ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines how the Sikh turban has transformed from a sacred piece of attire for Sikhs to a target for discriminatory conduct and an object of marginalization after 9/11. It serves as a standard by which view the American commitment towards religious freedom. The book examines the ongoing American struggle to create a society that is not only religiously diverse, but also equal. It addresses why the turban came to be an integral part of the Sikh identity, and why it is considered important by members of the faith. The book reviews the calls in Western societies after 9/11 for visible minority groups, including turbaned Sikhs, to abandon their articles of faith in order to adopt a more homogeneous, national, and secular appearance. The analysis of available legal remedies suggests that the present legal system is inadequate to protect Sikhs from discrimination.
