Club’s turban policy impossible to justify
The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club’s headgear policy is not only unbelievably anachronistic but also flies in the face of all the ideals of tolerance and inclusiveness that are associated with the concept of cosmopolitanism.
By definition, cosmopolitan means “familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures.” And this is according to a much-referred dictionary. The club management’s stand against allowing members of the Sikh community to wear the turban in certain areas of its premises goes against the grain of everything that its name stands for.
While no one for even a single moment denies the right of the club’s management to formulate rules in the best interests of the wellbeing of its members, the question here is of sensitivity, respect to a long and widely held religious tradition and tolerance of other cultures.
Headgear has been raising the hackles of security forces and the pseudo-liberal set across the world. Some of the concerns may well be justified. There has been a backlash against culturally dictated sartorial practices in Europe, especially in France and Belgium. Any garment that conceals identity raises security concerns in a world rife with terrorism. The arrest last week of a wanted terrorist disguised as a woman clad in a burqa on the Afghan-Pakistan border is testimony to the misuse of religious garb by terrorists.
In New Zealand some malls ban hoodies within their premises because it conceals identity. Banks too discourage any concealment of identifying facial features. In a country where armed hold ups and petty crime are a worryingly growing phenomenon, these measures are completely justifiable.
But the headgear of Sikhs is different. For one, it does not conceal individual identity. In fact, the turban is a well-known part of the Sikh identity and cannot be compared with any other headgear that establishments find threatening. And a club is different from a mall or a bank. The Sikh members in question are already members. They are no strangers to the club.
Besides, all institutions in New Zealand recognise the Sikh turban. The Parliament accepts it. The police force accepts it. Other uniformed professions make an exception for it too. Also, what many people in this country and throughout the Commonwealth – particularly the younger generation – do not realise is that Sikhs’ important role fighting with western allies.
Indian Weekender has always highlighted the role of the Sikhs at Gallipoli in our issues published around Anzac Day and this needs to be amplified and recognised by the wider circle of New Zealanders. The point is that Sikhs have been part and parcel of the New Zealand scene for close to 100 years and their ties with the British go well beyond that.
The club’s unfortunate stand not only fails to acknowledge the community’s religious sentiment but also fails to accord the gratitude and acceptance of its services to this nation.
New Zealand stands out as one of the most tolerant, friendly and forward looking nations in the world and many larger and more powerful nations look to emulating these values, which all New Zealanders are justifiably proud of. But the Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club’s stand is more reminiscent of the antediluvian attitudes we see in places around the world that consider diversity and cosmopolitanism as undesirable and something to be put down.
It is totally out of character with what New Zealand and New Zealanders have to come to stand for today.
We do hope good sense will prevail. And soon enough, too.
The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club’s headgear policy is not only unbelievably anachronistic but also flies in the face of all the ideals of tolerance and inclusiveness that are associated with the concept of cosmopolitanism.
By definition, cosmopolitan means “familiar with and at ease in many...
The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club’s headgear policy is not only unbelievably anachronistic but also flies in the face of all the ideals of tolerance and inclusiveness that are associated with the concept of cosmopolitanism.
By definition, cosmopolitan means “familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures.” And this is according to a much-referred dictionary. The club management’s stand against allowing members of the Sikh community to wear the turban in certain areas of its premises goes against the grain of everything that its name stands for.
While no one for even a single moment denies the right of the club’s management to formulate rules in the best interests of the wellbeing of its members, the question here is of sensitivity, respect to a long and widely held religious tradition and tolerance of other cultures.
Headgear has been raising the hackles of security forces and the pseudo-liberal set across the world. Some of the concerns may well be justified. There has been a backlash against culturally dictated sartorial practices in Europe, especially in France and Belgium. Any garment that conceals identity raises security concerns in a world rife with terrorism. The arrest last week of a wanted terrorist disguised as a woman clad in a burqa on the Afghan-Pakistan border is testimony to the misuse of religious garb by terrorists.
In New Zealand some malls ban hoodies within their premises because it conceals identity. Banks too discourage any concealment of identifying facial features. In a country where armed hold ups and petty crime are a worryingly growing phenomenon, these measures are completely justifiable.
But the headgear of Sikhs is different. For one, it does not conceal individual identity. In fact, the turban is a well-known part of the Sikh identity and cannot be compared with any other headgear that establishments find threatening. And a club is different from a mall or a bank. The Sikh members in question are already members. They are no strangers to the club.
Besides, all institutions in New Zealand recognise the Sikh turban. The Parliament accepts it. The police force accepts it. Other uniformed professions make an exception for it too. Also, what many people in this country and throughout the Commonwealth – particularly the younger generation – do not realise is that Sikhs’ important role fighting with western allies.
Indian Weekender has always highlighted the role of the Sikhs at Gallipoli in our issues published around Anzac Day and this needs to be amplified and recognised by the wider circle of New Zealanders. The point is that Sikhs have been part and parcel of the New Zealand scene for close to 100 years and their ties with the British go well beyond that.
The club’s unfortunate stand not only fails to acknowledge the community’s religious sentiment but also fails to accord the gratitude and acceptance of its services to this nation.
New Zealand stands out as one of the most tolerant, friendly and forward looking nations in the world and many larger and more powerful nations look to emulating these values, which all New Zealanders are justifiably proud of. But the Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club’s stand is more reminiscent of the antediluvian attitudes we see in places around the world that consider diversity and cosmopolitanism as undesirable and something to be put down.
It is totally out of character with what New Zealand and New Zealanders have to come to stand for today.
We do hope good sense will prevail. And soon enough, too.
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