The Sikh Student Association at the University of Windsor hosted “Turban day” on Monday, March 20th, 2017. This is an annual event put on once in the Spring Semesters across Canadian Universities.
Why “Turban Day.”
During modern times, the turban has been questioned, criticized, and has come under harm from various quarters. This has occurred from within the Sikh community and other areas, governments, religious groups and other organizations.
These include:
- The French ban on turbans in public schools.
- Attacks on Sikhs following the 9/11 attacks.
- General Low esteem among turban users due to vanity, ridicule, and taunting from others.
- The general perception is that the majority of the girls prefer clean-shaven Sikhs.
- Job opportunities are affected by turban users.
- Sikhs with turbans are termed medieval and archaic.
- Sikhs arriving in foreign lands removing their turbans at the 1st opportunity
Objectives of Turban Day
1. Identity
To promote adoption of Turban as a symbol of Sikh Identity and pride amongst SikhYouth and Non-Turban Sikh adults.
2. Values
“No Sikh Left Behind” provides easy ways for Sikh Youth and Non-Turban Sikh adults to stay connected with Sikh religion and cultural roots.
3. Campus-Wide Awareness
To support Turban-Dhari Sikh brothers and sisters and educate other communities about Turban and its relation to their religion.
Turban Day event is promoted to promote Sikh Turban amongst non-turban wearing Sikhs worldwide and educate fellow citizens. The project’s primary goal is to popularize the adoption of Turban as a personal, religious and social symbol of identity amongst Sikhs and our no-turban wearing Sikhs.
The Sikhs believe in the following values:
• Equality: All humans are equal before God – no discrimination is allowed based on caste, race, gender, creed, origin, colour, education, status, wealth, et cetera. The principles of universal equality and brotherhood are essential pillars of Sikhism.
• Personal right: Every person has a right to life, but this right is restricted and has specific duties attached to it – simple living is essential. A Sikh is expected to rise early, meditate and pray, consume simple food, perform an honest day’s work, carry out duties for their family, enjoy life and always be positive, charitable, support the needy, et cetera.
• Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions – good deeds, remembrance of God – Naam Simran, Kirtan.
• Living a family life: A Sikh is encouraged to live as part of a family unit to provide and nurture children for the perpetual benefit of creation (as opposed to living as a wild hermit, which was, and remains, a common spiritual practice in India).
• Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give 10 percent of one’s net earnings to charity.
• Accept God’s will: One should develop one’s personality to recognise the unity behind happy events and miserable events – the will of God causes them
• The four fruits of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam (in the name of God).
Prohibited behaviour
- Non-logical behaviour: Superstitions, or rituals that have no meaning, such as pilgrimages, fasting and bathing in rivers, gambling, worship of graves, idols or pictures, and compulsory wearing of the veil for women, are prohibited.
Material Obsession: (“Maya”) Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Therefore, do not get attached to them.
The sacrifice of creatures: Sati – Widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands, the act of slaughtering lambs and calves to celebrate holy occasions
Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a hermit, beggar, monk, nun, celibate, or similar.
Intoxication: The consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other intoxicants is prohibited.
No priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for any of the functions that need to be performed.
Sikh Students Association U of Windsor Facebook page
Basic of Sikhi.com
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