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Common Misconception
Fiction: Sikhs are Muslim because they wear a dastaar
(turban) and have a beard
Fact: Turbans are worn in many countries as a cultural
dress however the turban is required to be worn by
a Sikh in order to cover their uncut hair and is a
religious article of faith. 99% of people wearing
turbans in the United States and Canada are Sikhs.
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CHALLENGES TODAY…..
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
HATE CRIMES
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Sikhs were attacked and their property defaced after
September 11, 2001 by persons who believed they are
Muslim or Arab
The Sikh Coalition has documented over 500 instances of
bias since September 11, 2001 against Sikh-Americans
In Mesa, Arizona, a Sikh man and father, Balbir Singh Sodhi,
was murdered in a hate crime.
Elsewhere across the country, Sikh homes have been
defaced, Sikhs have been attacked while driving, and Sikhs
are still being physically assaulted
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
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Several cases of Sikhs being told to remove their turbans or they will be
fired
Before 9/11 employment discrimination was the biggest civil rights issue
for Sikh-Americans, many are afraid that now hate crimes have gone
down, employment discrimination will go up.
Difficulties finding employment
Racial Profiling – law enforcement and the TSA’s new turban screening
policy implemented in August 2007
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Reinforcement of stereotypes
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NYPD “no-turbans” policy
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The Sikh Coalition and Amric Singh Rathour filed a federal lawsuit
challenging the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) “no turban” policy.
Amric Singh was terminated by the NYPD in August 2001 for refusing orders
to remove his turban and trim his beard, both required by his religion
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
SCHOOL HARASSMENT
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Since September 11, 2001, there has been a significant increase in
violent attacks against Sikh students.
Many of these attacks are by middle school children. In Seattle,
Atlanta, New York, Maryland, Sikh children have been the target of
violent attack because of their religion.
In New Jersey’s Marlboro township a Sikh child felt compelled to leave
the country because of violence and harassment by other students.
In May 2007, Harpal Singh Vacher’s hair was brutally cut off by fellow
students at a Queens high school. Prosecutors are charging the
incident as a hate crime.
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
KIRPAN/PROFILING
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Since September 11, 2001, the Sikh Coalition has successfully
defended eighteen Sikhs who were prosecuted for wearing
their kirpans into work, schools, in the car, or in public.
There is no criminal intent in wearing a kirpan. It an article of
faith.
There are exemptions in many jurisdictions for boy scouts or
knives salespersons to carry instruments whose blades are
longer than the legal limit.
Before 9/11, Sikhs were generally not arrested for wearing the
kirpan
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For more information, visit
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