Who is a Sikh

Since 9/11 there is a sharp increase in hate crimes and hate incidents directed at Sikhs throughout United States. Balbir Singh Sodhi was killed on Sep 15th 2001 by someone who mistook him to be related to those who carried out horrible terrorist attacks on our country.

So who are Sikh Americans? Sikh Americans belong to the youngest of major world religions called Sikhism. Sikhism originated in Indian subcontinent over 500 years ago. There are 25 Million Sikhs around the globe making Sikhism world's fifth largest religion. Today there are half a million Sikhs in the United States.Sikhism is distinctly separate from Hinduism or Islam.

One of the other unique things about the Sikhs that the other people are not aware of is the fact that Sikh men share the same middle or last name that is Singh. Singh means the Lion. Similarly women share the same common middle or last name, kaur which means princess.

Sikh Americans arrived at the shore of United States more than a hundred years ago in late 1890s. Sikh Americans have made countless contributions to the United States. Sikh Americans fought in the first two world wars. In fact first Asian American elected to the congress was a Sikh American from California in 1956. Sikh Americans intergrow in the American society. We are working in all fields of professions. We are in the field of medicine, law, transportation. You see a Sikh cab driver as well as a Sikh finance personal. Your local doctor can be a Sikh American.

Most Americans are unaware of the fact that vast majority of men with turbans and beards in United States are Sikhs. Not Muslims or Arabs. Sikhs are not from the Middle East. Their historic origins are in north India.

Sikhs stand out in a crowd based on their distinct outward and visible appearance.The physical visible Sikh identity is described by five articles of faith and the turban. Sikh takes the religious vow to lead a life of physical and spiritual discipline by wearing the turban and five mandatory articles of faith. All five articles of faith are worn by all men and women. Each article of faith is highly revered and has deep spiritual significance. The first article of faith is the Kara which is the steel bracelet worn around the wrist. It signifies strength and unity with god and reminds Sikhs of ideal behavior.
Second article of faith is the small wooden comb called a kanga it is worn in the hair to keep it groomed and represents cleanliness and discipline. Third article of faith is a Kacchehara or under shorts. It signifies self restraint or high moral character. The fourth article of faith is called the kirpan. It signifies a Sikh's commitment to the truth and justice. Kirpan is worn in a sash over the soldier and the side of the waist. Some Sikhs wear the kirpan over the cloths in public view. The kirpan typically has a steel handle and a blade that may be dull. It is kept in a wooden or steel shield. A Kirpan is commonly three to six inches in length. However since there is no precise length of the kirpan the size of the kirpan varies by personal choice. The fifth and last article of faith is the kesh meaning hair and refers to the uncut hair and beard of the Sikh. Sikh men groom their hair into a top knot. Additionally Sikh men either groom their beard or tug under the chin or chose leave it open and flowing.

Turban is extremely significant for Sikhs because its integral part of Sikh identity. It distinguishes Sikh men and it represents honor and dignity. The turban is mandatory for Sikh males and optional for females. Sikh boys typically wear a pataka. It is a small cloth used to cover the head. Patakas and turbans come in various styles and colors that reflect a personal preference. Turban is a long piece of cloth ranging from 18 to 24 feet. It is not hat or a cap that can be removed and put on casually. The turban is prepared and wrapped around the head every day and can take from 7 to 15 minutes to tie. Sikhs keep there head covered at all times. In public the head is covered with the turban while at home the head is covered with a small under turban.

A Sikhs communal place of worship is called a gurdwara. It varies in architecture from large and elaborate to small and simple. Gurdwaras can be readily identified by a triangular orange flag by the property. Inside their are a number of functional areas. Such as a congressional hall, a community kitchen, an eating area and a sunday school. The Sikh scripture is called Guru Granth Saheb. This sacred text is the Sikhs eternal living guru and is regarded with utmost reverence. The Sikhs remove their shoes and cover thei heads before entering the congressional hall or the community kitchen. Tobacco or alchohol products of any kind are strictly prohibited from the gurdwara property.

Above text is taken from the On Common Ground - Law Enforcement Training Video on Sikhism by SALDEF.