Tag Archives: Sikh

Sikh Soldier Endures US Army Training

A local paper notes the training of SPC Simram Lamba, the first observant Sikh to serve as an enlisted line Soldier in decades.  For his part, Lamba seems to find it a non-event:

Lamba…said the most frequently asked question by his fellow soldiers is about his unshorn hair and beard.

Lamba said both are considered Sikh articles of faith. He called them a “natural gift from God, and we’re not going to destroy it.”

Lamba added the soldiers at his side treat him like any Read more

The Military’s “Duty to Accommodate”

Mad Padre, a blogging Canadian military Chaplain, posted a link to an interesting article in The Maple Leaf, the Canadian military paper.  Entitled “Duty to accommodate in the CF,” the short article touches on the Canadian Forces’ policies on religious (and other) accommodation.

The article includes a picture of a Sikh Army officer.  The US Army has currently made few uniform exceptions for Sikhs within its ranks, both enlisted and officer.

Rabbi Sues Army over Beard

As noted earlier this year, Rabbi Menachem Stern has been trying for some time to become a US military Chaplain, but has faced resistance over his orthodox appearance.  He has apparently been unable to obtain a waiver for his beard.

He is now reportedly suing the Army for “denying him a commission” because of his religious tenets.  His lawsuit specifically cites the recent waivers given to Sikhs — men who were not Chaplains — and a bearded Muslim intern Read more

Sikh Granted Exemption to Army Standards

The Sikh Coalition announced that the US Army had granted an exception to dress and appearance policies allowing Simran Preet Singh Lamba, an observant Sikh, to enter the Army and maintain his religious standards of appearance.

Lamba was reportedly recruited for his language skills.  He is the third Sikh behind Captains Tejdeep Singh Rattan and Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi to be granted such exceptions over the past year.

The Sikh Coalition notes that it is continuing to work to eliminate the policy altogether, so that Sikhs may serve without the necessity of seeking a special waiver.

Also noted at the Religion Clause.

Senior Indian AF Leaders Visit US Bases

The Air Force announced the visit of senior Indian Air Force leaders to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, in late July.  The officers were reportedly in Kirtland to observe the USAF use of simulators for flight training.

A picture of an officer accepting a gift from the visiting leaders was interesting for its demonstration of the integration of religion not only with the Indian culture, but also its military:

Air Commodore J.S. Walia is evidently a Sikh, as he wears the religious articles of a member of that faith.  Currently, the US military has granted only a few exceptions to uniform wear to allow Sikhs to serve.

Also interesting is the gift chosen.  The gift is a replica of the Read more

Religious Minorities in Afghanistan Struggle

The Sikh Times notes the continuing struggle of minority religions in Afghanistan, focusing primarily on Sikhs and Hindus.  One Sikh, Awtar Singh, is the only non-Islamic member of Afghanistan’s parliament, and he feels powerless to support those of his or other minority faiths:

“No one in the government listens to us, but we have to be patient, because we have no other options,” says Singh…

While tens of thousands of Muslim Afghans have [similar] problems, they at least have politicians or leaders fighting their corner.

The article also noted a fascinating highlight of the differing cultural understandings and acceptance of religious freedom:

Afghan Hindus were baffled by Western outrage at one Taliban decree – ordering them to wear a yellow tag to identify their religion Read more

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