Turban Day wraps at College

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on April 14, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge College students and staff had the opportunity to learn about the significance of Turban wearing and how to tie them during the International Turban Day celebrations Wednesday.
“This event is to raise awareness about the turbans, because it’s not a common thing and not something that people have seen traditionally in the North America,” said Gurpreet Singh, Lethbridge College research scientist and president of the Sikh Society of Lethbridge.
Singh, several students and alumni answered questions and offered to tie a turban on anyone wanting to experience what it is like to wear one during the event.
“Most of the people are curious and they just don’t ask those questions because they don’t want to be offending anybody,” said Singh.
Singh said the event allowed them to create connections with others while answering questions, including the amount of time it takes to tie a turban on someone’s head. He said the setting was an easier way to approach and be approached by curious people than trying to educate them in a classroom.
He said members of the Sikh faith wear turbans everyday, but they are not the only ones who wear them.
While members of other cultures and faiths, including some Muslims and Hindus, may also wear turbans, for the members of the Sikh faith donning a turban is a mandatory part of their religion and serves as a symbol of royalty and equality.
International Turban Day was created by the Sikh community in 2004 in response to negativity toward anyone wearing a turban in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Lethbridge College alumni Navroob Kaur, who helped members of the community experience what it is like to wear a turban, said turbans are usually worn by men but some women do, too.
“If you see some girl wear this on a daily basis it’s because they have been agreed to some religious contract that says you also can wear a turban,” said Kaur.
She said this helps demonstrate equality among men and women and she added that turbans are also useful for safety.
“In India it saves us from sunlight because it’s too hot there, it saves our hair, our skin and if you fall down it saves your head, it works like a helmet as well,” said Kaur.
Lethbridge College EDI Strategist and lead researcher Michelle Derbich who helped organize the event, said it is events like this that help strengthen community relations.
“Moments that give us the opportunity to learn about each other such as today, allow us to find common ground, build relationships and strengthen our diverse and thriving community,” said Derbich.

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