Sikhs permitted to wear ceremonial daggers to Olympic events

Sikhs permitted to wear ceremonial daggers to Olympic events
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-talk/27085-sikhs-permitted-wear-ceremonial-daggers-olympic.html
Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Kirpan is a Sikh religious symbol comparable to the Christian cross.

Initiated Sikh men will be permitted to wear ceremonial daggers less than 7.5 inches in length to Vancouver 2010 Winter Games venues, the RCMP's Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit announced Thursday.
The dagger, called a kirpan, is one of the articles of faith that all observant Sikhs must wear.

To be admitted to Olympic venues Sikhs wearing the kirpan must notify security personnel before being screened for admittance. The blade may be no longer than four inches and must be worn beneath the clothing, secured in a sheath. The kirpan must be worn with all the Sikh articles of faith.

The RCMP sought advice about creating rules for wearing kirpans from the Sikh community through its community relations group, which includes members of many of the city's religious and ethnic groups.

Research conducted by the RCMP's Olympic security unit suggested that violence involving kirpans is extremely rare and that allowing them into venues will not incur additional risk.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27085

"The new guidelines provide reasonable accommodation for religious freedoms as defined by Canadian laws and values, while clearly identifying the conditions under which the kirpan may be worn," according to a statement from V2010 ISU.

 
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The omission of initiated Sikh women shows that the machismo still exists despite the fact that Guru Nanak, the visionary was the first feminist long before anyone cared about the female gender as an equal.On a side note, one wonders where will the men put their Kirpans during the Kabbadi tournament on the snowy slopes!!

The article you are quoting from the Vancouver Sun is inaccurate about the issue of Sikhs being allowed to wear a kirpan at Olympic venues.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27085

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police did not make a disctinction between men and women. The article suggests that the rule applies to "initiated men." That is incorrect.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27085

It applies to all Sikhs, men and women.

For a more accurate version see this story at:

Vancouverite

you may also wish to respond to some comments.

Best regards.

Thanks for the clarification.

News Editor ji - Thanks for taking the time to clarify the article.