Turban Issue

FIBA Ruling Falls Short, Leads to an Unequal playing field: SALDEF

Seville, Spain: The international basketball federation (FIBA) has decided to relax its ban on religious headcoverings in limited circumstances as part of a “trial period.” Sikh NGOs SALDEF and the Sikh Coalition have expressed concerns over the ruling saying that it falls short and leads to unequal playing field. US based NGOs have declared to follow-up with FIBA to understand exactly how the new rules will apply to Sikhs.

FIBA relaxes ban on Sikh turbans

Switzerland: Basketball's governing body FIBA is learnt to have relaxed rules related to wearing Turbans and other headgear by players. The decision came after world-wide criticism of FIBA over it's controversial decision imposing ban on Sikh basketball players to wear a patka/ small-turban during matches.

USA: Legal Victory – Veteran’s father now permitted to wear turban when visiting son

Pennsylvania, USA (August 28, 2014): As per a release by US based civil rights organization, United Sikhs, [l]ast year, the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania USA refused to allow an elderly Sikh gentleman to visit his son, a United States Military Veteran, without removing his turban.

Sikh Basketball Players Receive U.S. Congressional Backing; FIBA may discuss Turban Ban in upcoming Spain meet

Washington, DC (August 20, 2014): Led by New York Congressman Joseph Crowley and California Congressman Ami Bera, 21 members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter today to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) calling for an end to FIBA’s ban on Sikh turbans.

Finland: Sikh bus driver finally overturns Vantaa turban ban

Vantaa, Finland (February 27, 2014): According to a news reported by Yle News (yle.fi): [a] bus driver in Vantaa has won his fight to wear a turban at work. His year-long dispute with the Veolia bus company was resolved thanks to an agreement between the Transport Workers Union (AKT) and the employers’ organisation (ALT). The resolution was reported first by Helsingin Sanomat.

UK close to changing work law on turbans for Sikhs

London, United Kingdom (Febraury 24, 2014): As per information the England is close to changing employment laws to remove an anomaly that meant Sikhs were exempt from wearing head protection in a high hazard industry such as construction, but were required to do so in lower hazard workplaces.

Op-ED: Sikh Americans Remain Uncertain of New Pentagon Rules

Despite public heralding of the brand new Pentagon rules signaling a renewed commitment to religious accommodation, the rules actually generate more confusion than promise. There's been talk of turbans and beards, religious liberty and inclusion galore.

World Sikh Council (AR) Welcomes Easing Restrictions on Turban, Beard & Articles of Faith in US Military

Washington, DC (January 26, 2014): The World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR) has welcomed the decision of US Military administration to ease the regulations restricting religious attire.

US: Commission on Civil Rights asked Defense Secretary Hagel to Explain Exclusion of Sikhs from Military

Washington, USA (January 04, 2013): As per information a U.S. commission has asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to explain the exclusion of Sikh Americans from the American armed forces.

Emirates Airlines confirms Turban ban for Sikh pilots; Says its uniform roles don’t allow turbans

New Delhi, India (November 06, 2013): It is learn that the Emirates Airlines, the airlines has issued a clarification regarding the accusations leveled by a Sikh pilot that he was discriminated against by the Gulf-based Airlines because he use to wear a Sikh turban.

European Parliament Human Rights Conference discussed Sikh genocide 1984 & Sikh identity related issues

Brussels (November 05, 2013): As per information the Sikh Federation (UK) organised a successful human rights conference in the European Parliament on the 29th anniversary of the Genocide of Sikhs in November 1984. The conference was held on November 04, 2013.

Sikh pilot accuses Emirates for denying him a job because he wears a turban

New Delhi, India (November 4, 2013): As per media reports a Sikh pilot has accused Emirates Airlines for discriminating against him. He has reportedly said that the Gulf-based airlines turned him down for an interview, even after shortlisting him for an interview, only because he wears a turban.

Pressure mounts on France against ban on Sikh Dastars/turbans

Paris, France (October 11, 2013): The recent decision of United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) holding the requirement that Sikh men remove their turban before having a passport photograph taken in France is a threat to religious freedom is a major victory for Sikh diaspora regarding turban ban by French authorities. This decision is believed to mount pressure on French authorities to recognize and allow the Sikhs to wear the turban/dastar freely.

Sikhs should lobby with governments to ensure that France implements Turban decision of UNHRC: Sikh Federation (UK)

London, United Sikhs (October 09, 2013): The UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has now ruled on three separate occasions in the last three years in favour of Sikhs to wear their turbans in France.

Sikhs win Turban Case against France at the United Nations

Paris, France (October 08, 2013): It is learnt that the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) concluded that France has violated the religious freedom of 57 year old Shingara Mann Singh when he was asked to remove his turban for his passport photograph.

Sikh man harassed by Mississippi Transportation officers and Justice Court Judge; ACLU and United Sikhs take up matter

Jackson, MISS. (September 26, 2013): The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Mississippi, and United Sikhs sent a letter to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) on September 25 calling on state officials to investigate the harassment of a Sikh commercial truck driver pulled over earlier this year for a flat tire.

Another Victory for the Turban: Judge apologizes to Sikh; New Religious attire & headwear policy goes into effect in Michigan courtrooms

Kalamazoo County, Michigan (September 11, 2013): The United Sikhs has announced another civil rights policy advocacy victory resulting in the modification of court procedures in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, to recognize the Sikh religious practices.

Mississippi: Efforts by United Sikhs led to new policy on harassment and non-discrimination

Pike County, Mississippi (September 04, 2013): It is learnt that after filing a Civil Rights Complaint with the Department of Justice and persistent advocacy, the Pike County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual now includes the harassment and non-discrimination policy. A US based NGO named the United Sikhs has welcomed this new policy.

Sikh Doctor Says Quebec Will Lose Ethnic Physicians If It Goes Ahead With Racist Proposal

Montreal (August 31, 2013): Quebec will lose public employees including doctors if the government insists on banning religious symbols in the workplace, says a physician from Montreal’s Sikh community, reported Canadian Press.

SGPC want Minorities commission to ensure justice to Sikh farmers of Kutch and Haryana

Amritsar, Punjab (August 23, 2013): It is learnt that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has, inter-alia, sought the intervention of the India's National Commission of Minorities to halt the eviction of Sikh farmers from the states of Gujarat and Haryana.

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