From Wikipedia

Sikhism was the first religion from India to settle in America during 1800s. There are many important figures like Bhagat Singh Thind first Sikh to be recruited in the American military, also Dalip Singh Saund elected in 1956 to be the first Sikh member of the United States House of Representatives, and there are many more who have contributed to the American economy, military and the lifestyle. According to the 2001 census there are more than 650,000 Sikhs in America, and more than 250,000 Sikhs are resided in California.

First immigrants

Sikhs have been a part of the American populace for more than 130 years. At the turn of the 19th century, the state of Punjab of British India was hit hard by British practices of mercantilism. Many Sikhs emigrated to the United States, and began arriving to work on farms in California. They traveled via Hong Kong to Angel Island, California, the western counterpart to Ellis Island in New York.^[1]

"Some Sikhs worked in lumber mills of Oregon or in railroad construction and for some Sikhs it was on a railway line, which allowed other Sikhs who were working as migrant laborers to come into the town on festival days."^[2]

A big effect on Sikh migration to the western states occurred during WWI and WWII, where Sikhs were recruited by British Royal Army to serve for them. Sikhs fought bravely during these wars and began to live in England after their serving period. Among the Sikhs who already lived in America prior to the wars, many Sikhs joined them, mainly during WWI and WWII.

First Sikh Gurdwara in United States

"The first Sikh Gurdwara was built in Stockton, California; the Gurdwara was created in 1912 with joint efforts of Sant Baba Vasakha Singh and Baba Jawala Singh. It was in September 1912 when land was purchased on South Granth Street in Stockton for the use of the Gurdwara. A small frame house that was already standing on the lot was used as the main building of the Gurdwara. This building still stands still where a library is now implemented. A Nishan Sahib was also hoisted for the first time at the Gurdwara. Sant Baba Vasakha Singh Dadehar and Baba Jawala Singh Thathian of Amritsar Sahib were appointed as the first Granthi Singh Jis of the Gurdwara."^[3]

Sikh communities

The largest Sikh community in the United States resides in Yuba City, California. The rest of the Sikh population is spread out in such places as Seattle, Washington, San Francisco Bay Area, Stockton, California, Richmond Hill, Queens, New York, Kew Gardens, Queens, Flushing, Queens, New York, Española, New Mexico, Chicago, Baltimore,Portland^{[disambiguation needed]}, Detroit, and Oregon. Most Sikhs of Española, New Mexico are non-Punjabi converts to Sikhism and they adhere very strictly to their faith. In Virginia there is the Sikh Foundation of Virginia.

Sikhs in the United States total over 650,000, with a large portion of these living in California. Sikhs are the second largest religion in the Yuba City area. 15,000 Sikhs live in the Sacramento area, and there are seven Sikh temples or gurdwaras.^[4]

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, there was an upsurge in anti-Sikh discrimination across the United States, including a number of incidents that involved physical attacks on Sikh individuals who were wearing turbans.^[4]

Sikhs in the United States total over 650,000, with a large portion of these living in California. Sikhs are the second largest religion in the Yuba City area. 15,000 Sikhs live in the Sacramento area, and there are seven Sikh temples or gurdwaras.^[4]

Sikh professionals

Most Sikhs started life in America as farm laborers, with many eventually becoming landowners and successful farmers. In 1956, Dalip Singh Saund became the first East Indian-born person to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. At present Amarjit Singh Buttar is perhaps the only turbaned Sikh who holds elected public office. He was elected in December 2001 to the Vernon, Connecticut Board of Education for a four-year term. He has also been recently selected as the Chairman of the Board.

Sikhism and the United States Armed Forces

Prior to the 1980s the United States Armed Forces allowed the wearing of beards while in uniform.^[5] However, due to a change in regulations the U.S. armed forces stopped allowing for the wearing of beards in uniform, except for those who have been in the military prior to 1986.^[5] As the beard is a requirement according to the Rehat Maryada, the current regulation,^[6] has created a regulatory barrier that has kept Sikhs from serving in the United States Armed Forces in large numbers since.

In April 2009, Sikh Army Captain Kamaljeet S. Kalsi, a doctor, with the help of the Sikh Coalition, filed an objection to the Inspector General and the Department of Defense to be allowed to continue to serve with his religious apparel intact.^[7] Joined in the filing of the object was one Army Reserve Second Lieutenant Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist.^[8] CPT Kalsi had joined the Army via its Health Professions Scholarship Program and had been reassured by the recruiter that wearing the uniform while retaining his religious required appearance and apparel would not be a problem.^[8] CPT Kalsi had even served in uniform without any problems at West Point and Travis Air Force Base.^[7] Yet, a problem arose in early 2009 when the pentagon told CPT Kalsi and 2LT Rattan that they would be called to Active Duty and would neet to shave their beard and stop wearing their turbans.^[9]

The Sikh Coalition argued that not allowing the servicemembers to continue to maintain their appearance according to their religion violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.^[7] The Army argued that continued wear of the turban and beard violated current regulation, that would hinder the servicemembers about to meet health, safety, and mission requirements including the wear of gas mask.^[7] In late October 2009, CPT Kalsi was allowed an exemption to the policy,^[10] and would be able to serve while adhering to his religious beliefs.^[11] The Army continues to maintain that these were specific determinations due to the individual case and that present regulations will not change,^[12] however the Sikh Coalition holds out that this will be the beginning of a policy shift that will allow other Sikhs to serve their country in uniform.^[12] The case of 2LT Rattan is on hold, pending his completion of the dental boards exam.^[10]

References

1. ↑ The Pioneers, America, "A historical perspective of Americans of Asian Indian origin 1790-1997" 31 October 2006
2. ↑ Sikhism in North America, America, "Sikhs in North America" 31 October 2006
3. ↑ Stockton Gurdwara,America, "Stockton California" 31 October 2006
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Investigating Anti-Sikh Discrimination in a Post 9/11 World
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "Beard Ban Deters Chabad Rabbis From Becoming Chaplains in Army". 27 August 2005. http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=479. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
6. ↑ "Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia". Army Regulation 670–1. Department of the Army. 3 February 2005. http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r670_1.pdf. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3} Kevin Baron (15 April 2009). "Sikhs want U.S. Army to waive dress and appearance regulations". Stars and Stripes. http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62026#. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Joe Sterling (15 April 2009). "Sikhs fight Army over bans on turbans, uncut hair". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/15/us.sikhs.military/index.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
9. ↑ Chidanand Rajghatta (8 April 2009). "Sikhs demand right to wear turban in US Army". The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/indians-abroad/Sikhs-demand-right-to-wear-turban-in-US-Army/articleshow/4372634.cms. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} The Associated Press (October 2009). "Sikh group: Doc gets OK to serve with turban". The Army Times. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_army_sikh_hair_102309w/#. 
11. ↑ "US army accepts first Sikh recruit". The Times of India (Bennett Coleman & Co). 24 October 2009. http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/5156279.cms. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} The Associated Press (23 October 2009). "Army Allows a Sikh Doctor to Serve Wearing a Turban". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/nyregion/24sikh.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 

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