Close X
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
ADVT 
International

Turban Day In Times Square Gives Sikh Faith Respect That It Deserves

IANS, 18 Apr, 2018 11:14 AM

    US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has commended the celebration of the Sikh culture through the annual Turban Day event at the iconic Times Square, saying such events give the Sikh faith and tradition the respect it “deserves”.

     

    Maloney had joined President of the American India Public Affairs Committee Jagdish Sehwani and Sikhs of New York for Turban Day on April 7 at the popular New York destination. The gathering in Times Square celebrated South Asian Culture and the art of turban tying.

     

    “It was my pleasure to join the Sikh community for Turban Day in Times Square,” Maloney said in a statement.

     

    She said the day holds “special meaning” for her because not so long ago Sikhs were not permitted to wear turbans while on duty in the Army. She added that in 2010, she had interceded on behalf of Simran Preet Singh Lamba, who requested permission to keep the articles of his Sikh faith while serving in the Army.

     

    “So it is wonderful to see a day celebrating this important cultural tradition and giving it the respect that it deserves,” Maloney said.

     

    In Times Square, NYC last weekend, Sikhs of New York celebrated Turban Day 2018 by tying 3,010 turbans at an event to raise awareness and educate the public on Sikh culture 👳

    Posted by Guinness World Records on Monday, 16 April 2018
     

    The Sikhs of New York have organised the Turban Day in the city since 2013 with the aim of educating people about the Sikh faith and identity and to promote equality. This year the organization created a world record for most turbans tied in 8 hours. Representatives from Guinness World Records judged the event in Times Square and presented the organisation with an official certificate upon successfully achieving the record.

     

    The organisation won the certificate from the Guinness World Record for the “most turbans tied in 8 hours was achieved by Sikhs of NY (USA) in Times Square in New York, USA on April 7, 2018”.

     

    Turban Day brings together hundreds of volunteers from the Sikh community who tie colourful turbans on New Yorkers, tourists and Americans from across the country visiting Times Square. While tying the turbans, they also talk about the Sikh identity, making people aware of the culture.

     

     

    Posted by Sikhs of New York on Saturday, 7 April 2018
     

    The event has been aimed at spreading awareness among Americans and other nationalities about the Sikh religion and its articles of faith, especially the turban, which has often been misconceived and misidentified as being associated with terrorism particularly in the years since the 9/11 terror attacks.

     

    Sikhs for New York said thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from around the globe. In Lamba’s case, Maloney had sent a letter with Rep. Gregory Meeks on behalf of Lamba, a Sikh recruit who had requested permission to keep the articles of his Sikh faith while in service to the United States.

     

    Recruited by the Army in 2009 through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program for his language skills in Punjabi and Hindi, Lamba was initially advised by an Army recruiter that his Sikh articles of faith would likely be accommodated, the statement added. However, in March 2010, his formal request for a religious accommodation was denied.

     

    On behalf of the team of Sikhs of NY we want to Thank everyone that came from far and near to support our cause...

    Posted by Sikhs of New York on Sunday, 8 April 2018
     

    Maloney wrote to Defence Secretary Robert Gates supporting Lamba’s accommodation. Lamba appealed the initial decision, and that appeal was accepted, the statement from Maloney’s office added.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    US Navy Veteran Adam Purinton Pleads Guilty To Indian Techie Srinivas's Murder

    US Navy Veteran Adam Purinton Pleads Guilty To Indian Techie Srinivas's Murder
    The man who shot Indian software engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla after shouting, "Get out of my country" has admitted in an US state court to the murder that shocked the nation.

    US Navy Veteran Adam Purinton Pleads Guilty To Indian Techie Srinivas's Murder

    India’s Christians, Sikhs Face Discrimination, Says Scottish Lawmaker

    India’s Christians, Sikhs Face Discrimination, Says Scottish Lawmaker
    Britain will raise the issue of "alleged persecution of Christians and Sikhs in India" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in April, reported Hindustan Times.

    India’s Christians, Sikhs Face Discrimination, Says Scottish Lawmaker

    Trump Taking The US Backwards: Indian-American Filmmaker Saila Kariat

    Trump Taking The US Backwards: Indian-American Filmmaker Saila Kariat
    Indian-American Saila Kariat, who has made her directing debut with "The Valley", says the US -- where a debate on immigrants has been raging -- is going "backwards" under the leadership of President Donald Trump.

    Trump Taking The US Backwards: Indian-American Filmmaker Saila Kariat

    Pakistani Court Retrains Govt From Arresting Hafiz Saeed

    A Pakistani court on Wednesday ordered both the federal and the Punjab governments not to arrest or place under house arrest JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, until further orders.

    Pakistani Court Retrains Govt From Arresting Hafiz Saeed

    'FreeKarachi' Campaign Ads Appear On Leading US Newspaper

    'FreeKarachi' Campaign Ads Appear On Leading US Newspaper
    The 'Free Karachi' campaign has launched a new drive to raise global awareness over the plight of ethnic Mohajirs in Pakistan.

    'FreeKarachi' Campaign Ads Appear On Leading US Newspaper

    2 Pakistani Nationals Held For Supplying Suicide Vests In Afghanistan

    2 Pakistani Nationals Held For Supplying Suicide Vests In Afghanistan
    Two Pakistani nationals were arrested on charges of supplying suicide vests allegedly to the insurgents in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Tuesday.

    2 Pakistani Nationals Held For Supplying Suicide Vests In Afghanistan