Sikh Americans Celebrate Turban Day in Times Square

By Brittney Le
AsAmNews Staff Writer

On Saturday, New York’s Times Square was filled with thousands of people from different races, religions, and nationalities wearing turbans, reports the Hindustan Times. On the 6th annual Turban Day, volunteers from the organization Sikhs of New York tied turbans on visitors’ heads while promoting understanding of their faith and the significance of the turban.

“The reason we are having this event is to spread awareness that people with turban on their heads are Sikhs,” said Gagandeep Singh, one of the event’s organizers from Sikhs of New York. “We explain why Sikhs tie turbans, what a turban stands for. It gives you a responsibility. If a person needs help, a person with a turban is supposed to help them.”

Turban Day began at Baruch College in 2013 to educate and spread awareness about the religion and culture, reports The Indian Panorama.

Civil rights organization Sikh Coalition has reported a spike in hate crimes against Sikhs, claiming that Sikhs “are experiencing an average of one hate crime per week since the start of 2018.” Many victims of hate crimes do not report cases to law enforcement, so the actual number is likely even higher.

In addition, the National Sikh Coalition conducted a poll and “found out that turban causes anxiety among many Americans,” said Rajwant Singh, one of the organization’s founders. “A large number (of Americans) has no understanding what it stands for and they associate it with extremism whereas it stands for equality and harmony.”

Rajwant Singh added that several student Sikh organizations recently held Turban Day at their universities across the U.S., and even more are to come this week.

Turban Day is planned to be held at the California state legislature building on April 12th as well. California is expected to pass legislation recognizing April 14th as Baisakhi, a religious Sikh festival, through a measure introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra.

“Turban Day provides an opportunity for Americans and all non-Sikhs to experience wearing it and familiarise themselves with fellow Sikh Americans. It breaks ice and forms bond with strangers,” added Rajwant Singh.
 

 

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