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9 Rutgers J. L. & Religion 1 (2007-2008)
The Sikh Turban: Post-911 Challenges to This Article of Faith

handle is hein.journals/rjlr9 and id is 293 raw text is: RUTGERS JOURNAL OF LAW AND RELIGION Volume 9.2 Spring 2008 THE SIKH TURBAN: POST-911 CHALLENGES TO THIS ARTICLE OF FAITH Neha Singh Gohil1 Dawinder S. Sidhu2 Turbans have been worn by different people around the world for at least the past 3,000 years. For one community, the Sikhs, the turban carries deep religious significance. Members of the Sikh faith-the fifth largest religion in the world-are required to wear a turban pursuant to religious mandate. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Sikh turbans have taken on a new meaning. Because non-Sikhs tend to associate Sikhs' turbans with Osama bin Laden, Sikhs with turbans have become a superficial and accessible proxy for the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. As a result, turbaned Sikhs in America have been victims of racial violence and have had their identity challenged by calls for immigrant groups to assimilate into Western societies. This essay examines how the turban has transformed from a sacred piece of attire for Sikhs to a target for discriminatory conduct and an object of marginalization after 9/11. Part I provides an introduction to Sikhism, which originated in 17th century South Asia, and discusses the religious significance of the Sikh turban. Part II examines incidents of discrimination in several contexts involving turbaned Sikhs in America. Part III analyzes the debate surrounding assimilation that has been taking place in the West, which implicates conspicuous articles of faith, including the Sikh turban. The essay also explores the legal remedies available to turbaned Sikhs affected by discriminatory conduct or by broader policies on the wearing of turbans. 1 M.S., Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; J.D., Yale Law School; B.A., University of Southern California. Ms. Gohil is Advocacy Director and Staff Attorney at the Sikh Coalition. She would like to thank Amy Chua for her assistance with the first draft of this paper, the Discrimination and National Security Initiative for developing it, Amardeep Singh for help along the way, and her parents and husband for their constant support. 2 J.D., The George Washington University; M.A., Johns Hopkins University; B.A., University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Sidhu is a founding director of the Discrimination and National Security Initiative, and civil rights attorney. He would like to thank Anil Kalhan and Valarie Kaur for their helpful comments on earlier drafts, Rajbir Singh Datta and Amardeep Singh for their assistance in identifying relevant incidents, and his parents for their love and encouragement.

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