The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 1 Sikh Awareness Program April 2004

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 2 Who are the Sikhs? Sikh means “student” or “disciple” Sikhism is world’s 5th largest religion, after Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism 26 million Sikhs worldwide — 20 million in Punjab — 1 million in North America 99 % of the people wearing turbans in America are Sikhs

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 3 Guru Nanak: Birth of a Revolutionary Punjab (the land of Five Rivers) Born in 1469; Village Talwandi Socio-political environment — Land divided by religion — Ruled by invaders from Persia & Afghanistan — Rich exploited the poor — Castes: Untouchables had no rights — Women had no role — Superstitions & Rituals Guru means “Spiritual Enlightener” Spread the revelation across 8000 miles on foot Defender of human rights and equality Tolerant of other’s perspective and freedom of choice Often used metaphor and analogy to communicate

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 4 There is One God for all of creation, a loving Creator attainable through the Grace Loving remembrance and devotion of the One Absolute equality of humanity Living a moral, truthful and hardworking existence Selfless service towards the entire Creation Humility and loving action Defending the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed Basic Sikh Beliefs

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 5 The Sikh Revolution Timeline Columbus discovers America Guru Nanak ( ) Golden Temple Foundation (1588) Adi Granth Compiled (1604) Martyrdom Guru Arjan Dev (1606) Guru Gobind Singh ( ) Martyrdom Guru Tegh Bahadur (1606) Creation of Khalsa -5 K’s (1699) Maharaja Ranjit Singh ( ) Guru Nanak was followed by nine Gurus (same spirit) AD

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 6 Evolution of Distinct Identity Distinct script – Gurmukhi Distinct community - Sangat, Pangat, Dharamsala — Education, — Physical well being (wrestling) Liberation and empowerment of women — Against Sati (widow immolation), Pardah (Veil) — Supported widow remarriage Manji (Seats of Authority) system (22 Manjis) — 4 women bishops and preachers — Collection of money for social/religious causes (daswand) Distinct Ceremonies (birth, naming, marriage) People of the Book — Adi Granth compiled and installed by the Fifth Guru Miri Piri (Temporal – Spiritual) — Sikhs were to lead active lives both in temporal and spiritual realms

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 7 Formalization of Identity Baisakhi 1699 Baisakhi 1699 Concept of Khalsa Concept of Khalsa — Saint Soldier — 5 K’s — Dedicated to service of Humanity Amrit Amrit — A public declaration and — A private commitment Singhs and Kaurs — Caste/Class less society

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 8 Guru Granth and Guru Panth After Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru Spiritual Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib (The Sikh scripture) — 1430 pages — The Gurus’ Experience of the Divine — Also included were consistent teachings from Hindu and Muslim saints — Gurmukhi script Temporal Guru, Guru Khalsa Panth (the charismatic Sikh community)

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 9 Articles of Faith 5 K’s – mandatory articles of faith Kesh – Uncut hair Kirpan – Religious sword Karra – Steel bracelet Kangha – Wooden comb Kachehra – Boxer shorts Kangha

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 10 Dastaar – the Turban Mandatory – not a social or cultural article. Symbolic of sovereignty of humans. Always be recognized and duty bound to offer help. Sikhs wearing it for the last 500 years. Removal of turban in public is tantamount to a strip search. Stand for social justice of all people.

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 11 Gurudwara – “Door” to the “Guru” Everyone welcome Services typically held on Weekends Language – Punjabi Langar (Community Kitchen) Local Contact Information Planned Visits

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 12 Sikhs in North America Arrived around late 1890’s Places — California, Oregon and Washington — British Columbia Farming & Lumber Industry Immigration Barriers by 1920’s San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 1899 Vancouver Diamond Jubilee 1897 Hong Kong Regiment

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 13 Sikhs in America 1920’s – 1950’s — Reverse Immigration — Freedom struggle against British imperialism — Partition of Punjab 1947 bw. India and Pakistan 1950’s – today — End of immigration controls — Professionals, Extended Families — Refugees (1980’s and 1990’s)

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 14 Some Sikh Public Faces Gurbax Singh Mahli First Turbaned Sikh in Canadian Parliment Narinder Singh Kapani Father of Fiber Optics Palbinder Kaur Human Rights Lawyer Baltej Singh Dhillon First Turbaned Sikh in Royal Canadian Mounted Police T Sher Singh Recognized with the Order of Canada

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 15 Some Sikh Public Faces Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Artists Colonel Sekhon United States Army Bhagat Singh Thind US Army 1912 Nuvraj Singh Bassi University of Oregon Football Player

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 16 CHALLENGES TODAY…..

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 17 Challenges after September 11, 2001 HATE CRIMES and BIAS INCIDENTS Misunderstood and Targeted because of their turbans and appearance First 3 months – More than 250 hate crimes recorded Vandalism, assault – verbal/physical, fatalities Balbir Singh Sodhi – first victim of Post 9/11 Hate in Mesa, AZ His brother killed 9 months later in San Francisco, CA Events such as Iraq war continue to affect the community

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 18 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 – airports/transportation and law enforcement 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

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 19 Challenges after September 11, 2001 SCHOOL HARASSMENT Since September 11, 2001, there has been a significant increase in violent attacks and bullying of 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.

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 20 Challenges after September 11, 2001 KIRPAN Since September 11, 2001, the Sikh Coalition has defended six Sikhs who were prosecuted for wearing the kirpan from New York City to Wisconsin to Tennessee. Charges in all six cases were dismissed. 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.

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 21 France: Secularism? On December 11, 2003, a commission appointed by the government of France, issued a report recommending that all “conspicuous articles of faith” in French public schools be banned. These Signs Include: — Muslim Hijaabs — Sikh dastaars — Jewish Skullcaps — Christian Crosses More than 5000 Sikhs live in the greater Paris area alone. This would effectively ban French Sikh children from being educated in French public schools. No French Sikhs were amongst the more than 200 people interviewed in the six month preparation of the recommendation to the French president

The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary 22 For more information, visit Or