2. ‘The Sikhs are to India what
Texans are to America--
generous, outer directed,
loud, boisterous and
somewhat larger than life’
3. The Sikhs
Word Sikh means a Disciple.
Sikhism is a religion and not a
sect or cult.
It originated in North Indian
state of Punjab 550 years ago.
About 30 million Sikhs in the
world & 600,000 Sikhs in U.S.
All male Sikhs are expected to
have ‘SINGH’ & female ‘KAUR’
as Last or middle name.
•
4. 5th Largest & Youngest Religion
in the World
1. Christianity -2 billion
2. Islam – 1.3 billion
3. Hinduism – 900 million
4. Buddhism – 360 million
5. Sikhism – 30 million
6. Judaism – 16 million
7. Concept of Guru in
Sikh Faith
, Guru word is quite prevalent in Indian
culture
• Gu = implies darkness and Ru =
translates into light. One who
enlightens.
• But word “Guru” in Sikh faith is reserved
for Ten Gurus. Nanak, the first one was
born in1469 followed by 10 successive
Gurus in human form Guru Gobind
Singh
• The tenth Guru declared Guru Granth
Sahib, the Sikh religious Scripture as
“Eternal and Final Guru for the Sikhs”
8. Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Sikh Scripture
Compiled by 5th Guru. 1430 pages. All Poetry
Ordained as “Ultimate and Eternal Guru” of the
Sikhs by the Tenth Guru-Preceptor.
.
Writings of 6/10 Gurus of the Sikhs + Several Hindu
Saints + Sufi Faqueers.
Script Gurmukhi, language Punjabi.
Combination of Karma, the action, Bhakti, the
devotion and the Gyan, the Knowledge. Guide for
both secular and spiritual
10. Sikh Gurdwara
Sikh Religious place is called a Gurdwara (Guru +
Dwara).
Guru Stands for Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Dwara
stands for the door/house.
A Gurdwara, therefore must have Guru Granth
Sahib Ji, the Holiest of the Holy Scripture of the
Sikhs.
11.
12.
13. Sikh Philosophy
Sikh faith encourages a balanced way of life
•It recognizes universal truths underlining all
human endeavors, religions and beliefs
•Universal nature of Sikh way of life encourages its
people to reach beyond the differences and to
work together for world peace and harmony
15. Preamble in GGS
Ik Ongkaar
Satnam Karta Purukh Nirbhao Nirvair, Akaal
Murat,Ajuni Swebhang, Gurprasad. Jup
Aad Such, Jugaad Such, HeyBhee Such, Hossee
Bhee Such
One Universal creator divinity. Its name is Truth.
All Doer. Without Fear, Without Hatred, Image
of Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-existent, By
Guru’s Grace. Meditate, True in primal
beginning, True throughout ages. True here and
now, O Nanak ! for ever and ever true.
16. Three Fundamental Principles of
Daily Sikh Living
Truthful honest living by honest
work as Householder
Sharing one’s blessings with
the needy.
Reflecting on God all the time.
18. The Prayer of a Sikh
•Everyday morning and evening a Sikh must say in
his/her prayer
Nanak Naam Cherdi Kalaa
Tere Bhane Sarbat da Bhalaa
•May We keep God in our thoughts and our
spirits be in a state of Upliftment
•May entire humanity be blessed with your
grace/ will
19. The Concept of Equality
Recognize All Mankind as One
The Sikh Holy Scriptures very strongly call for
equality regardless of race, religion & origin or
Gender.
• Maati Ek Anek Bhaant Kar Saaji Saajan Haarey
• Na kuchh Poch Maati Ke Bhaande, na kuchh poch Kumbhaaraiy
•From one clay like a potter, the Almighty has
created its creation in all forms and shapes. Both
the created forms and the Creator are natural
and faultless
20. Concept of
Lungar
•After each Sikh religious service, food is
served from a common Kitchen, and eaten
together in rows.
Rationale was to dismantle concept of u
toun-touchability & high & low caste
prprevalent in India at that time
21. Concept of Equality among Genders
•The Founder of Sikh Faith propagated equality
among the man and woman at a time when it
was a social taboo.
So kieu Manda aakheeaye jit jummay raajaan
• From woman a man is born, to a woman man is
engaged & married. Through woman the future
generations continue. From woman a woman is born,
without woman there would be no one. Then why call
her bad from whom womb come the Kings
22. The concept of Universal-hood
in Sikh faith
•As per dictates of Sikh Scripture
•No ko bairy, naa begaanaa
•Sagal Sangh hum ko ban aaee
•No one is enemy, no one is stranger
•We are in accord with one and all
23. One God Many Faiths
•Sikhs believe very strongly that there is
‘One God but Many Paths’.
Sikhs believe that if one is Christian, one
should be a good Christian and if one is
Hindu, one should be a good Hindu.
24. 9th Sikh Guru Sacrificed himself to
Protect other’s Faith.
Sikhs don’t believe in forcible
conversion.
Sikh history is full when Sikhs
sacrificed themselves for
protecting other Faiths.
The Ninth Guru sacrificed himself
to help save the majority faith of
India from the invaders.
Had he not done so, the religious
landscape of India would have
25. Sikhs Must Serve the Needy
Those who work hard for honest living and then share their
blessings with the needy are the ones who find the path to the
Ultimate, so sayeth Nanak
Ghaal Khayeeh Kichh Hathon Dey Nanak Raah Pachhaanay sey
26. Truthful honest living through honest work and as a
householder,
Sharing one blessing with the needy,
Reflecting on God all the time
Sikh Volunteers Serving the
Homeless at Phoenix Rescue Mission
Earning through honest work as a householder and
Sharing one’s blessing with needy.
27. Five Articles Worn by Baptized Sikhs
A Sikh is to maintain identity with five External Articles of Faith
Sikh’s are given a Unique Identity symbolizing discipline and spirituality
Uncut Hair (Kesh)
SPIRITUALITY
Comb (Kanga)
CLEANLINESS
Sword (Kirpan)
LIBERTY
Long Underpants (Kachehra)
SELF DISCIPLINE
Iron Bracelet (Kara)
GOOD DEEDS
.
28. Sikh Turban
•Not a mere matter of Tradition for the Sikhs. Sikhs
are supposed to wear a Turban all time & not only
on Sundays for a visit to Gurdwara. Women may
wear turban or Chunni.
Turban doesn’t represent fanaticism,
fundamentalism or orthodoxy.
Only the Sikhs Wear Turbans in the West.
99% Chance A Turbaned person to be a Sikh in
this Country.
32. Non-Sikh Turbans
Turban is worn by many people belonging to different faiths.
But they may or may not wear it when living out of their
own culture.
Afghan Men
Muslim Religious Leaders
Hindu Men
Desert Nomadic People
Iranian Leaders
Kaffiyeh & Muslim Turban
33. Large Sikh Population
Out of India
Top Ten World
Cities With A Significant
Sikh Population
1. Surrey Canada 2. Richmond Hill NY
120,000, 42 % 38% of Total
3.Millbourne PA 4. Brampton CA
36% of Total 24% of Total
5.Abbotsford, ca 19% 6. Slough UK 12%
34. Yuba City 11%
Hunslow UK 10% 8.5% City of Ealing 8.5%
Wolverhampton, UK
Sikhs 10.2% of the Total
35. Sikhs in North America
• Sikhs arrived on the Western part of North America in 1880.
• First Gurdwara was established in a small town Golden, BC in
Canada in 1880 about 100 miles West of Lake Louise. The
town sits on Canada Highway 1.
36. Sikhs in North America
250,000 Sikhs live in California alone
In Yuba and Sutter county alone, Sikh owned
family farms account for 95% of peach
farming,60 % of prune farming, and 20% of
almond and walnut production.
November has been declared as California
Sikh-American Awareness and Appreciation
month
37. Sikhs in North America
Sikh children
attend schools
and play sports
with the
descendents of
other great
pioneers from all
across the world
Ajay Singh Banga,
Master Card CEO
Khuswant Singh
Nuvraj Bassi, 6’6”, 290 lbs,
Defensive Tackle, Univ of Ore
Simran Singh, Captain Soccer
O’Connor High School, Texas
26-year old Simran Preet
Singh Lamba has become
the first Sikh soldier in the
US army in two decades
38.
39. Sikhs in WW1
138,000 Indian troops,
majority of them Sikhs
fought in Europe during
WW1.
One quarter of these soldiers
got killed.
Soldier’s Graveyard in France
40. Sikhs in WW1
Sikhs in the trenches of
Gallipoli in 1914
A photograph from October
1914 shows a wounded Sikh
soldier being loaded into an
ambulance in France, still
with his Turban.
41. Sikhs in WW11
Sikhs in the jungles of Burma in 1943-44
Rare photographs of captured Sikh soldiers being executed by a
Japanese firing squad in Singapore.
42.
43. Sikhs in WW l and WW ll
Sikhs wore the turbans on the battlefield in France but their
generation today is being banned from wearing them in French
schools and public places
44. Victoria Cross won by Sikhs
A Sikh soldiers receiving a Victoria Cross from Lord
Mountbatten in 1944 for heroism against the Japanese in
Burma.
45. Highly decorated Officer Pilot Squad-leader
Mohinder Singh Pujji
8 Feet high
Bronze Statue to
be unveiled
11/28/14 at
Gravesend
UK
Served the
‘Formidable
Fighting
Cock’s
Fighter
Squadron
46. Sikhs in the U.S. Military
Practicing Sikhs
have continued
serve in the US
Armed forces
47. Sikhs in the Valley
•At least 2500 families live in the valley
•Sikhs are Doctors, Engineers, Professors, Teachers,
Business owners, Students and Workers like any one
else
•The earliest Sikhs arrived here in mid forties
•They were farmers.
•Raala Singh owned “Singh Farms” in the West
valley. He died in 2003 at the age of 97
•He produced onions, water melons and cotton
•
48. Darshan Singh Teji with
Terry Goddard ex-Mayor
of Phoenix
•
Darshan Singh Teji a
Retired Phoenix City
Executive was one the
earlier immigrant Sikhs
Was recognized for his
work by city of Phoenix
in conserving energy
and Saving money
This was designated as
Turban Power by the
then Mayor of Phoenix
49. Dr. Saini Sikh Memorial Foundation
• Established a chair at UC Riverside for Sikh Studies and
Punjabi.
• Established Memorial Hospital in native village
• Built this Gurdwara Sahib and Dr. Jasbir Singh Saini Sikh
Community Center.
• Foundation has provided funds for opening a cardiac cath. lab at
Thunderbird Samaritan Hospital where two techs are trained
every year
50. Dr. Jasbir Singh Saini
Memorial Sikh Community
Center.
7100 square feet of Western half is designated as Dr. Jasbir Singh
Saini Memorial Sikh Community Center. It has 4000 square feet of a
beautiful Lungar Hall with an attached huge commercial kitchen.
Rooms for ancillary functions include, family room, & senior Center
for the elderly. It could also be used as a Banquet Hall and for other
community related functions with some special provisions.
53. Sikh Victims of Hate Crimes in USA
Post 9-11
Surinder Singh Sidhu
Beaten at his store in
Northridge CA.
Balbir Singh Sodhi
Killed in front of his store
in Mesa AZ.
Pawan Singh
Medical Student was
assaulted at a restaurant
in Augusta GA
Sher J.B. Singh
Arrested off a train in
Providence RI the day after
9/11
Honorable Tejinder
Singh Kahlon (sitting judge
in the Nassau County Family
Court system) Not allowed to
board a plane for 2 days in a
row
54. Hate Crimes Against Sikhs
In the aftermath of 9/11
As communicated in the
Capital Building and on the
floor of the U.S. Congress as
late as September 9, 2003:
“Even today every week in
national newspapers like India
Abroad and News India-
Times, we read reports of
violence and even homicides
committed against Sikhs
working in gas stations,
convenience stores, or
driving taxis”
55. Violent Hate Crimes Against Sikhs
• Sept. 15, 2001 -- Mesa, Ariz.: Four days after the infamous attacks of 9/11, Balbir Singh
Sodhi,
• Nov. 18, 2001 -- Palermo, N.Y.: Three teens burn down Gobind Sadan, a gurdwara (Sikh
temple) in New York,
• Dec. 12, 2001 -- Los Angeles, Calif.: Surinder Singh Sidhi, Los Angeles who took to
wearing an American flag turban after 9/11 out of fear of being attacked, is
• Aug. 6, 2002 -- Daly City, Calif.: Sukhpal Singh, brother of Balbir Singh Sodhi is shot
while driving his cab
• May 20, 2003 -- Phoenix, Ariz.: Fifty-two-year-old Sikh immigrant and truck driver Avtar
Singh is shot in his 18-wheeler while waiting for his son to pick him up. As he is being
shot, he hears someone say: “Go back to where you belong.”
• Top of Form
• Bottom of Form
• Aug. 5, 2003 -- Queens, N.Y.: Members of a Sikh family are beaten outside of their home
by drunk individuals yelling, "Go back to your country,
56. Hate Crime Violent Contd.
Sep. 25, 2003 -- Tempe, Ariz.: Sukhvir Singh, a 33-year-old convenience store
owner, is stabbed to death by Bruce Phillip Reed
• March 13, 2004 -- Fresno, Calif.: Gurdwara Sahib, a local Sikh temple, is
vandalized with graffiti messages: “Rags Go Home. It’s Not Your Country”
• July 12, 2004 -- New York, N.Y.: Rajinder Singh Khalsa and Gurcharan Singh,
cousins on their way to dinner at a restaurant, are beaten by two drunk twenty
years men. The attackers describe Gurcharan’s turban as a “curtain.”
• May 24, 2007 -- Queens, N.Y.: A 15-year-old student has his hair forcibly cut by
an older student at his high school
• May 30, 2007 -- Joliet, Ill.: A decorated U.S. Navy veteran of the Gulf War, Kuldip
Singh Nag is approached by a police officer outside of his home for an expired
vehicle registration tag.
• Jan. 14, 2008 -- New Hyde Park, N.Y.: A 63-year-old Sikh, Baljeet Singh, has his
jaw and nose broken when attacked outside his temple by a man who lived next-
door
57. Violent Crimes Contd.
• Feb. 28, 2008 -- Bryan, Texas: A Sikh man is assaulted in a Wal-Mart parking lot
assailant calling him a terrorist, punched him in the face and head and knocked
his turban off,
• June 5, 2008 -- Queens, N.Y.: A ninth grade Sikh is attacked by another student,
who tried to remove his patka, or under-turban,
• June 5, 2008 -- Albuquerque, N.M.: A vehicle belonging to a Sikh family is
defaced.
• Aug. 4, 2008 -- Phoenix, Ariz.: Sikh is shot and killed while working at a 7-
Eleven. No clear motive
• Oct. 29, 2008 -- Carteret, N.J.: A Sikh man going for a walk is attacked.
• Jan. 30, 2009 -- Queens, N.Y.: Three men attack Jasmir Singh outside of a
grocery store. Racial slurs are heard. A broken glass bottle is used. Singh loses
vision in his left eye.
58. Violent Crimes Contd.
• Nov. 29, 2010 -- Sacramento, Calif.: Harbhajan Singh, a cab driver, is
a attacked by passengers, who called him Osama.
• March 6, 2011 -- Elk Grove, Calif.: Two elderly Sikh men in
traditional garb, out for a daily walk, are shot and killed
• May 30, 2011 -- New York, N.Y.: Jiwan Singh, an MTA worker and the
father of Jasmir Singh, assaulted in 2009 in Queens attacked on A
train accused of being related to Osama.
• Feb. 6, 2012 -- Sterling Heights, Mich.: A gurdwara (Sikh temple) is
defaced with graffiti that includes a gun and references to 9/11.
• Aug. 5, 2012 -- Oak Creek, Wis.: A gunman opened fire in a
gurdwara during Sikh prayer services, killing six
69. Sikhs Don’t Do,& Don’t Believe
Don’t Believe in many gods
• Don’t believe in Idol worship, pictures, graves
• Don’t believe we are the only chosen people
• Don’t believe in Faith inequality. There are many paths but one God
• Don’t believe in inequality of gender. Don’t believe in proselytization
* Don’t believe in priestly class
• Don’t believe in Special worship days. Don’t merely pray for our own
welfare but for Humanity
• Don’t believe in sacrificial food, superstitions, rituals, pilgrimages
• Sikhs are not strictly vegetarian.
• Don’t believe in smoking, intoxicants, gambling
• Don’t believe in cutting hair, Circumcision. Gurdwaras open for all
• Not supposed to pay heed to five evil elements
• Don’t believe in Burkah or leaving householder-life for moun. tops caves
70. QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following statements is correct
• Sikh faith originated in which continent 4. What are 5 Ks
• A. Africa B. Europe A. 5Ks of Sikhs are Symbols of Faith
• C. Asia D. Latin America B. 5Ks of Sikhs are Articles of Faith
2. What makes Sikh Identity unique? C. 5Ks are the 5 scriptures of Faith
• A. Uncut hair, turban & Beard 5. Uncut hair & turban is optional for Sikhs.
• Color C. Accent D. National Origin A. Correct B incorrect
3. Sikhs started to settle in N. Amer. 6. A turbaned person in West is most likely
• A. 25 years ago Approx. A. mid-eastern
• B. 125 years ago Approx. B. African C. Sikh
• . C. 225 Years ago Approx. 7. Turban can also be called a Hat.
D 325 years ago Approx. A. Correct B incorrect
• .
71. Questions.. Contd
8. Sikhism is a 11. Sikh Religious Scripture is called
• A. Sect of Hinduism. A. Bible B. Quaran C. Gita D Guru Granth Sahib
• B. A Cult 12 Sikh Religious Scripture is about
• C. Branch Of Islam A. Autobio. B. Biography C.Sikh Philosophy
• D. Independent Faith 13. Hate crimes against Sikhs are mostly due to
• A. Color B. Accent C. Turban
9. Sikh Religious place is best known 14. The first hate crime against Sikhs resulting A.
Temple B. Mosque C. Gurudwara in killing of a Sikh took place in
10. Entry to a Sikh Relg. place is for A. N.Y. B. Mississippi C. Alabama D. AZ
• A. Sikhs only B. Hindus Also 15. A Sikh prayer always seeks blessings for
• C. Indians D. To Anyone A. Sikhs B. Indians C. All
•
• Prepared by Jaswant S. Sachdev
