British Photographers Showed the Beauty of Sikh Americans

British photographers Amit and Naroop who identify as Sikh shot a series of portraits of Sikh people in America, The Huffington Post writes. An exhibition of their works organized with the support of the Sikh Coalition will take place in New York City between September 16 and September 25.

Sikhs are the people from India who practice Sikhism, a system of beliefs based on Hinduism and Islam. In the recent years they have fallen victim to Islamophobia, caused by terror attacks of September 11. At the same time, most Americans know nothing of their religion.

The photographers say they could feel the influence of terror attacks on perception on the Sikhs by other people even in Britain, although the British know the difference between Sikhs and Muslims. In addition, Sikh Americans are discriminated: wearing of turban which is holy to them is limited by the law, and may prevent them from serving in the army or police.

“America seems to be behind in its acceptance of the turban as an integral part of a Sikh’s identity,” photographers Amit and Naroop say. “It’s not an accessory that can be removed at will.”

Sikh Coalition is one of the organization that aims to fight discrimination. It was established soon after the attacks on the Sikhs which followed the tragedy on September 11, 2001. According to the executive director of the organization Sapreet Kaur, in 15 years after the events it seems it is a good time to show the Americans the beauty of the Sikhs, their belief, and the spirit of their people.

Photographers selected people for the shoot both through hand selection and casting. Amit and Naroop are hoping to show portraits of the people who are breaking the stereotypes about the Sikhs, such as Captain Simratpal Singh from the U.S. Army and Deputy Sheriff Harinder Kaur Khalsa.