A Commendable Response to a Shocking Experience !!

[Harjinder]

A Commendable Response to a Shocking Experience

Sartaj Singh

While studying for final exams, a girl that I know from one of my classes

sat

with my friend and I. All three of us had the same exam the next morning.

She

asked if she could join us and we both agreed with no hesitation.She and I

are

acquaintances, since we had this one class together.

She happens to be Pakistani and was born here in the states as I am a

Sardar

and am too born here in the states. While studying, she stopped and looked

to

me and stated that in my culture hair is kept as a sign of showing that all

the

Muslims in the world are not dead. She continued to state that in my

culture

that the hair would not be cut until all Muslims in the world are dead. My

friend and I looked at each other in shock and then I looked at her and

asked

where did she hear this information from. She then stated that another

Pakistani girl from campus told her this. That other girl too is born here

in

the states as well.

In shock, I quickly tried to explain to her That these statements are

totally

false. I quickly explained the importance of keeping hair In Sikhi, as a

identity of our religion. But the damage has been done. It shocks me that

she

and this other girl believe this and the fact that thoughts from 500 years

ago

today still remain and are being taught to the first generation of children

from the indo-pak area born here In America. That ignorance still continues

out

of fear of not understanding.

I discussed what happened to me with several of My friends, both Sikh and

non

Sikh. All of them were in shock as well, and could not believe these

statement

were made. Many reacted out of anger and stated very heated feelings. And

at

first, I was angered as well. I did not know what to do or what to say, let

alone if I should retaliate or not.

But after some thinking, I believe That the only thing I can do is just to

show

love to these two girls, not hate. I happen to know who That other girl is

who

stated these assumptions to the Pakistani girl in my class. That other

Pakistani girl happens to be good friends with My roommate, who is a Sikh

as

well, but clean shaven. I quickly joked to change the mood when I was there

and

said "well, you know my roommate is a Sikh and he's clean shaven, so maybe

you

should talk to him because he cuts his hair so he must think all the

Muslims In

the world are dead, not me."

But then I spoke to my father, And he reminded me that even though Guru Ram

Das

(I believe) planned and started the building of the golden temple, it was a

Muslim who laid down the first stone. And also that In the Guru Granth

Sahib

there are Muslim priests who have there scriptures written in there, such

as

Kabir. But it ultimately comes down to love.

Not all Hindus or Muslims are bad, just like unfortunately not all Sikhs

are

good. Just because these two girls believe this viewpoint should not mean

that

I and everyone else should show hate towards them or there culture,

regardless

of the bitter history between Sikhs and Muslims from yesterday and today. I

must show love to both of these women and educate them on why Sikhs do keep

there hair and retain there identity, so that they too can realize there

thoughts are incorrect. Hopefully they will soon realize the truth to the

issue

and how there beliefs are false. I will be approaching both of these women

again once the semester starts and show nothing but love as I discuss this

matter with them.

So, basically all I am saying is that hate will get you no where. Love will

triumph over all. So as we live in this world, love all people and be nice

to

all - regardless of race or religion. Because once you part from people and

those people move onto different parts of this world and when they see

another

sardar or a sardarni, they will have positive feelings toward them. Because

if

you do something good or bad to one, they will tell others. Many will try

to

combat them and say- for example- that Sikhs are bad. But if they have

received

kindness And love from one Sikh, they will quickly stop them and state that

this is false. I hope my thoughts I have shared spark some thoughts In your

own

minds as well. It is something definitely to think about.

As told to Harjinder Singh by Sartaj Singh