B.C. turban-tying event targets youth CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. turban-tying event targets youth
One of the biggest turban-tying contests in North America begins Monday afternoon in Surrey, B.C.
Contest organizer Gurdial Badh of Radio Sher-e Punjab says the contest was started eight years ago to combat racism and maintain respect.
"After 9/11, there was a lot of things that happened. A lot of people didn't know about people living in North America, who they actually were. There was a lot of instances of racially motivated attacks against Sikhs wearing turbans," said Badh.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-youth/29849-b-c-turban-tying-event-targets.html
This year the organizers of the annual contest aim to encourage younger Sikh men and teenaged boys to take pride in wearing a turban, also known as a Dastar.
"We're focusing on the youth this year. That's our major focus — to see what the Dastar means to them and how they can combat the feeling, the fear, or the self-confidence that they may lack," he said.
Competitors are expected to wrap seven metres of cloth around their heads in 10 minutes to form a turban without the cloth touching the ground.
Judges will be awarding points for symmetry, head coverage and clean folds, according to organizer Jas Gill of Radio Sher-e Punjab.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29849
The event is being held at the Bombay Banquet Hall and starts at 2 p.m. PT. Everyone is welcome to drop by and try wearing a turban, Badh said.
"You can have a turban tied, so you can actually have your picture taken. There are volunteers over there that'll be tying turbans," he said.