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How Do You Explain What A Kirpan Is To A Non-Sikh?
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<blockquote data-quote="Prabjyot Kaur" data-source="post: 8826" data-attributes="member: 345"><p>AmeriKaur, wonderful response...great logic!!</p><p> </p><p>Truthseeker, regarding your explaining to a non-sikh (friends), it is enough for them to know that you are a initiated/baptised/practicing(whatever works) SIKH who is supposed to keep the kirpan as other 4 K's intact. Kirpan is symbol of 'Miri' that is; a Khalsa is ready to protect the weak and fight against the oppression any moment. It has differnt meaning to different people; to me I feel internally strong and protected when I am wearing one. I had strange feeling when I had to take it off while travelling overseas. It is also a part of my Khalsa Uniform; I feel confident with it same as I feel confident when I am dressed professionally for my work as employee.</p><p> </p><p>I work for a public company where kirpan wearing is not allowed since it is considered a weapon. If found it is even worse because it will be considered as 'concealed' weapon. But the 'sense of protection' gave me courage to wear it all the times since last 15 years. I do not want to make it a big deal by wearing it outside, after all it has a special meaning to me NOT to others. But if ever need be, there are plenty of sikh organizations who will back me up for my right to wear kirpan as a Sikh.</p><p> </p><p>I hope that helps,</p><p> </p><p>Guru Raakha!</p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Truthseeker I have found following at Sikhnet...hope it answers it all.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><a href="http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/SearchView/2521E615D8A844FF87256E8B0058A71F!OpenDocument" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: #800080">http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/SearchView/2521E615D8A844FF87256E8B0058A71F!OpenDocument</span></u></a></span></p><p> </p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">WHAT IS A KIRPAN (pronounced Kir-paan)?</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">It is a small sword held by a</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> material strap which goes across the body.</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">It is not an offensive weapon</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> but a protective tool</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Kirpan means ‘hand of kindness/mercy’, which</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> highlights how the Kirpan is not to be used to attack anyone but merely to defend oneself or another as a last resort.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">WHO CARRIES A KIRPAN?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Initiated Sikh men and women, irrespective of age.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">WHY CARRY A KIRPAN?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">It is part of the Sikh uniform which consists of 5 articles:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">1. Kes: uncut hair (tied up and the head and crowned with a turban) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kes is an identity of a Sikh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kes is a stamp or seal that a Sikh’s head is God’s. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">2. Kanga: small wooden comb (placed in the hair knot under the turban)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kanga is used to keep the hair clean.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- Just a Sikh combs their hair daily; he or she should also comb their mind with the Guru’s wisdom.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">3. Kara: Iron bangle (worn on the wrist) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kara is a gift of a Guru which acts as a reminder to do the right action (with our hands).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kara is made of iron which symbolises how a Sikh should have strength and courage. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">4. Kirpan: small sword (made of steal/iron) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kirpan is to be used to upkeep righteousness</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kirpan exemplifies the warrior character of a Sikh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">5. Kachhera: Long shorts (which is above the knees, and worn as an undergarment)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kachhera is worn to be respectable and dignified at all times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">- The Kachhera reminds a Sikh to practice self-control and to have a high moral character.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The 5 articles have the same value as the uniform of a policeman or a soldier and something more subtle than that. This means equality, uniformity, unity and identity of the wearers. Every member of a team is required to put on a certain prescribed uniform for this very purpose. In the same way a Sikh has to wear the 5 Articles (known commonly as the 5 Ks) as part of being a ‘Saint-Soldier’, a ‘Khalsa’.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">IS IT OPTIONAL TO WEAR A KIRPAN?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">No! It is mandatory for initiated Sikhs to carry a Kirpan (this is recognised by the British Law).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE KIRPAN?</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Defence (as a last resort, to upkeep righteousness</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> and justice)</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Used to bless Sikh Holy Communion, called ‘parshaad’, at the</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> end of religious functions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">WHAT ARE OFFENSIVE OR MISLEADING SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE KIRPAN? </span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">To suggest that is a ‘dagger’, ‘knife’ or ‘offensive</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> weapon’.</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">To suggest it is a merely cultural symbol.</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">To suggest that</span><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'"><span style="font-family: 'Symbol'">·</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> the Kirpan can be replaced by wearing a miniature Kirpan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">IS IT LEGAL TO CARRY A KIRPAN IN </span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">BRITAIN</span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Yes it is! Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, Section 139 allows anyone to carry a blade exceeding the length of 3 inches for religious, cultural or work related reasons. This safeguards the Sikhs to carry the Kirpan.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Prabjyot Kaur, post: 8826, member: 345"] AmeriKaur, wonderful response...great logic!! Truthseeker, regarding your explaining to a non-sikh (friends), it is enough for them to know that you are a initiated/baptised/practicing(whatever works) SIKH who is supposed to keep the kirpan as other 4 K's intact. Kirpan is symbol of 'Miri' that is; a Khalsa is ready to protect the weak and fight against the oppression any moment. It has differnt meaning to different people; to me I feel internally strong and protected when I am wearing one. I had strange feeling when I had to take it off while travelling overseas. It is also a part of my Khalsa Uniform; I feel confident with it same as I feel confident when I am dressed professionally for my work as employee. I work for a public company where kirpan wearing is not allowed since it is considered a weapon. If found it is even worse because it will be considered as 'concealed' weapon. But the 'sense of protection' gave me courage to wear it all the times since last 15 years. I do not want to make it a big deal by wearing it outside, after all it has a special meaning to me NOT to others. But if ever need be, there are plenty of sikh organizations who will back me up for my right to wear kirpan as a Sikh. I hope that helps, Guru Raakha! [font=Verdana]Truthseeker I have found following at Sikhnet...hope it answers it all.[/font] [font=Verdana][/font] [font=Verdana][url="http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/SearchView/2521E615D8A844FF87256E8B0058A71F!OpenDocument"][u][color=#800080]http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/SearchView/2521E615D8A844FF87256E8B0058A71F!OpenDocument[/color][/u][/url][/font] [font=Verdana] [/font] [font=Verdana]WHAT IS A KIRPAN (pronounced Kir-paan)? It is a small sword held by a[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] material strap which goes across the body. It is not an offensive weapon[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] but a protective tool Kirpan means ‘hand of kindness/mercy’, which[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] highlights how the Kirpan is not to be used to attack anyone but merely to defend oneself or another as a last resort. WHO CARRIES A KIRPAN? Initiated Sikh men and women, irrespective of age. WHY CARRY A KIRPAN? It is part of the Sikh uniform which consists of 5 articles: 1. Kes: uncut hair (tied up and the head and crowned with a turban) - The Kes is an identity of a Sikh. - The Kes is a stamp or seal that a Sikh’s head is God’s. 2. Kanga: small wooden comb (placed in the hair knot under the turban) - The Kanga is used to keep the hair clean. - Just a Sikh combs their hair daily; he or she should also comb their mind with the Guru’s wisdom. 3. Kara: Iron bangle (worn on the wrist) - The Kara is a gift of a Guru which acts as a reminder to do the right action (with our hands). - The Kara is made of iron which symbolises how a Sikh should have strength and courage. 4. Kirpan: small sword (made of steal/iron) - The Kirpan is to be used to upkeep righteousness - The Kirpan exemplifies the warrior character of a Sikh. 5. Kachhera: Long shorts (which is above the knees, and worn as an undergarment) - The Kachhera is worn to be respectable and dignified at all times. - The Kachhera reminds a Sikh to practice self-control and to have a high moral character. The 5 articles have the same value as the uniform of a policeman or a soldier and something more subtle than that. This means equality, uniformity, unity and identity of the wearers. Every member of a team is required to put on a certain prescribed uniform for this very purpose. In the same way a Sikh has to wear the 5 Articles (known commonly as the 5 Ks) as part of being a ‘Saint-Soldier’, a ‘Khalsa’. IS IT OPTIONAL TO WEAR A KIRPAN? No! It is mandatory for initiated Sikhs to carry a Kirpan (this is recognised by the British Law). WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE KIRPAN? Defence (as a last resort, to upkeep righteousness[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] and justice) Used to bless Sikh Holy Communion, called ‘parshaad’, at the[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] end of religious functions. WHAT ARE OFFENSIVE OR MISLEADING SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE KIRPAN? To suggest that is a ‘dagger’, ‘knife’ or ‘offensive[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] weapon’. To suggest it is a merely cultural symbol.[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] To suggest that[/font][font=Symbol][font=Symbol]·[/font][/font][font=Verdana] the Kirpan can be replaced by wearing a miniature Kirpan. IS IT LEGAL TO CARRY A KIRPAN IN [/font][font=Verdana]BRITAIN[/font][font=Verdana]? Yes it is! Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, Section 139 allows anyone to carry a blade exceeding the length of 3 inches for religious, cultural or work related reasons. This safeguards the Sikhs to carry the Kirpan.[/font] [/QUOTE]
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How Do You Explain What A Kirpan Is To A Non-Sikh?
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