Problems of Searching Sikh in the Airport
Introduction
Airport search is a common practice in many countries. The countries carry out search to identify illegal arms, drugs or to detect terrorists. The search is diverse as police officers search various items. Police officers in the airport are required to search passengers’ languages before boarding a plane and when alighting. Also, law enforcement officers in the airport are required to search passengers’ clothes and bodies for any firm arm. Most people have complained about airport search as the search interferes with various aspects like religion, beliefs and traditions. For example, search for Sikhs in the airport has become a major issue in many countries like United Kingdom. This is because some people think the search for Sikh is not good as it interferes with religion and beliefs of the Sikh religion.
Problem of searching Sikh in the airport
Sikh is said to be a follower of Sikhism. The two groups have similar traditions, beliefs and culture. Sikh community has the following traditions. First, Sikh community believes in respect for all. Also, Sikh community believes in equality. They believe that no distinction should be made in the world concerning race, class or sex. People should encourage equity, but not inequality. Second Sikh community believes there is only one God and people should devote themselves to God. Third, Sikh community identifies five vices that should not be encouraged in the society. That is lust, greediness, materialism and anger. Lastly, Sikh Muslim believe in protecting and helping people who are in need in the community. This is mainly through charity work and community activities (The international news 2010).
Airport search is important in any country as it helps eliminate threats to security. Law enforcement officers are required to search people, laggugae and clothes in the airport. The search should not interfere with the rights of citizens in the country. Most people do not support airport search because of various reasons. First, airport search interferes with the beliefs and traditions of some communities (The international news 2010). It also interferes with the religion of the community. Second, airport search deprives people their freedom and rights. The search for Sikh has become a debatable issue in United Kingdom. This is because the practice interferes with the beliefs and traditions of Sikh religion (Patridge 2005). The law enforcement officers were authorized to pat down and remove a Sikh’s turban. This is if the metal detector emitted a bleep when carry out the search. If the metal detector produced bleeps, then the law enforcement officers were required to open the turban and search for any illegal arms, drugs or any other material (Decann Herald 2010).
Though, the measures were aimed at enhancing security in the country, religious leaders from Britain and United Kingdom dismissed them. The leaders did not support the decision made by the government as it could cause more harm to Sikh people than benefits. The leaders claimed that the search was interfering with their religious beliefs. The leaders forced the government to act quickly so as to stop the practice (Decann Herald 2010).
Sikh’s have different beliefs and traditions. For example, Sikh women and men are required to wear a turban on their heads. The Sikh believes that turbans have an important meaning, and they should not be interfered with. When a Sikh wears a turban on his or her head, the turban is not taken to be a piece of cloth (Patridge 2005). The turban becomes part and parcel of a Sikhs head, and it should be treated with care. Sikh leaders and other followers believe that the turban has a lot of spiritual significance as well as temporal importance. The turban is termed as spiritual like other articles of faith worn by Sikhs (Patridge 2005). The turbans symbolize different things. For example, the turbans represent sovereignty and dedications. Also, the turbans denote self respect and respect for other people. In addition, the turbans symbolize courage and sympathy. Apart from the symbolism, Sikh wears turbans so as to show love and obedience. The turbans show that the Sikhs love and obey the founders of their faith (Decann Herald 2010).
The religious leaders claim that other religion wear turbans though in different forms. For example, Christians are required to cover their heads. Thus, the Sikh turbans should be respected like any other head covering (Decann Herald 2010). The religious leaders said that the Europeans legislation was not applicable as it is considered offensive to remove a Sikh’s turban and touch it in public. A Law enforcement officer or any other person is not allowed to touch the turban or remove it in public. This is because the turban is considered holy and it has a lot of spiritual significance to Sikh people (Patridge 2005).
The European legislation authorized law enforcement officers to touch the turban and remove it. It also allowed the officers to carry out search on Sikh and remove the turban in public when carry out intensive search. The policy interfered with the rights and freedom of Sikh people. It interfered with the religious beliefs of the Sikh community. This is according to a report released by Dr. Indarjit Singh who is a British Sikh. He is also an advisor for racial equality in the country. He said that the decision made by the government was aimed at humiliating the Sikh community (Guru 2010).
Indarjit said that, if there is need to search the Sikh, he should be taken to a private location where he can be searched. The police officers should use the lightest touch when searching a Sikh. This is to prevent the law enforcement officers from interfering with the Sikh religion. The leaders thought that the search was targeting Sikh because Osama bin Laden chose to wear a turban (Guru 2010).
The government had to review the legislation so as to meet the needs of Sikh community. The government allowed police officers to search Sikh turban using a hand held wand. The government stated further that the law enforcement officers will only search using their hands if they detect any metal in the turban. The measures were aimed at respecting the Sikh religion and their attire. The government authorized airports in United Kingdom to carry out search using methods of screening religious head wears, but not hand. This is to eliminate the need for police officers to touch the head wears (Guru 2010).
The religious leaders complained that airport search interferes with their traditions. This is because airport search did not encourage equality in the society as they targeted certain people. Also, the air port search did not respect the Sikh and their attire. The government has adopted other measures to carry search in the airport that do not interfere with Sikh. This is to ensure equality in the region (Guru 2010).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sikhs have different traditions and beliefs. For example, they believe in equality and respect for all. They do not encourage materialism. The search for Sikh turban interfered with the traditions and beliefs. This is because the turbans are considered holy and they symbolize sovereignty, love and obedience. The government had to establish other measures to search Sikh turban because of the effect caused by hand search. Hand search interferes with the spiritual nature of the turbans.
Reference
Decann Herald. No more search of Sikh turbans at UK airports London, July 2 (PTI).2010. Retrieved from http://www.deccanherald.com/content/78811/no-more-search-sikh-turbans.html
on 9th, July, 2010.
Guru, DesPardes.UK Stops Sikhs Turban Search at Airports.2010.retrueved from http://despardes.com/?p=16959
On 9th, July, 2010.
The international news.UK stops Sikhs turban search at airports.2010.retrieved from http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=29822
on 9th,July,2010.
Patridge, H.C. Introduction to world religions. Fortress Press, 2005
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