the sikh coalition confidential & proprietary 1

1The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietarywww.sikhcoalition.orgwww.sikhcoalition.org


Sikhism in Brief

Sikhism is the fifth largest World religion Sikhism is an independent religion 23 million Sikhs worldwide

— 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


Core Sikh Beliefs

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. Living a moral, truthful and hardworking existence. Selfless service towards the entire Creation. Defending the rights of the downtrodden and

oppressed.


Three Staples of Daily Life

Kirat Karo: work hard and honestly

Vand Chako: share what you have with the needy

Naam Japna: always remember God throughout the day


Articles of Faith

Mandatory articles of faith for all initiated Sikhs

Kesh – Uncut hair Kirpan – Religious sword Karra – Steel bracelet Kangha – Wooden comb Kachehra – Boxer shorts

Kirpan

Karra

Kangha


Kirpan

Mandatory article of faith revealed to tenth Sikh Prophet by God.

Sikhs wearing it since the year 1699. Not a weapon and not a mere symbol. Generally worn under clothing. Reminds Sikhs to fight against injustice and

oppression at all times.


Dastaar – the Turban

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.


Some Sikh Public Faces

Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Artists

Colonel SekhonUnited States Army

Bhagat Singh ThindUS Army 1912

Nuvraj Singh BassiUniversity of OregonFootball Player


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.


CHALLENGES TODAY…..


Challenges after September 11, 2001

HATE CRIMES

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



EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION 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 Reinforcement of stereotypes NYPD “no-turbans” policy

— 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



SCHOOL HARASSMENT

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.



KIRPAN/PROFILING

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


For more information,

visit www.sikhcoalition.org

the sikh coalition confidential & proprietary 1

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