Sihk kirpan controversy in Quebec

**Lallans** · 19th January 11, 02:48 PM

There has been a huge multiculturalism backlash in Quebec: the folks there (1) want to preserve their uniquely North American French society, (2) look across the Atlantic and see what's happening in Europe and (3) have the lowest cultural birth rates in western society. I don't know how Scots would have fared in the same situation but anything that smacks of a threat in QC will be dealt with in short order- I guess the Sikhs were caught up in that. To add to the story, the Sikhs in question were appearing before legislators to discuss cultural issues and had called ahead to ask about the kirpans- they got mixed messages until they showed up wearing them and I guess got the definitive answer.

**Tobus** · 19th January 11, 03:03 PM

To add to the story, the Sikhs in question were appearing before legislators to discuss cultural issues and had called ahead to ask about the kirpans- they got mixed messages until they showed up wearing them and I guess got the definitive answer.

That's true in more ways than one. They got the definitive answer on their kirpans, but one might also say they got their definitive answer on cultural issues as well! And in a pretty publicly embarrassing way.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 19th January 11, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Biathlonman

Orthodox Sikhs adhere to the five "Ks": the kirpan, not cutting one's hair, wearing special underwear, wearing a bangle on the right wrist and one more I can't recall.

Kurry?

**Lyle1** · 19th January 11, 05:15 PM

Some Sikhs wear a miniature kirpan attached to the comb in their hair or on a necklace, which satisfies the religious requirement. Kirpans are worn as a symbol of the need to prevent violence by being prepared to intercede rather than standing by when violence occurs. It seems that the solution is fairly simple. Sikhs are required to wear a kirpan (though many secular Sikhs do not), but they do not need to be functional weapons.

**Biathlonman** · 19th January 11, 05:18 PM

Wherever you go in Britain, there's one food you can always rely on - Indian.

The best dinner I ever had in two trips to Scotland was a slap-up curry in Inverness, of all places. Those alliances between Sikhs and Scottish highlanders were about more than watching each other's backs in the Khyber Pass.

And to the member who posted the photo of a kirpan - its a toy, really. More ceremonial than a weapon. A skean dhu looks bigger.

**robthehiker** · 19th January 11, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Biathlonman

Orthodox Sikhs adhere to the five "Ks": the kirpan, not cutting one's hair, wearing special underwear, wearing a bangle on the right wrist and one more I can't recall.

from wikipedia

Kesh – uncut hair. Sikhs believe that hair, like everything else, is a gift from God, therefore it remains uncut.
Kanga – a wooden comb. Used for combing the hair and keeping it tidy and in place under the turban.
Kara – an iron bracelet. Serves as a reminder for Sikhs to follow the morals of their faith.
Kachera – a specific style of cotton underwear. Reminds Sikhs of the Guru's message regarding the control of the Five Evils.
Kirpan – a strapped curved sword. Symbolises the safety of all and the carrier's personal duty and responsibility as a Sikh to protect the innocent in the message of peace.

**Lallans** · 20th January 11, 07:07 AM

The Canuckistanian news this morning has the item that the Bloc Quebecois, the Quebec independence party that has a heavy presence in our federal House of Commons, is now demanding that kirpans be banned from there as well. Welcome to our nightmare....

**auld argonian** · 20th January 11, 07:45 AM

Seriously...it's a symbol...whaddaya want...should Christians be hauling a full size wooden cross around with them instead of wearing a wee cross on a chain around their necks?

There's always a reasonable way to resolve these kind of things.

Best

AA

ps: I also hear that Sikhs abstain from alcoholic bevvies, too...tell that to most of the Sikhs of my acquaintance!

**Jay** · 20th January 11, 07:58 AM

Without trying to make waves with religion (Sikhs) or culture and politics (Quebec) I think the Quebeckers do have a point.

Personally, I am liberal in these regards. I live in a very multicultural area and I embrace multiculturalism.

That being said, we in English Canada have lost all sense of who we are. We define ourselves by beer and hockey. Some legacy for our kids.

Quebec on the other hand works hard to maintain their culture. No different than any other country in the world (save Canada, US, UK and maybe Australia) For this, English Canada call them racists, xenophobes and the like.

Is it so wrong to say "this is our culture. if you don't like it don't come here. Many places in the world will let you live as you wish. Just not here".

**Andy Proffitt** · 20th January 11, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jay

Is it so wrong to say "this is our culture. if you don't like it don't come here. Many places in the world will let you live as you wish. Just not here".

They want to wear a ceremonial knife in their hair, not make everyone around them wear it. They aren't behaving like other groups and demanding that their religious views become law, they just want to practice their religion, which is all about tolerance and brotherhood and fighting injustice. Seriously, who gets pissed off at the Sikhs, its like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi.
Oh well, the Sikhs would be better served moving to a friendlier local anyway (pretty much anywhere is friendlier than where these are)>