The Sikh turban is steeped in symbolism but its wearers have also been a target of racism.
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The turban headpiece is a marker of the Sikh identity and a symbol of a religious belief system despite a desire to fit in.
However, the average North Americans does not know the difference between a Sikh and a Muslim. Some Americans also associate a turban and a beard with ISIS, the Taliban, or Bin Laden.
I was a victim of bullying and a target of racism.
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According to the Sikh Coalition, the Sikh community has faced increasing levels of hate crimes since 9/11, with many people incorrectly identifying them as terrorists because of their beards and turbans, because what you see on TV and in the newspapers, in pictures and videos are mostly terrorists that wear turbans.”
A while ago a Canadian Sikh man was photoshopped wearing a suicide vest and wrongly identified as one of the Paris attackers who killed 130 people across the French capital.
While this is stressful for Sikhs, they stand in solidarity against racism faced by both religions.
Our Guru’s guidance is that there is no other, there is no difference, there is no better, there is only divine light which shines in all.
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The Sikh is today a very visible entity in North America today; my journey took me as a young boy to Canada.
Here ‘s my own experience of Sikhism.
I was a victim of bullying and a target of racism. Because of that, I momentarily lost my way and then regained it. Here is what it means for me to be a practicing Sikh today, and above all why I wear a turban:
The turban is a marker of the Sikh identity and a symbol of the religious belief system.
By creating the Khalsa– an order of the pure ones, tasked with upholding universal brotherhood– Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru, gave the Sikhs the five Ks in a baptismal rite:
- Kes (long hair)
- Kangha (comb to keep the long hair neat)
- Kara (an iron bracelet)
- Kachcha (shorts)
- Kirpan (sword)
The five Ks are not only a means of showing the Sikh identity but also have spiritual meanings and are powerful symbols of the Sikh faith.
I too explored various paths in quest of my identity.
For as long as I can remember during my childhood, I had long hair and a small turban. That’s how I grew up and that was my belief. As a Sikh, I used to go to the gurdwara (temple) almost every day when I was a child. The gurdwara priest was a very good friend of mine. He taught me how to read Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the holy book of Sikhs). Then I started wearing a turban. I was happy.
At work, if anyone today needs to find me, even if they don’t know me, they just say they are looking for the turbaned person.
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In 1989, I moved to Toronto with my family. I was a teenager entering high school. A new country, a new language, a new culture, and people. Every day I faced new problems as I tried to understand and adapt to my new school, home, and society. Some people made fun of me by calling me names, and some people would touch my turban. At that time I wasn’t able to speak English very well either. I would complain to my class teacher, but nothing changed. Tired of all the problems I was facing, I became very weak and got fed up.
I asked my cousin if I could cut my hair thinking all my problems would go away. So he took me to a barber and I got my hair cut. I felt so sad after I cut my hair, I cried, but it was too late.
From that day, my mind was never at peace. I felt like I was missing one of my body parts. Missing something in my life. I was very troubled.
I became clean-shaven—and any respect I had enjoyed from my fellow Sikhs went too. When I went to the gurdwara, if I had to ask for something, I wasn’t given any attention. People just ignored me. I tried to do everything possible to gain back what I had lost but I wasn’t successful. I was in turmoil—spiritually, emotionally and socially.
I then decided I was going back to the way I was. I started growing my hair and wearing a turban. After a few years, I got baptized as a Sikh. I was happy again. I was at peace with myself. I regained my identity—my Sikh identity.
At work, if anyone today needs to find me, even if they don’t know me, they just say they are looking for the turbaned person. That’s because at work there aren’t a lot of us that wear a turban and it’s very easy to recognize it. Now when I go to the gurdwara, if I need something the sewadar (server) helps me with respect.
The most important thing about wearing a turban is following the way of Sikhism. I am a Sikh and I am proud of my religion. Sikhism has taught me to be pure and natural. Sikhism has taught me to let my hair grow.
I am happy once again.
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Photo: Courtesy of Author
It’s nice to see this page sharing stories of inclusiveness again after so many of anti-religion articles that they seem to love.
Thank you for sharing your story Surjit!
Thanks Chad for your great words
Just wanted to say thank-you for sharing your story.
with my great pleasure , thanks
I have a couple Sikh friends who have been kind enough over the years to teach me about their faith, history and culture. I’m sorry you’ve had to face fear, bullying and racism just because you’ve attempted to faithfully live out your religion’s teachings.
Thanks for your comments, all we can do is try to work together , to stop the bullying , racism, before someone else get targeted ,