Sikhs in Canada

Sikhism was founded in the 16th century in the Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan. It was founded by Guru Nanak and is based on his teachings and those of the 9 Sikh gurus who followed him. The Sikh faith began around 1500 CE when Guru Nanak began teaching a faith that was quite distinct from Hinduism and Islam. There are approximately 20 million followers worldwide, most of whom live in the Punjab province of India.

Canadian Sikhs number roughly 468,670 people and account for roughly 1.4% of Canada's population. Sikhism is a world religion with over 35 million followers worldwide, with the majority of their population in Punjab, India. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario celebrates the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month.

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All Sikh Gurus since Guru Nanak have worn turbans. However, covering one's hair with a turban was made an official policy by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. The main reasons to wear a turban is to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity.

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ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥

ਹਸਤੀ ਸਿਰਿ ਜਿਉ ਅੰਕਸੁ ਹੈ ਅਹਰਣਿ ਜਿਉ ਸਿਰੁ ਦੇਇ ॥

ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਆਗੈ ਰਾਖਿ ਕੈ ਊਭੀ ਸੇਵ ਕਰੇਇ ॥

ਇਉ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਰਾਜੁ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਾ ਲੇਇ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਜਾ ਆਪੇ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥੧॥

Shalok, Third Mehla:

The elephant offers its head to the reins, and the anvil offers itself to the hammer;

just so, we offer our minds and bodies to our Guru; we stand before Him, and serve Him.

This is how the Gurmukhs eliminate their
self-conceit, and come to rule the whole world.

O Nanak, the Gurmukh understands, when the Lord casts His Glance of Grace. ||1||

- Guru Granth Sahib Ji