Edina Sikhs Discuss Their Faith

Most Americans can trace their heritage to distant lands. Their ancestors came to Minnesota with different cultures and faiths. They settled here, worked here, raised families here and contributed to the dynamic success of this country. This story continues today. Families move to Edina, bringing traditions that may look strange to earlier immigrants. Getting to know our neighbors can help bridge misunderstanding and create harmony through the appreciation of diversity. Three notable Edina residents—professionals with homes, families and hopes for the future—are Sikhs, a faith unfamiliar to many of their neighbors. Dr. Navneet Majhail is a hematologist-oncologist and adjunct associate professor of hematology, oncology and transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He is also an assistant scientific director with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and medical director for the National Marrow Donor Program. Majhail has lived in Edina since 2007. “It’s been a great life in Edina,” says Majhail. “We moved here on the recommendation of friends and colleagues and because of the great schools. We enjoy our neighbors and community. In general, people have been very accepting of diversity and our religion.” Male members of the Sikh faith don’t cut their hair and they wear a turban. Majhail says that since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a common misconception of Sikhs is that they are Muslim. In fact, Sikhism is a modern religion founded in 1500 AD in the Punjab region of India. Its teachings arose as a peaceful, reform response to conflicts between Hindu and Islam, which are prevalent in that part of the world. The tragic shooting at a Sikh temple in Milwaukee this past summer is a recent example of  prejudice against members of the Sikh faith. Majhail says that after the shooting, a neighbor reached out to him, a gesture he greatly appreciates. Kehar Singh says that a misguided fanatic in any religion can cause a backlash. “Sikhs had similar experiences during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979,” he says. As a Sikh and resident of Edina, he says he has lived here since 1983 with few problems. “My daughter went to Edina High School. My son went to Breck. We chose to live in Edina because it is convenient to everything, including the airport, which was important when I was working. I’m now retired. Most people in Edina are quite tolerant. But the more we talk, inform people that Sikhism is a faith that accepts all other religions, is peaceful and teaches equality of all people, we hope more will come to understand.” Singh has been instrumental in establishing the Sikh Society of Minnesota and a Sikh temple, known as a gurdwara, in Bloomington. “In the gurdwara,” says Singh, “We all sit on the floor. This puts everybody on the same level. Our beliefs include supporting anybody who needs support, not just family. We want to work hard, earn an honest living and share with everybody. We believe in one god. We don’t believe in a caste system or in any idols. When we pray, we pray for all of humanity, not just for ourselves. We want to do good deeds and serve humanity. Sikhs believe that we all came from one source and we want to get back to that source, to become one with God.” Sikh teachings of equality resonate with Dr. Jasjit Ahluwalia. He is executive director for the Center for Health Equity, associate director of the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and professor of medicine at University of Minnesota medical school. “Sikhs want to promote social justice and eradicate any type of caste system,” says Ahluwalia. “Theoretically, we view the roles of women the same as men. This view of equality also informs my professional work with minorities.” Ahluwalia lives in Edina with his wife and children. He grew up mostly in New York and has virtually no accent but he says that some view him differently because of his faith. “Prejudice is linked to fear of the unknown,” says Ahluwalia. “I invite people to ask me about my faith so that I might address any fear of the unknown. I hope when somebody sees a Sikh in Edina after reading this story, that they’ll feel comfortable saying, ‘I read the story about Sikhism.’ Or just say hello. They could even offer a traditional Sikh greeting, ‘Sat Sri Akal’ [which, roughly translated, means “Blessed is he who says God is truth”]. That would bring a smile to my face.” Majhail, Singh and Ahluwalia each say that they love living in Edina. They settled here and look forward to a future here. These are a few of our neighbors. And it’s time we all get to know them and others like them better.