1. Who Are the Sikhs?

2. The Game Plan  The Basics  Key Beliefs  Quick Sikh History  Origins  Gurus  Immigration to United States  Sikh Symbols, The Turban  Experience Post-9/11  Sikhism Today

3. Sikhism: The Basics  A Distinct Religion  Different from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha’i, etc.  Founded in late 1400s by Guru Nanak in what is today North India  Has its own holy scripture, written by the founder and succeeding Gurus  There are about 500,000 Sikhs in the U.S., and an equal number in Canada  22 million Sikhs worldwide  World’s 5 th largest religion (World Almanac)

4. Sikhism: Key Beliefs  One God  Universal Equality—gender equality & equality between all people  Community Service  Helping Anyone in Need  Respect for Other Faiths  No drugs, alcohol  No rituals, superstitions, idols  Point of life: Get Closer to God

5. Historical Origins of Sikhism 22 million Sikhs worldwide 20 million Sikhs in India INDIA CHINA INDIA

6. Guru Nanak   Born in 1469 near Lahore, India   Born into in environment of Caste System & Oppression   Established beliefs of the Sikh faith   Guru means teacher   Sikh means disciple or student © 1997, Maboli Systems, Inc.

7. Golden Temple Golden Temple, Amritsar, India aka Harmandir Sahib (1588) Holy Site founded by 5 th Guru

8. Guru Gobind Singh Tenth Guru April 1699—Khalsa Initiation: Amrit Articles of Faith: 5 “K”s Singh/Kaur © 1997, Maboli Systems, Inc.

9. 1430 pages Gurmukhi Written By Sikh Gurus © 1997, Maboli Systems, Inc. Guru Granth Sahib

10. Sikhs in the United States & New Jersey  Sikh Americans join American society without giving up religious beliefs and values  First Sikh Immigrants to US in late 19 th Century, California Farmers  Sikh house of worship called “Gurdwara”  Several Gurdwaras in New Jersey (Glenrock, Bridgewater, two in Carteret, East Windsor, Lawrenceville, Deptford, Burlington Township)  10,000 Sikhs in New Jersey  Visitors Welcome (covered head, shoes removed)  Free meals at all times. (Langar)

11. 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 sword. Symbolizing freedom, liberty and justice, and the defense of anyone weak or oppressed.

12. Sikh Turbans  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  King’s Crown  Why do other people wear turbans?

13. 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

14. Dr. Navinderdeep Singh, 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. First to Help

15. 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. An American Hero?

16. "Every person was staring at me" "People were saying 'There goes one of them now.' Someone yelled 'Go back to your own country!'" A Hero’s Welcome?

17. Balbir S. Sodhi Former Bay Area Resident Small Businessman 1949-2001 9/15/01: Mesa, Arizona

18. 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."

19. Victims of Sept 11  Victims: Sikhs have been victims of a hate backlash and harassment because of their appearance (100s of hate crimes)  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

20. Sikhism Today – 4/23/03  Though violent attacks have subsided, discrimination & hatred still persist  Young Sikhs in schools have been targets of ignorance & violence  What can you do to help?

21. Take Home Message  Sikhism is a distinct religion.  Sikh values of freedom, hard work, helping the needy and defending the oppressed fall perfectly in line with American ideals.  Sikhs believe in One God, like many other faiths, and are proud to be Americans.

22. Resources on the Net  www.sikhs.org  www.sikhmediawatch.org  www.sikhcoalition.org  www.sikhnet.org  www.sikhcommunications.com  www.sikheducation.com  www.come.to/sikhsabha  www.sikhfoundation.org

23. Acknowledgments Presentation compiled by Savraj Singh ’03 (savraj@princeton.edu) for the Marlboro School District, April 23, 2003. Sources: Presentations created by Jasbir Singh of Maboli Systems, The Sikh Mediawatch & Resource Task Force, Sutinder Singh Dhanjal of Sikh Sabha, Amardeep Singh, SikhEducation.com, and SikhCommunications.com.