Washington, DC — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued a new set of directives today that specifically address the issue of racial profiling and turban-searches facing Sikh Americans at airports. This new guidance explicitly explains the importance of the Sikh turban and kirpan, and describes how to be sensitive and respectful during conducting search of Sikh American passengers at airport security. In its ongoing efforts to help the federal government understand Sikhism, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights advocacy group, has been closely working with and providing comments to the Department of Transportation and FAA on these guidelines and directives. The new guidelines are aimed at stopping the current “turban removal and searches” that occur at airports, and help Sikh Americans feel comfortable to fly again. They clearly state that profiling a Sikh for wearing a turban, including extra searches beyond those done to non-turbaned people, and asking Sikhs to remove their turban, is illegal. The guideline states: “Persons or their property may not be subjected to inspection, search and/or detention solely because they appear…Sikh. Individuals MAY NOT be selected for additional screening based solely on appearance or dress. Selecting a man for screening solely because he is wearing a turban, as some Sikh men and women do, is UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION.” They also clearly explain the kirpan and allow small kirpans worn around the neck in and beyond the security area. “A kirpan is a sheathed sword…[and] is a mandatory article of faith for initiated Sikhs…almost always carried on the person. Some Sikhs wear mini-kirpans…that are not knives on necklaces. These mini-kirpans….are permitted beyond screener checkpoints.” All regular kirpans must be checked in carry-on luggage.
