Turban Day success leads to future plans to reduce bullying

A religious youth group is wanting to raise awareness in schools to reduce bullying following the success of a Turban Day event.

Hundreds of Kiwis gathered in Auckland’s Aotea Square last Saturday to try on turbans while learning about the Sikhism religion as part of the event organised by Sikh Youth New Zealand.

The turban is one of the five articles of Sikhism faith and is a symbol of leadership. It also stands for equality, worn by both men and women of any religion in India in defiance of the caste system.

The turban is a symbol of leadership and equality. Photo: Ella McLean

The success of the event has prompted event co-ordinator and Sikh Youth New Zealand member, Harvin Hans, to start working on a school education proposal that will explain the meaning of the turban to children to help prevent bullying.

“There is actually a gap in terms of communication,” said Mr Hans. “Some New Zealanders don’t understand what the turban means and why we wear it.”

Mr Hans believes this has resulted in misunderstanding, and has led to bullying towards Sikhs.

“We would like to go to schools and talk for 30 minutes about the turban and our experiences,” said Mr Hans. “If I had someone come into my school to explain to us what the turban stands for and why we tie it, my whole childhood would be different.”

Sikh youth group adult supervisor, Sukhy Bassan, believes bullying of Sikhs is a current issue in schools.

“When my son was 10 years old he experienced students calling him ‘apple head’,” said Mrs Bassan. “He would come home crying his eyes out and I thought ‘What canwe do?’.”

Mrs Bassan has seen the benefits of informing students about the importance of the turban when her husband delivered a speech at the school.

“The session was supposed to be five minutes but its lasted two hours. The kids were so interested in learning about it,” said Mrs Bassan. “My child’s life was plain sailing after that.”

Non-Sikh Auckland University student, Mark Bingham, attended the Turban Day and said he believes some New Zealanders mistake those wearing turbans for Muslim terrorists.

“Children need to know that the turban is not linked to terrorism. It shouldn’t be viewed as something not right,” said Mr Bingham.

However, Head Boy of Lynfield College, Aman Reen, said he believes most New Zealanders treat those in the Sikh community fairly.

“Even though I wear a turban to school and have a beard, people support me,” said Mr Reen. “But it’s crucial to cover the basics of our religion so people become more aware and less judgmental”.

Aucklanders got into the spirit of Turban Day. Video: Ella McLean