| Policing Sikhs |
 |
 |
 |
|
This section is designed to help both Sikhs and police officers. It provides advice, guidance and your rights on how to be treated in respect of the Sikh articles of faith. Additionally, it provides an overview of Policing in London and Sikhism. - Overview OverviewHistory and belief systemSikhism is the youngest of the world's major religions, founded in the 15th Century in the State of Punjab. It has fifteen million followers worldwide, with the majority living in the State of Punjab (East) in India. The religious and political seat of authority is in the city of Amritsar in India, best known for its Harmindar Sahib, that is, the Golden Temple. In Britain there are about 800,000 Sikhs.Followers of Sikhism believe in one God who guides and protects them. They believe that everyone is equal before God. Sikhs aim to worship God, work honestly, share with the less fortunate and lead a truthful life. They consider that religious ceremony for its own sake has no meaning. Consequently they avoid pilgrimages and statues.Sikhism is based on the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the teachings of the other nine gurus who were his successors. The tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared that there would be no other living Gurus but instead the Holy Scriptures as the living Guru from where one would look for guidance.Sikh means 'learner' or 'disciple''. Any human being who faithfully believes in the following and does not owe allegiance to any other religion may be a Sikh:
The 'Five Ks'In order to become a Sikh and join the Khalsa ('Community of the Pure'), people need to follow the panj kakkar (Five Ks):
Legality of carrying a sword (kirpan) The carrying of a kirpan is permitted under Section 139 Criminal Justice Act 1988 as a religious artefact. Sikhs in LondonOne of the first recorded Sikh settlers in the UK was the only surviving son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Shere Punjab a former ruler of the Punjab Sikh Kingdom, that is, Maharajah Duleep Singh. As a child he was exiled to Britain in 1849 after the second Anglo-Sikh war. By 1902 a Sikh Gurdwara (or temple) was built in Shepherd's Bush. Many of London's Sikh settlers arrived from the Punjab region of Northwest India during the 1920s, 1950s and 60s. In the 1970s members of the faith from East Africa also arrived in East and West London. The 2001 census shows 31 per cent of the Sikh population of the UK living in London., especially concentrated in West London boroughs, making up almost 10 per cent of the populations of Ealing and Hounslow. Today Sikh people have a significant presence in numerous aspects of London life including politics, the police, education, law, fundraising, human rights campaigns and sports. The Sikh Secretariat is an organisation that works closely with regional and nation-wide Sikh organisations to lobby parliament and push for action on Sikh-related issues.There are also concerns over workers and travellers at major airports being discriminated against because of them wearing a kirpan (small sword). SubdivisionsSikhism has no major subdivisions. There are some denominational groups, broadly based on the practices of specific named religious leaders (past and present) of 'monasteries' and religious schools of thought. However, they are not officially sanctioned. .Though breakaway branches of Sikhism do exist they are in the main backed by political groups to undermine the mainstream of Sikhism. Places of WorshipGurdwaraAny building where the holy text of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is kept is regarded as a Sikh place of worship. It is called the Gurdwara ('Gateway to the Guru') and is marked out by a triangular orange flag (Nishan Sahib). The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is kept and read on a raised platform (takht – seat of throne) under a canopy in the Darbar Sahib room used for worship. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji will be beneath a canopy wherever it is kept, including the home. Worshippers cover their heads. They take off their shoes in the presence of the holy scriptures and never turn their back to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. At every festival, the scriptures are read continuously from beginning to end, which takes about 48 hours in a ceremony known as Akhand Path. Women play an active and equal role in all Gurdwara worship. They may conduct any religious services, read from the Holy Book in public, sit in the same arena as men, and have an equal voice on all matters related to the running and functioning of the Gurdwara. Sikhs are renowned for their hospitality. Apart from being a place of worship and a house for the Guru Granth Sahib, the Gurdwara is also a guest house where passing travellers may find free food (langar) and shelter, available to all regardless of age, gender, faith, sexual orientation, caste, and nationality. At HomeSome Sikhs keep a room at home where the Holy Book is permanently installed and where they can go for meditation, prayer or to hold a religious gathering of friends and family.For guidance on entering a Gurdwara or Sikh home click on "Entering of Premises" on the menu to the left of the page. Holy textsThe collection of Sikh Holy Scriptures is called the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is a collection of teachings and writings by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the other Gurus who succeeded him as well as Hindu and Muslim saints.These scriptures are written in Gurmukhi and are greatly respected by all Sikhs as the living Guru containing the word of God. PrayerDailySikhs, especially the Amritdhari (baptised) Khalsa members, worship every day in the morning at sunrise and in the evening at sunset, and then before they retire to bed. WeeklyWorking families attend the Gurdwara whenever they can, and usually participate in the Sunday service of mediation. Communal Sikh services are generally held on a Sunday in this country. This is not for any religious reason, but simply because Sunday is the day that most people in Britain do not work. The services are based on the writings in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, together with hymns compositions also taken from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji known as Keertan. The service ends in a langar (shared meal). Main FestivalsHoly daysThe main day for Sikhs to go to the Gurdwara for worship in Britain is Sunday. This is not for any religious reason, but because Sunday is the day most people in Britain do not work. Sikhs consider every day to be a Holy Day.Sikh festivals and the Sikh calendarThe dates of Sikh festivals have been traditionally defined by using a Lunar calendar, with the result that in the past, the festivals did not fall on the same date in the Western calendar coincide each year.Recently a calendar, known as the Nanakshahi calendar, has been introduced to resolve this issue by aligning it with the Solar calendar so that Sikh festival dates are at the same time of year.However, there are differences of opinion within Sikhism and some organisations do not approve of the new calendar, with the result that there is some uncertainty about the dates on which festivals should be celebrated.Vaisakhi (Baisakhi)(13/14 April)The most important date in the Sikh calendar, is the commemoration of the birth of the Order of the Khalsa Panth. The Khalsa Panth was initiated by the Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in 1699 when Sikhism established its protocols firmly from instruction from the tenth Sikh Guru, given strict edicts, moral codes and a uniform. Unlike other festivals, Vaisakhi occurs on the same date in the western calendar every year.GurpurbsGurpurbs are festivals that are associated with the lives of the Gurus. They are happy occasions which are usually celebrated at the Gurdwara with Akhand Path (the continuous cover to cover reading of Guru Granth Sahib). There is musical recitation of hymns known as kirtan as well as lectures on Sikhism known as katha. Some celebrations include a procession through the streets (nagar kirtan) with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji carried on a throne accompanied by 5 Sikhs (the Panj Pyarae of the Khalsa Panth or the five beloved ones. They carry Sikh flags or standards (Nishan Sahibs) which are usually saffron yellow or deep royal blue in colour. The most important Gurpurbs are the 4 accepted by the historic Sikhs:
End of October/early November: Bandi-shhor Diwas coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali (see the section on Main Festivals in Hinduism accessed from the left hand menu). Sikhs commemorate the Sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Ji and the sacrificies he made in the name of humanity. It has also been the time when in the 18th Century the whole Sikh nation came together to celebrate Sikhism and plan religious activities for the coming months. DietSikhs may eat meat, as long as the animal has not been inhumanely slaughtered. In general most baptised (Amritdhari) Sikhs are vegetarians and teetotal. Those Sikhs who do eat meat must do so from animals that have been killed quickly, humanely and without ritual ceremonies. Many avoid eating beef.Halal (see Islam section on Diet) and kosher (see Judaism section on Diet) meat is strictly forbidden. Also forbidden is tobacco inhalation. DressSikh women dress modestly. Traditionally they wear loose trousers (shalwar), a long tunic (kameez) and a long scarf (chunni) to cover the head as a mark of respect and especially when in the Gurdwara.Sikh men will wear a turban as soon as they are old enough (usually from the age of 13 or 14). Generally, the colour of the turban has no particular significance and is a matter of personal choice. The turban is also part of the Sikh identity.Apart from the turban and the long shorts (kachhera), there is no restriction on the type of garment that can be worn. Men generally wear western clothes when in the public domain. At home they may wear loose-fitting cotton trousers with a long overshirt. LanguageThe spoken mother tongue of Sikhs is Punjabi with the Gurmukhi as the written script. Naming systemSingh ('Lion'), a reminder to be courageous, is added to boys' names while Kaur ('Princess'), to stress dignity and nobility, is added to girls' middle names. The surname is the paternal family name although many choose not to use it in everyday life. GlossaryUseful words and terms
Life cycleSikh life cycleBirthWhen a baby is born a special prayer is read and a drop of holy water (Amrit) is placed on the baby's tongue. At a ceremony at the Gurdwara, the name of the baby is chosen by opening the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at random: the name must begin with the first letter of the first word of the Hukamnama (proclamation of the day) on the left hand side of the page. Male CircumcisionRitual circumcision is not relevant to Sikhism. Sikhs do not circumcise children, whatsoever. Teenage initiation ceremony: wearing of turban(known as Dastaar Bandi).The boy is seated in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. An elder relation ties the turban on his head. The Granthi explains why he must keep long hair and wear a turban. Prayers are said to invoke Guru's blessing on the boy. This allows young Sikhs to join the Khalsa Panth at a later date, after which they must observe the Five Ks. A special solution of sugar and holy water (Amrit), is prepared in an iron bowl whilst the five Banis (special prayers) are recited by five Sikhs (Panj Pyarae) in the presence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. During the ceremony the solution is blessed and sprinkled on the hair and eyes and a prayer is said. MarriageA brief summary of what is allowed and what is forbidden:
On the morning of the wedding, the bridegroom and his relatives are welcomed. There is then a formal introduction of relatives from both families. The bridegroom usually wears a red or pink turban and has a scarf around his neck. He sits at the front facing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The bride's father puts a garland of flowers on the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The bride enters, with a sister or other female relative. After bowing to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, she sits on the left hand side of the bridegroom..Readings from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji are recited during which the couple and their parents stand and ask for God's blessing on the marriage. The person reading the service gives a talk to the couple about marriage and its meaning. The couple is asked if they understand and accept their responsibilities to each other as husband and wife. The bride's father then gives away the bride by handing one end of the groom's scarf to the bride to symbolize their being joined together as husband and wife. The bride holds the scarf for the rest of the ceremony. The reading of the Lavan, a hymn written for weddings by Guru Ramdas, is the most important part of the ceremony. It has four verses, each of which are spoken and then sung. Each verse refers to a particular aspect of marriage. As each verse is sung, the bride and the groom circle in a clockwise direction around the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. When they have done this for the fourth time, the marriage ceremony is complete. Everyone then stands to join in the Ardaas prayer, and there may be speeches before everyone shares the Parshad (a sweet meal). This may then be followed by a civil-law marriage ceremony performed by an official marriage officer. A meal follows, which may be held in the Langar Hall (dining room) of the Gurdwara. DivorceIf a couple has problems in their marriage, both families will do their best to save the marriage, However, if this is not possible, divorce is allowed and either person may marry again in the Gurdwara. DeathSikhs believe in reincarnation and death is seen as just another stage in the life cycle of the soul. The body of a deceased is laid out in a room, and a light must remain switched on until the body is removed. CremationCremation is the norm.The family washes the body and dresses it in new clothes before it is taken for cremation.In the UK some families sprinkle the ashes into a river; others take the ashes back to India for a similar ceremony. AutopsiesThere are no prohibitions concerning autopsies in the Sikh faith. However, in the case of baptised Sikhs, the unshorn hair MUST NOT be separated from the body. It is preferable if all the other 4 K's can remain intact, ie.
EthicsAbortionAbortion is generally forbidden in Sikhism, as it interferes in the creative work of God, who, Sikhs believe, created everything and is present in every being. Certain exceptions will however, apply. Birth ControlSikhs have no objection to birth control. Organ donationSaving a human life is of paramount importance in the Sikh religion. Therefore, donating organs after death is acceptable to Sikhs. Sikhs in custodyAdvice should be sought on each individual's requirements including diet and prayer needs. DietMany Sikhs are vegetarians. But those Sikhs who do eat meat eat chatka meat, that is from animals that have been killed quickly, humanely and without religious or ritual ceremonies. Many avoid eating beef. Sikhs are strictly forbidden from eating Halal (see Islam section on Diet) and kosher (see Judaism section on Diet) meat. DressIt is considered disrespectful and offensive for anyone to touch the turban of a Sikh man and the scarf of a Sikh woman. Any search of the head of a Sikh man or woman must be conducted in private, never in public (in accordance with PACE 1984 - Code of practice 1: para 3.5).Should it become necessary to remove the turban or scarf of a Sikh for forensic reasons, a headscarf must be provided to cover the head. Custody sergeants are required to ensure that headscarves are available.Under no circumstances must Sikhs be forced into a public area with their heads uncovered.The carrying of a kirpan (mini sword) is permitted under Section 139 Criminal Justice Act 1988 as a religious artefact. It is usually about 4.5 inches long and must be sheathed at all times, although for ceremonial purposes a full length sword is always used. Special issuesForced marriagesGuidelines are available from ACPO, together with the Home Office and the Foreign N Commonwealth Office at http://www.lbp.police.uk/publications/dealing_with.htmThe Forced Marriage UnitThe Forced Marriage Unit was set up jointly by the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Officer in 1995. It sees around 250 cases a year. "There used to be confusion between forced and arranged marriages," explains a member of unit staff. "They were seen as being part of a certain culture. But that's changing now. Forced marriage is not a religious or cultural issue - it is a global human rights abuse". Forced marriage means just that - where a victim (one was 13 years old) is told they have to get married and they don't want to.New legislation November 2008New legislation came into force on November 25th 2008. For further details about the changes to the current legislation, see this Press Association article.Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007/pdf/ukpga_20070020_en.pdfThis new legislation is aimed at protecting the victims of forced marriages and prevents them from taking place. Under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act, where a forced marriage has or is about to take place, courts will be able to make orders to protect the victim or the potential victim and help remove them from that situation.The legal positionThe Marriage Act 1949 and the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 govern the law on marriage in England and Wales. The minimum age at which a person is able to consent to marriage is 16; a person between the ages of 16 and 18 may not marry without parental consent (unless the young person is a widow/widower).Section 12c of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 states that a marriage shall be voidable if "either party to the marriage did not validly consent to it, whether in consequence of duress, mistake, unsoundness of mind or otherwise". Voidable means the marriage is valid until it is challenged by one of the parties, at which time the court can award a decree of nullity invalidating the marriage. Possible alternative offences that may be perpetrated by parents or family members in this situation include:
Honour killingsHonour killing has no basis in religious law. However, in practice, it is the murder of a woman accused of bringing shame upon her family. Men who kill their wives, sisters or daughters argue that a life without honour is not worth living. Individuals, usually young women, face either being killed by family members or driven to suicide as a result of the shame perceived to have been caused by their behaviour. Sometimes these women are returned to the country of the family's origin to be killed, and sometimes they are killed in this country. It has been known for gay men to suffer the same fate, also for bringing shame on the family. Killings are often disguised as suicide, fire or an accident.In 2003 the Metropolitan Police set up a strategic task force to tackle the issue. A specialist unit was given the task of researching honour crimes and 100 murder files spanning the last decade were re-opened in an effort to find common links.The move followed the killing of a teenage girl in a Kurdish family in London. In 2002, Heshu Yones, 16, was stabbed to death by her father, Abdullah, because he disapproved of her Western dress and Christian boyfriend.Mr Yones then cut his own throat and attempted suicide by jumping from a third floor balcony. At his murder trial in 2003 he begged the judge to sentence him to death. Yones, a political refugee, who had fled Saddam Hussein's regime 10 years previously, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his daughter.Some of the most common reasons for murdering a family member include refusal to enter an arranged marriage, seeking a divorce - even from an abusive husband - or committing adultery. In some cases, women who have been sexually assaulted or raped are then murdered for the 'dishonour' of having been a victim of an attack. Entering premisesEntering a Sikh Gurdwara (Temple) or a Sikh home that houses the holy-Sikh book1. Seek assistance of someone familiar with the Gurdwara.2. On arrival, speak to the person in charge, usually the Management Committee Manager, Secretary or President.3. Wash hands or wear clean gloves before handling articles of faith or religious writings.4. Leave shoes outside the Darbar Sahib (prayer room) and the Langar Hall (dining hall).5. In the event that Holy Scriptures have to be removed, seek the advice of a person with religious authority to ensure proper procedures are followed. If possible, draw up a written agreement about how to handle scriptures.6. Keep Gurdwara authorities up to date on developments in the case.7. Tobacco, alcohol and other substances are not permitted in the Gurdwara. Never smoke in the Gurdwara or carry or permit to carry any tobacco products within the Gurdwara.8. Heads must be covered in the Darbar Sahib (prayer room).9. Do not take animals into a Gurdwara. This is regarded as more of a hygiene measure than a prohibition for prohibition sake. 10. Do not remove any articles of faith from a Sikh, particularly the 5 Ks (Kangah (a small wooden comb); Kachha (shorts), Karra (steel bangle), Kirpan (small knife), Kesh (long/unshorn hair).11. There is a tradition of hospitality within Sikhism that often takes the form of the giving of food to visitors to Gurdwaras, called Langar. 12. Do not touch anything in the Sach Khand, which is the room where the Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (scriptures book) resides.13. There are no restrictions with regard to handshaking, but generally speaking contact is only made between men.14. Should it be necessary to enter or search a Sikh home, police officers should take great care in handling the Holy Book.Basic courtesy, respect and understanding are the key factors. |