SIKHS

www.sikhcoalition.org 1


Sikhism in Brief

• Sikhism is the fifth largest World religion• Sikhism is an independent religion with

no connection with Hinduism or Islam• 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


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.


Articles of FaithMandatory 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 (Religious Sword)

• 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.

• Sikhs wearing it for the last 500 years.

• Under no circumstances can the turban be forcibly removed.

• Removal of turban in public is tantamount to a strip search.


Bhagat Singh Thind, USArmy 1912

Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman


“An American Sikh has been killed, unjustly so. These citizens bring their hearts with them, and I can assure them that our government will do everything we can to not only bring those people to justice, but also to treat every human life as dear, and to respect the values that made our country so different and so unique. We're all Americans, bound together by common ideals and common values.” -- President Bush

President Bush meets with Sikhs in the White House

September 26, 2001


Common Misconception

Fiction: Sikhs are Muslim because they wear a turban and have a beard

Fact: The turban is 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.


September 11, 2001

• Sikhs in America and around the world strongly condemn the recent acts of terrorism and stand united with the American people.

• Sikhs have no connection with Osama bin Laden.

• Sikhs have been donating blood, providing resources and holding prayers for victims of the attacks.


FAA Guidelines on Turbans

• If a Sikh successfully passes through a metal detector, a security personnel cannot ask him to remove his or her turban.

• If a metal detector triggers an alarm and a security personnel confirms using a handheld detector that a metal is present in the turban, the person should be taken to a private area for further inspection. If removal of turban becomes warranted, the Sikh must be provided with a private area and a mirror to retie the turban.


For more information,

visit www.sikhcoalition.org

Documents

SIKHS