Sikhism

Report Reveals Sikhs Share Rights Issues Around the World

March 17, 2009

Author: Anju Kaur

Source: Sikh News Network

[sikhnn.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=660&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0]

A comprehensive report on the state of civil rights of the Sikh nation shows the scope of shared discrimination that Sikhs face around the world is greater than previously thought.

The ‘First Global Sikh Civil Rights Report 2008,’ released in December by United Sikhs at the first global civil rights conference in New York, documents...

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Sikhs Raise Awareness About Their Religion At TCU

March 13, 2009

Author: Gene Trainor

Source: Star-Telegram

[star-telegram.com/religion/story/1255823.html]

Texas Christian University senior Brittany Heminger sat still as a symbol of the world’s fifth-largest religion was wrapped around her head.

Heminger said her turban and the accompanying discussion was a chance to change some of her misconceptions that people who wear turbans are likely from the Middle East.

"I think it’s cool," she said. "I’m kind of interested to see how people look at me when...

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North Texas College Students Try On Turbans, New Perspectives

March 12, 2009

Author: Jessica Meyers

Source: The Dallas Morning News

[dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/031209dnmetturbans.34a74fc.html]

The line outside the University of Texas at Arlington's library this week wasn't for intramural sign-up, a spring break travel package or even hot dogs sold off the grill for a fraternity fundraiser.

Sikh volunteers swirled blood-red, neon orange and aquamarine cloth around the heads of students as they explained why an item intended to distinguish the...

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Courts, Jail Adjust to Religious Custom

March 8, 2009

Author: David Hench

Source: Portland Press Herald

[pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=243829]

For many Muslim women, being seen in public with one's head uncovered is a violation of religious tenets as well as an embarrassing display of immodesty.

Head coverings also can be, to varying degrees, important to Jews, Sikhs and people of other faiths.

But that obligation has collided with security concerns and cultural standards prevalent in American courts and prisons, where removing...

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Hindu Families From Pak Seek Refuge In India

March 7, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Hindu-families-from-Pak-seek-refuge-in-India/articleshow/4239397.cms

Stating that they do not wish to return to Pakistan due to Taliban's tyranny in the tribal areas, a group 35 Hindus, nearly half of them women, from the neighbouring country have crossed over to India and asked the government to allow them to...

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‘Launch Programs to Educate People About Sikhism’

March 6, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: India Journal

[indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=6163]

US-based Sikh advocacy group has demanded instituting educational programs in schools, government offices and private sector to sensitize students and employees about Sikhism, as the community faces global discrimination for their articles of faith including Turban and Kirpan.

“The civil rights issues facing the Sikh community vary in severity from country to country but the overall themes of discrimination...

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Sikh Traveler Alleges Humiliation At LAX

March 6, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: India Journal

[indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=6165]

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has called upon the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to investigate allegations of bias-based harassment and inappropriate touching of a Sikh American traveler by TSA officials at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on the night of February 5.

Mr. Singh, whose full name is being kept confidential at this time, passed through a metal detector...

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Sikhs Take Up French Turban Rights Issue

March 5, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The News

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=165786

Indian Sikhs urged the government on Wednesday to ask France to withdraw a ban on wearing turbans in public schools, officials said.

The Sikh religion requires followers to grow their hair and wear a turban, while children must wear traditional Sikh headgear called the “patka” or “dastaar” in school.

France banned...

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First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference – Part I

March 4, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Global Sikh News

[sikhsangat.org/1469/2009/03/first-global-sikh-civil-rights-conference-–-part-i/]

Two weeks ago, the Global Sikhs News (SikhSangat.org) was approached by UNITED SIKHS for participation in a Sikh Civil Rights Forum telephone conference call. After having observed the output from the First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference from December 13-December 15, 2008, we gladly joined the call. In a previous report by the Global Sikh News, we covered the...

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California Lawmaker Works With Coalition to Propose Law Mandating Kirpan Education

February 26, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Sikh Coalition

[sikhcoalition.org/advisories/CAKirpanBill.htm]

A proposed law to mandate kirpan education for California's peace law enforcement officers was introduced by Assembly Member Warren Furutani (D-Long Beach) in the California State Legislature this week. Since November 2008, the Sikh Coalition has been working alongside state lawmakers and law enforcement representatives to draft this legislation. Were it to pass, this would be the first law pertaining...

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Assemblyman Introduces Bill for Police Training On Sikh Faith

February 26, 2009

Author: Corina Knoll

Source: The Los Angeles Times

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/02/assemblyman-war.html

Assemblyman Warren Furutani recently introduced legislation that would require police officers to receive instruction about the Sikh faith, whose members carry blades as part of their religion.

The Sikh religion requires practitioners to carry five articles of faith, including a kirpan, which resembles a small...

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Interfaith Gets First Sikh Woman Chief

February 26, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Global Sikh News

[sikhsangat.org/1469/2009/02/interfaith-gets-first-sikh-woman-chief/]

Interfaith Conference (IFC), a Washington-based organisation that represents 11 religions, has elected former Chandigarh resident Amrit Kaur, as its first Sikh woman president.

Created in 1978, Interfaith aims to promote dialogue, understanding and a sense of community among people of diverse faith and work cooperatively for social and economic justice.

Amrit, a banker,...

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Sikh Teenager's Documentary to Be Screened In Hollywood

February 25, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Indians-Abroad/Sikh-teenagers-documentary-to-be-screened-in-Hollywood/articleshow/4187256.cms

A 36-minute documentary by a Sikh teenager, Angad Singh, has been selected for screening at the International Family Film Festival being held in Hollywood from February 26 to March 1.
...

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'Feed the Hungry' Campaign Brings Winter Solace to Homeless In Toronto

February 23, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Sikh Net

http://www.sikhnet.com/news/feed-hungry-campaign-brings-winter-solace-homeless-toronto

On the crisp cold morning of 20th February, the Parkdale Recreation Centre of downtown Toronto was filled with volunteers wearing a dastaar (a Sikh turban), who were serving hot-meals and distributing warm clothes. Over twenty-five United Sikhs volunteers were at the recreation centre to feed...

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