SIKHS I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to share a little about our background as Sikh Americans. With the recent attacks on September 11, Sikh Americans have also been shocked and share in the pain with other fellow Americans during these tragic events. As a result of the current events in the world, there have been a lot of questions as to who not only Sikhs are, but various other religions and cultures from around the world. As Sikh-Americans, we have decided to take a proactive step by informing our fellow Americans and neighbors exactly who Sikhs are and what the founder of our faith believed in, in an attempt to enhance awareness and decrease ignorance.

Sikhism is the fifth largest World religion 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 In sheer numbers, fifth largest religion. Approximately 500,000 in the US.

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 Nuvraj Singh Bassi University of Oregon Football Player Sikhs have served in various positions across the world including WWI and WWII. In fact, the British demanded that Sikh soldiers wear their turbans as uniforms knowing it gave them so much courage, strength, and valor. Sikhs have also made themselves an integral part of North American Society - RCMP has integrated the Sikh uniform into it's uniform for over a decade, paving way for Sikhs to serve in the RCMP - College Football now has a Sikh Football player. Colonel Sekhon United States Army Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Artists Bhagat Singh Thind US Army 1912

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….. Open to the audience what challenges they think Sikhs face in USA today? The nexy few slides are about real incidents of racism and hate crimes which were reported to the Sikh Coalition.

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

Challenges after September 11, 2001 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 Sikh says fast-food boss banned 'diaper' on head By MARINA JIMENEZ From Thursday's Globe and Mail Hardip Singh Brah, 56, will tell a news conference in Edmonton that a local Subway representative called his religious head covering "a diaper on his head" and forbade him from wearing it .

Challenges after September 11, 2001 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.

Challenges after September 11, 2001 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 We thank you very much for this opportunity to inform all of you about our faith and traditions and share our experiences as Sikh Americans. We have handouts, listing references and resources, for those who may be more interested. We have a packet containing our articles of faith, should anyone want to see them. Any questions?