Non Sikh Wearing Kara

[gurdssingh]

Many shia muslims wear a kara, and they also call it a kara. It represents something about when prophet muhammads decendents i think imam ali or it might have been another imam. They where captured and chained (handcuffs, also some might wear on feet to represent feet chains. Not sure what they call them). So if you see muslims wearing a kara its not cos they pretending to be sikh(although some might to pull a punjabi girl), they most probably shia. Not all shia wear kara though.

[Guest Dr Virick]

Welcome

The Kara is a reminder of boundaries who set for yourself

The ethical boundaries are defined by reflective dialogs by you and your God

You try to live in these boundaries

Good life is comfortable yet defining..it is also personal

Without those ethical Norms the Kara is a peace of jewelry

Conversion to a formal religion is unnecessary

Just follow the spirit of the faith that

There is Oneness in ourselves and love is the driving force

[Guest Rampal Singh]

I personally do not think it's okay. If we make an excemption, before long everyone will be wearing it and it'll loose it meaning. All the 5'ks should be modelled on a proper Sikh.

Our community is also facing a problem due to non sikhs wearing our symbols and then doing silly things. It ends up giving our community a bad name.

[Guest Rampal Singh]

No expression of humanity(that includes spirituality) is the sole asset of any one sect, religion, etc. to the preciousness that is from "The Creator." The turban is not Sikh, it belongs to humanity thus many wear it. The Kara predates Sikhism it is not "ours" to claim. The Cross is not Christian in nature but was adopted by them. Like any great meaning...it is written within the heart, not to be displayed like peacock feathers..."all show and no go."

[Guest emily]

^{can I wear a kara with both my son's father's name and my son's name inscribed in punjab inside the kara when neither I nor my son is sikh. Would that be acceptable?}

[singher23]

^{can I wear a kara with both my son's father's name and my son's name inscribed in punjab inside the kara when neither I nor my son is sikh. Would that be acceptable?}

You cannot inscribe anything to a Kara. Kara is meant to be unbroken and have no imperfections like engravings or openings.

As for whether you can wear if you aren't a Sikh...read this thread entirely then decide

[Guest bini_shastar]

Are you talking about the mini-karas that everyone wears now, which were introduced by Nirmala amrit-dharis so they could play table and keertan. Or are you talking about real karas, bini shastars, that are heavy and can cause real damage?

[Guest Kaitlynxx]

I will admit that I am not Sikh, I actually would describe myself as a Spiritualist but i do weat the Kara every day. Truth be told I never take it off.

Neither of my parents are Sikh either but we all wear the Kara because my father grew up with an Indian family and he developed many similar beliefs and it was actually a member of his Sikh family (his brother) who suggested he wear the Kara to help remind him that he should always attemptto act in a way that is good and he wanted me to have that same reminder.

I apologise if us wearing the Kara is offensive to anyone of the Sikh faith, or any other faith for that matter, but I no longer feel comfortable without it.

Just a thought as well...I know several people who wear a Cross or Crucifix but are not of the Christian Faith and there is little concern regarding that. Why should there be a double standard?

xx

[Guest Truth & Beauty]

I am Jewish and my husband is Sikh. He has given me a kara to wear. I like it because since I am a woman, I cannot wear a tallit (tallis) and I think that the kara represents the same ideas and is easy for a woman to wear. I don't think I'd wear one for any other reason. Neither my husband nor I would consider converting, but we do respect one another's faith and this particular thing - the wearing of the kara - seems to me to bridge the gap for us in some way.:-)

[Kazzie]

I am also a non-sikh who wears a kara. I have chosen to do this after much research and do so with utmost respect to its meaning. I was initially concerned that my wearing of the kara would be perceived as disrespectful to the sikh community but I have been assured that this is not the case.

I feel it keeps me grounded as I glance at it throughout the day.