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Airman 1st class Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa has been granted by the Air Force a historic religious accommodation allowing him to wear a turban, a beard and uncut hair, in accordance with to his Sikh religion. (ACLU)
The US Air Force granted a Sikh airman on active duty a religious accommodation to wear a turban, a beard and uncut hair, in accordance with his faith.
Bajwa is a crew chief at McChord Air Base near Lakewood, Washington. The Air Force's decision to allow it to maintain Sikh customs regarding its appearance is a first "historic", according to the American Civil Liberties Union. The Air Force was not immediately able to confirm that it was the first Sikh in their service to obtain such a waiver.
Bajwa is a first generation American who enlisted in the air force in 2017, hoping to serve his country. According to the rules of the air force, but contrary to his religious practice, he was required to cut his hair and stay clean, said Kamal Kalsi, lieutenant-colonel of the US Army Reserve and founder Sikh American Veterans Alliance, who helped Bajwa win. his dwelling.
"The Air Force attaches great importance to the right of its members to respect the principles of their respective religions or not to observe any religion at all," said the spokesman of the Air Force. Air Force, Nicholas J. Mercurio, in a statement confirming his decision.
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When Bajwa learned that exemptions had been granted to members of the Sikh army and that in 2018, the Air Force had authorized an officer of the Muslim JAG Corps, Captain Maysaa Ouza, to wear a hijab, he had contacted Kalsi's organization for help. The ACLU subsequently participated in this effort.
"It was important for him to be able to keep this Sikh identity and his identity as a soldier, "said Kalsi.
"The turban and beard are important elements of Sikh identity," said Kalsi. "The turban is a crown. This represents our connection to social justice, our connection to our faith. These articles of faith remind us that we must do good in the world and be good citizens in the world. "
American Sikhs were allowed to keep their beards, uncut hair and turbans while serving in the army until a ban was instituted in the 1980s, reported the Army Times newspaper. But the rigidity of the army's appearance has been questioned in recent years as soldiers have asked to practice their religion in a visible way.
In 2008, Kalsi had asked the army to offer him a religious accommodation so that he could get dressed and married in accordance with Sikh practice. This effort took him a year and a half, but he added that the army had become more understanding towards Sikhs and soldiers of other faiths over the years.
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After a legal battle, Army Captain Simratpal Singh won in 2016 a long-term religious accommodation that allowed him to retain the status of his Sikh faith while serving. Shortly after, in early 2017, the army updated its grooming and appearance rules to allow Sikh soldiers and Muslim women to wear religious headgear and Sikh men of keep a beard.
Heather L. Weaver, ACLU's senior counsel, said in a statement that "no one should have to choose between following his religion or serving his country. . . . We hope all branches of the military will come to recognize the importance of religious inclusion and diversity. "
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