News & Update

March 22, 2014: Half of Sikh children reported that they are bullied in school, according to a study released Thursday — a number that rises to more than two-thirds if they wear a turban that covers their long, uncut hair in accordance with their religion.

The study also found that the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks are an important factor driving persecution of children wearing traditional garb. They endure bullying rates twice the national average, the report found.

“For two years we got bullied, came home crying every day,” a Sikh student, who is identified only by his initials, LS, said in the report, titled “Go Home Terrorist.” “I was in 5th grade [in California], and my dad took us to a barber shop, and he was like ‘it’s today.’ My mom was crying, my dad was crying.” It was the day he cut his hair.

Cutting the hair is “the most grievous injury imaginable for a Sikh,” Amardeep Singh, the report’s author and director of the Sikh Coalition, told Al Jazeera. “It’s like cutting your arm off, or a leg. Sikh history is replete with stories of Sikhs literally choosing death over having a haircut.”

The bullying against LS continued despite the family’s desperate attempt to stop the harassment, so they moved to Indiana, where they became a part of a larger Sikh community and the bullying subsided slightly.

The study, presented by the Sikh Coalition in a briefing to the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus and the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, surveyed more than 700 students across the country and found that Sikh children had been punched and kicked and had their turbans ripped off by fellow students. Slurs such as “terrorists,” “go back to your country” and “bin Laden” were yelled during the assaults.

Singh, who himself was bullied in school, said the study’s findings reminded him of his youth.

As a child, he was physically assaulted, he said, and frequently called “Gandhi.” The name calling evolved through the years in line with the political agenda of the United States. “During the Iran hostage crisis I was told to go back to Iran, during the first Gulf War I was told to go back to Iraq, and after 9/11 I was called ‘bin Laden.’

“What’s scary is that the dynamic hasn’t really changed much on the ground. The statistics have been yearly consistent,” he said, indicating that the situation could have remained “pretty static” since his childhood.

Singh said the data is “incomplete” because the government does not collect federal data on bullying among Sikh children.

Crude stereotypes of terrorists and damaging media images made their way into the classroom, the study noted. Textbooks refer to Sikhs only in relation to the assassination of the Indian prime minister in 1984, Singh said. And Sikh parents suffer discrimination at work and at airport security, leading to a “trickle-down effect,” said Singh, with non-Sikh children taking cues from the behavior of adults.

The study mirrors a 2013 Stanford University survey, which showed that 70 percent of turban wearers in the U.S. are misidentified as Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Shinto. The study, titled “Turban Myths,” also found that nearly half of all Americans believe that the Sikh faith is a sect of Islam, and that even more people associate the turban with Osama bin Laden.

Thursday’s study also noted that schoolteachers and principals do not make sufficient efforts to curb violence.

“The majority of Sikh children from the coasts to the heartland say that bias-based bullying is a part of their experience in school,” Singh said in a press release. “We need the help of educators, administrators, lawmakers, agency officials, the media, parents, and children if we are going to end this troubling dynamic.”

Upon release of the study Thursday, Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., a Japanese-American who experienced “the effects of ignorance and racism” while growing up in the United States after World War II, pledged his support to “eradicate bullying.”

“As an educator and school administrator for more than 20 years, I have seen firsthand the impact of bullying on our nation’s students,” he said in a statement. “The Sikh Coalition’s study and report reinforces the need for research, attention, and education to address bullying.”

Source: america.aljazeera.com

BRAMPTON— Students at various schools in Peel and Eastern Ontario have organized events to create a greater understanding of the Sikh religion amongst the general public.

These events are being held in March to celebrate Sikh Awareness Month.

The Sikh Youth Federation, along with Sikh Student Associations at high schools, colleges and universities are hosting activities to celebrate the Sikh religion and shed light on aspects of the faith many in the community may consider a mystery.

Organizers hope to answer questions like why do Sikhs tie a dastaar (turban)? Why do Sikhs carry a Kirpan? What/Who is Vaheguru (God) according to Sikhi?

“The events are for everyone,” said Prabhjot Kaur of the Sikh Youth Federation in Waterloo.

A variety of activities are planned at the individual events, including seminars, group discussions, Sikh martial arts displays, turban tying booths and free cuisine.

There are events scheduled at a number of schools, including the University of Toronto, York University, Ryerson and the University of Waterloo as well as Harold Brathwaite Secondary School in Brampton.

“It’s just opening up people’s minds,” said Kaur.

For more information or to find a local event visit www.TheSYF.com/.

Source: Brampton Guardian

I am Harjeet Karan Singh, from Kalkaji, New Delhi. I am an alumnus of Eternal University’s Akal College of Engineering & Technology (ACET) , Baru Sahib, from where I completed my Electronics & Communication Engineering in 2012. I got my job placement at ‘PYRAMID IT Consultants’ as a Software Engineer through the University’s placement services.

There’s a lot more stored in the history pages of my life than described in the aforementioned stanza, for my life took transformational leap by the grace of almighty through the graduation years of my life as I happened to be at Baru Sahib by a chance of destiny, luck or gift of god you may call it.

It so happened, that I had met Baba Iqbal Singh Ji only once before in Delhi, and had little information about the Eternal University & Academy at Baru Sahib. Hence, after completing my schooling, when I was in search of finding a good college, I decided to visit Baru Sahib for once to check out the place that I had heard a lot about previously through others who have been there.

So I went to Baru Sahib for my counseling session at the Eternal University – in no time, I found out that I was in love with the place; and it wasn’t just about the great infrastructure of the college or the motivating counseling alone, it was about everything that surrounded me – the nature, the people, the complete atmosphere & the serenity infused by the presence of the Gurdwara and the children who do ‘Sewa’ there.

I finally took the admission & went on with my Engineering course – throughout the tenure my connection with the place just got more intense, the place and all its factors were adding to my performance & capabilities; plus I could feel the spiritual element getting imbibed into myself. It was at Baru Sahib that I received the company of highly ‘Gurmukh’ people, I feel lucky to have had such a great friend circle – it all inspired & motivated me to take up ‘Baptism’, so later I did ‘Amritpaan’ from Sri Harmandar Sahib – Golden Temple Amritsar.

~ Harjeet Karan Singh

It was his first ever basketball game in high school, and like any other freshman, Darsh Preet Singh was anxious and excited to get the season underway. He looked to the sideline during warm-ups and noticed his coach arguing with the referees and the coach of the opposing team. Darsh walked over to see what was going on and overheard the opposing coach shout: “But he can’t play with that thing on his head! Show me in writing where it says he can play!”

Darsh’s coach—Greg Maxwell—walked over to the bench, pulled out the small whiteboard on which he designed plays, and furiously scribbled: “HE CAN PLAY.” Coach Maxwell continued lobbying for Darsh’s right to wear a turban while playing until the opposing coach and the game referees agreed. Darsh was allowed to play that game.

Starting February 26, the Smithsonian Institution will be displaying the jersey of Singh, the first turbaned Sikh American to play basketball for an NCAA program. He spoke with us about his remarkable journey, including the challenges of traveling through the South and the relationships he has forged with teammates and coaches.

The Smithsonian is honoring you for being the first turbaned Sikh American to play NCAA basketball. Tell us what it feels like to be recognized for this achievement.

Honestly, all of this is still hard for me to believe. It still feels like a dream sometimes. In some ways, I feel like I haven’t done anything special. I just liked to play basketball and made the college team. It’s not that different than so many of my friends I grew up with. On the other hand, I realize that I have overcome a number of challenges and that this is a huge step for my community. From that perspective I feel really blessed to have had such amazing opportunities and experiences, and I feel especially grateful when young children thank me for providing inspiration and blazing the trail. That’s really special to me.

What was it like growing up and playing basketball in Texas?

Believe it or not, I don’t think I would be who I am today if it wasn’t for my Texas upbringing. I grew up in San Antonio with three brothers, and we are all huge Spurs fans. They had a real impact on us as kids, and we would play basketball any chance we could. We played in gyms, rec leagues, pickup games, school teams—whatever we could find. I hit an awkward growth spurt when I got to high school, so all of a sudden I was one of the taller and lankier kids in the school. Our team worked hard and won consistently, and although I was the team captain, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play in college. I received admission to a great academic institution—Trinity University—and I ended up walking on to the team. I began my freshman year as a benchwarmer, at the bottom of the totem pole, and after three years of dedication and hard work, I played my senior year as the team’s co-captain. It was a really incredible experience.

Tell us more about playing at Trinity University. How did people treat you when they saw your turban and beard?

Trinity is part of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and we played most of our games in small towns in the South. Many people in those towns had never met a Sikh, and some people would shout hateful things at me during games. I remember them yelling things like “Go back to your country!” or “Cut your hair!” I wasn’t too affected by these comments because I’ve been dealing with them my whole life. The amazing thing for me was watching how quickly and passionately my teammates would jump to my defense.

There are so many stories that come to my mind from our time on the road together. After a pre-game meal, two guys drove by in a truck and yelled four-letter words and ethnic slurs at me. I just ignored them and kept walking, but one of my most levelheaded teammates—Jay Riola—was so offended on my behalf that he shouted back at those guys. I was really touched that he cared enough to stand up for me. Another time, some guys drove by us and shouted: “Go back to your country, f*****. My teammate Andy did not appreciate the comment and chased after the truck. These moments meant a lot to me because it showed me that my teammates had my back. It really was like family, and these are still some of the strongest relationships I have today.

That sounds incredible. Did you always have that kind of support around you? Or was that a somewhat exceptional case?

I feel really fortunate that I have always had this support around me. My parents are amazingly supportive, and my mom actually made it to every single one of my games. My family and friends were always encouraging, and my teammates never looked at me as being any different or any less. If anything, my teammates have always given me additional respect when they get to know me as a person and see firsthand how I deal with the various challenges that come my way. I vividly remember how outraged my teammates were when they found out I had to get a formal waiver from the NCAA that allowed me to play college basketball. It really gave me a sense of comfort knowing that they cared about me as a person and teammate and that they wanted to have my back.

I was also really lucky to have a special coach at Trinity, Pat Cunningham, who taught me what was important in life, not just basketball. I’ve learned so much about work ethic, caring for others, working on teams, and communicating effectively. I will always remember him as my favorite professor in college. Most importantly, Coach Cunningham helped me realize that being able to play basketball was a real blessing and privilege in the context of everything else that goes on in the world.

~ Simran Jeet Singh, Author of the Story

Simran Jeet Singh is the Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition and a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Religion at Columbia University. He contributes regularly to a wide range of publications, including The Washington Post’s OnFaith, Newsweek’s The Daily Beast, and The Huffington Post. Simran currently serves as a Truman National Security Fellow and the Rachel F. and Scott McDermott Fellow for the American Institute of Indian Studies. Follow him on Twitter: @SimranColumbia.

One of the most special and delicious meals I had during my recent visit to India was in the langar, or community kitchen dining hall, of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The Golden Temple is a prominent religious destination for Sikhs, comparable to Mecca of Islam, built by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arian, in the 16th century.

The langar is open to serve food to anyone who comes through its doors, almost around the clock. Visitors and locals are expected to cover their head, remove their footwear, take cutlery from an army of volunteers and find an empty spot to sit among the rows of hungry people.

This gigantic all-day, come-all-who-are-hungry kitchen is run by 100,000 volunteers.

Financed entirely by donations, the kitchen is busy with thousands of volunteers in each section, doing work according to their assignments. It may not look as fancy as a restaurant lunch, but the meal consisting of rice, chapati, dal, pakoda and lentils was pretty tasty. The plate gets refilled as long as your appetite prevails.

I found the experience emotional and moving because of the principle behind it and the sense of volunteerism exemplified by them. Sikhs are encouraged to spend at least one week during their lifetime volunteering at the temple. Their dedication and loyalty to the principles of volunteerism is unparalleled and unprecedented as men and women of all ages devote their time unselfishly to the cause. Visitors from all over the world come in vehicles, rickshaws, motorbikes and on foot to see the Golden Temple and witness the remarkable camaraderie among the faithful. As one volunteer explained, the Golden Temple is the headquarters of Sikhism and not only a place of worship, but also a rallying centre of Sikh solidarity.

The largest langar of the Golden Temple typically feeds roughly 40,000 people a day for free. On religious holidays and weekends, the langar can feed upwards of 100,000 people a day. Everyone, regardless of faith and background, is permitted in the dining hall. The sense of equality is evidenced by allowing women, men and children all to sit together on the floor as equals, symbolizing that all people are on the same level and nobody is above anyone else.

Another historical place in Amritsar is Jallianwala Bagh, famous for the most notorious massacre under British rule. Located about a quarter mile from the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh is a memorial to hundreds of men, women and children killed by British forces. The incident took place on April 13, 1919, when thousands gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to protest against the repressive policies of the British government.

General Reginald Dyer, on hearing that 15,000 to 20,000 people had assembled, went with 50 Gurkha riflemen to a raised bank and ordered them to shoot at the crowd. Many fell in a nearby well to save their lives. Dyer continued firing for about 10 minutes. The casualty number estimated by the Indian National Congress was more than 1,500, with approximately 1,000 dead.

The memorial, appropriately named Martyrs’ Well, still bears marks of bullets in the wall, dedicated to the martyrs of the massacre.

Every evening before sunset close to Amritsar at the Wagah border, soldiers from India and Pakistan hold lowering of the flags ceremony following a joint agreement made in 1959. Thousands from both sides of the border attend the Wagah border, where India meets Pakistan. At sunset, the iron gates at the border are opened and two flags are ceremonially lowered. Soldiers from both sides shake hands at the end of the ceremony as the gates close.

The beating retreat ceremony is attended by thousands of local and foreign visitors who have to wait for hours in lineups to undergo tight security screening. Indian officials, from whose side I was attending the ceremony, appear to take full advantage of the spectacle to arouse the public with slogans of “Jai Hind” (Hail India or Victory to India,) heightening their patriotic spirits and jingoism. The changing of the guard and ceremonial lowering of the flag, carried out with great showmanship and rivalry, ends with a national anthem.

By – Mansoor Ladha, a journalist, author and travel writer.

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji (1595-1644)

The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Har Gobind ji’s life:

• Transformed the Sikh fraternity by introducing martial arts and weapons for the defence of the masses following his father’s martyrdom.
• Militarised the Sikh movement – carried two swords of Miri and Piri.
• Built the Akal Takht in 1608 – which is now one of five Takhts (Seats of Power) of the Sikhs.
• Founded the city of Kiratpur in District Jalandhar, Punjab.
• He was imprisoned in the fort of Gwalior for one year and on release insisted that 52 fellow prisoners be freed as well. To mark this occasion, the Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas.
• The first Guru to engage in warfare.
• Fought four battles against the Mughal rulers.
• The city Hargobindpur, in Majha region of Punjab, is named after him, which he won over from Mughals after defeating them in a battle.