If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
Airport screeners are given more leeway to inspect head coverings. By Vanessa Colón - Fresno Bee Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, September 22, 2007 Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A4 http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/392773.html New federal rules that give airport screeners more discretion to inspect turbans worn by some Sikh men are stirring anger in a California community that has felt unfairly targeted by security measures following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Now Sikhs are gathering signatures to urge members of Congress to get the new security rules changed. Screeners previously were allowed to inspect turbans only if a metal detector went off. But new rules that took effect Aug. 4 give screeners broader discretion to examine turbans, even if the metal detector doesn't go off. It partially reverses a compromise that had been adopted after the Sikh community complained. Harry Gill, a Sikh community leader from Caruthers, worries that screeners will be more apt to touch the turban under the new rules. "This is a religious thing. Taking off or touching the turban is like a slap on the face," he said. Gill said Sikhs in the San Joaquin Valley began circulating petitions about three weeks ago to seek a change in the regulations. The petitions are expected to be dropped off next week in the offices of Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. "We don't want that law put against the Sikh people. That's our religious symbol," Gill said. Greg Soule, a spokesman for the federal Transportation Security Administration, said federal officials wanted to improve screening for explosives. The new rules, he said, apply to all head coverings, not just Sikh turbans. "The greatest threat is explosives. While there is no specific threat to head coverings, it is an area we feel needs additional security measures." Travelers who don't want their turban patted down and want to remove the turban can request to use a private screening area, according to the TSA. Soule said the administration has worked with the Sikh community in the past and plans to listen to their concerns. Balbir Singh Dhillon, president of the Sacramento Sikh Temple -- representing 1,500 families and about 5,000 people -- said members also have signed petitions opposing the indiscriminate searching of turbans by airport screeners. "Sikhs have been in this country since the early 1900s, and we've never had this problem," Dhillon said. "We've been faithful to this country and haven't done anything wrong. I don't think there's a single case where anybody's been hiding anything in or under their turban." Darshan Singh Mundy, a temple member, said Sikhs serve in all branches of law enforcement and the armed forces "and have sacrificed their lives in the U.S. Army in Baghdad, and Sikhs have nothing to do with 9/11." In Fresno County, home to about 35,000 Sikhs, opinions in the Sikh community are divided. Satinder Kaur, a cashier at India Sweets and Spices in northwest Fresno, said she doesn't believe someone loses respect by taking off the turban. Kaur's husband doesn't wear a turban. "I think it's better. There's a lot of people on the airplane. ... If he gets checked, it's for safety," Kaur said. Others, like 52-year-old Balwinder Singh, a Fresno taxi driver, said they had no qualms about the new rules provided Sikhs don't have to remove the turban in public. "That is not good if you have to take it off in public. If it's a private room, it's better," he said. But Parminder Singh of Kingsburg said the new rules amount to unnecessary scrutiny for Sikhs. Sikhs had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks in the United States, yet they are being asked to make compromises. "We think it's disgraceful," Singh said. For some Sikhs, the new rules pose practical problems, as well. Marjinder Gill, who emigrated from India to Fresno about 20 years ago, said he doesn't like to remove his turban. "It's hard to place it back on again. It's not a cap. ... It takes 5 to 10 minutes" to replace it, Gill said. Sikhs became targets of hate crimes in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks. One of the Valley's Sikh temples was vandalized in 2004 by graffiti that told congregants: "Rags Go Home" and "It's Not Your Country." Sikhs responded by launching an effort to educate the public about their religion. Mundy said seven Sikh Americans have lost their lives in hate crimes throughout the United States since 9/11 because of being misidentified as Muslims. In Sikhism, long, unshorn hair is a symbol of spiritualism and the turban a symbol of royalty and dignity. The religion, founded by Guru Nanak in 1469, is an offshoot of Hinduism. The turban is mandatory for baptized Sikh men, and optional -- though uncommon -- for women who tend to wear head scarves, at least inside the temple. The turban and the unshorn hair underneath together are considered sacred, said Gurinder Singh Mann, professor of Sikh studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mann said the turban also is seen as a cultural symbol. He said touching the turban can be viewed as an insult, akin to challenging someone's religion, he said. Sikhs have been willing to compromise in the past on some religious symbols, such as the kirpan, a ceremonial knife often worn by men after baptism. Some of them agreed to place the knife in the checked baggage, while others wear a small symbol of it around the neck, Mann said. The kirpan is considered a symbol of divine justice. Mann said Sikhs bear some responsibility for educating the general public. "The issue is the mainstream has to understand who they are and they have to explain who they are. It's a mutual obligation," Mann said. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
Per Ablang:
Harry Gill, a Sikh community leader from Caruthers, worries that screeners will be more apt to touch the turban under the new rules. "This is a religious thing. Taking off or touching the turban is like a slap on the face," he said. Gill said Sikhs in the San Joaquin Valley began circulating petitions about three weeks ago to seek a change in the regulations. The petitions are expected to be dropped off next week in the offices of Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. "We don't want that law put against the Sikh people. That's our religious symbol," Gill said. Wasn't there some group in some federal prison somewhere about 20 years ago that formed their own religion - declaring Jack Daniels to be their sacrament and petitioning the prison system to supply same? -- PeteCresswell |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
"(PeteCresswell)" wrote in message ... Per Ablang: Harry Gill, a Sikh community leader from Caruthers, worries that screeners will be more apt to touch the turban under the new rules. "This is a religious thing. Taking off or touching the turban is like a slap on the face," he said. Gill said Sikhs in the San Joaquin Valley began circulating petitions about three weeks ago to seek a change in the regulations. The petitions are expected to be dropped off next week in the offices of Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. "We don't want that law put against the Sikh people. That's our religious symbol," Gill said. Wasn't there some group in some federal prison somewhere about 20 years ago that formed their own religion - declaring Jack Daniels to be their sacrament and petitioning the prison system to supply same? And in what way do you think this relevant to this issue? -- William Black I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach Time for tea. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
Per William Black:
And in what way do you think this relevant to this issue? Somebody starts a religion. Then they declare some behavior that is at odds with the society around them tb essential to the practitioners of said religion - and wants to be exempted. Granted Skihs have been wearing turbans for a long time, but in the context of everybody else having to remove their shoes and - presumably - other types of headgear, what makes them so special? Seems like the wearing of totally-concealing burkahs is a similar issue. Don't take this to mean that I'm unconditionally in favor of the pre-flight inspections that are currently going on: I'm not and I think a lot of time and money spent on them could be better spent elsewhere. -- PeteCresswell |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
In article ,
"(PeteCresswell)" wrote: Somebody starts a religion. Then they declare some behavior that is at odds with the society around them tb essential to the practitioners of said religion - and wants to be exempted. Amen, brother, amen!!! |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
(PeteCresswell) wrote:
Granted Skihs have been wearing turbans for a long time, but in the context of everybody else having to remove their shoes and - presumably - other types of headgear, what makes them so special? Seems like the wearing of totally-concealing burkahs is a similar issue. If a burka wearing person enters a bank and waits in line to talk to a teller, is this really acceptable ? You can't tell if it is a male with machine gun under the hood or some female muslim only allowed to show any skin to her husband ? And if the bank teller need to verify phot ID ? If TSA agents are allowed to pat down a female's breasts, or feel some guy's crotch, then they should be allowed to feel some's guy's hat. The Sihks came to north america knowing full well that their ancient llifestyle was incomaptible with north america lifestyle. They really have no business to complain. If they truly want to wear daggers in public and their head gear, they should move to a country where such practices are part of life. This has nothing to do with faith. And telling some guy he cannot wear weapons in public or needs to have hist hat checked at airport is not an attack on their faith. It is simple requirement that they comply with local customs in the western world. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
If a burka wearing person enters a bank and waits in line to talk to a teller, is this really acceptable ? You can't tell if it is a male with machine gun under the hood or some female muslim only allowed to show any skin to her husband ? And if the bank teller need to verify phot ID ? If TSA agents are allowed to pat down a female's breasts, or feel some guy's crotch, then they should be allowed to feel some's guy's hat. The Sihks came to north america knowing full well that their ancient llifestyle was incomaptible with north america lifestyle. They really have no business to complain. If they truly want to wear daggers in public and their head gear, they should move to a country where such practices are part of life. This has nothing to do with faith. And telling some guy he cannot wear weapons in public or needs to have hist hat checked at airport is not an attack on their faith. It is simple requirement that they comply with local customs in the western world. How ironic it is that the Sikhs, a peaceful people who do wear ceremonial daggers and whose way of life is sooooooo incompaitble with North america are the ones to be singled out, whilst it's perfectly acceptable for other Americans to walk around wearing equally unacceptable headgear and carrying handguns with the intention to use and kill as opposed to symbolise a faith.... TSA have a job to do and Sikh people have no issues with a 'turban' search...their problem is the search being carried out in full view of others. They have the right to be searched behind a screen and afforded privacy. To satisfy your ignorant paranoia, Sikhs don't have any ill-will or wishes against America or the West..that is the the domain of the muslims. I can't say i agree with muslims, but if assholes like you are representitive to them of 'the western world', then i can certainly see where they are coming from. Sikh people show a far greater compliance for socaily acceptable behaviour in the western world than people who talk the ****ing **** like you do. -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
Mr Travel wrote:
You know.. This group just got together recently and decided they would form a religion..... No, seriously, either they follow the rules or they dont' fly. If there are security issues that force the removal of headwear, thne everyone should have to remove headware. I remember a case that involved an Islamic lady and driver license rules. Obviously, there is no point in putting pictures on licenses if people of some religions can avoid getting the pictures. The rules either apply to everyone, or they should apply to nobody. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
the_niner_nation wrote:
How ironic it is that the Sikhs, a peaceful people who do wear ceremonial daggers and whose way of life is sooooooo incompaitble with North america are the ones to be singled out, whilst it's perfectly acceptable for other Americans to walk around wearing equally unacceptable headgear and carrying handguns with the intention to use and kill as opposed to symbolise a faith.... In Canada at least, walking in public places with a weapon is prohibited by law. Sihks went to supreme court to get an exception to this. In Canada, the long standard and well known standard uniform for the mounted police (one of our national emblems) had to be changed because one sihk immigrant insisted he be allowed to apply for such job, and went to the supreme court to have the uniform ruled unconstitutional because it discriminated against a religion that mandates only a certain type of hat can be worn and never removed. When an immigrant forces your country to change its long standing traditions and emblems, you don't have much respect for that type of religion that shows it it unwilling to adapt to a place the person is moving to and forcing a whole country to adapt to their own little needs. Consider some Hindu coming to the USA and then going to the supreme court stating that slaughter of all cows/beef should be made illegal because it is against his religion which considers cows to be sacred. One needs to put a limit on the silliness of religions interfering with normal social life. Wearing some turban has nothing to do with what sort of god you believe in or whether you are peaceful or revengeful or whatever. Wearing a burka has nothing to do with religion. It is merely a female accepting to be a slave to her husband (or parents before she is maried) and never showing her skin in public. All the Koran says is that people should not dress in a sexually provocative manner in public. The fact that hundreds of millions of muslim women do not wear burkas or even veils is a good indication that those are not part of the religion. (think indonesia, pacific islands etc where their implementation of the Koran is more "by the book" than the extra social customs added to life in certain parts of the middle east. And in terms of your americans wearing unacceptable headgear and carrying handguns, when it comes to a security checkpoint at the airport, they will not cry foul and go to the supreme court if they are asked to remove the hat and put it in the tray to be x-rayed or tells them that flying with a handgun is illegal and that it cannot be taken beyond the checkpoint. Sihks will go to the supreme court to get permission to do that. I am not saying that sihks are dangerous. (although they are the ones who blew up Air India 747 in 1985 and there are terrorist groups pushing for Sihk agenda). However, their refusal to abide to simple rules here are incompatible without established society. If you are asked to remove headgear at a security checkpoint, you should not refuse to do so. Same with veil/burkas/whatever. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Sikhs oppose new turban rules
the_niner_nation wrote:
TSA have a job to do and Sikh people have no issues with a 'turban' search...their problem is the search being carried out in full view of others. They have the right to be searched behind a screen and afforded privacy. Nonsense. If they want to be searched in private, all they have to do is request it. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Exploding Turban ? | [email protected] | Air travel | 0 | August 11th, 2006 05:07 PM |
Most Iran exiles in US oppose an attack | [email protected] | Europe | 0 | May 9th, 2006 09:29 PM |
Why do Europeans Oppose Window Screens? | Kevin | Europe | 241 | June 3rd, 2005 09:58 AM |
59 Ex-US Diplomats Oppose Bolton | Gaston | Europe | 22 | April 4th, 2005 06:29 PM |