Continuing the series on minority religions, today’s column explores Sikhism. Next Thursday, a look at Baha’is, with adherents in Coeur d’Alene.

•••

Our new administration shined a spotlight on minorities and immigration in a different way than you might think: With a cabinet pick. The new U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., née Nimrata Randhawa, a.k.a. former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, is the daughter of Sikh immigrants.

Sikhs are commonly mistaken for Hindus or Muslims (turbans do not all mean the same thing); neither is accurate.

Sikhism is fifth largest, and the youngest of the world’s major religions. Founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji more than 500 years ago, the Sikh (meaning “disciple” in Sanskrit) religion was born of a conflict in Northwest India’s Punjab region, where the majority of the world’s 25 million Sikhs still live. An estimated 500,000 live in the U.S.

A breakaway from both of India’s dominant religions of Hinduism and Islam, Sikhism represents an attempt to find a peaceful resolution to religious differences, synthesizing some elements of both to form the new faith.

Guru Nanak was the first of 10 “gurus,” or teachers, who developed Sikhism. A child of merchant class parents, his fascination with religion endured lifelong. At age 28, he went to a river to meditate (“Punjab” means five rivers). Three days later he returned, stating, “There is no Hindu and no Muslim.” Emphasizing brotherhood, he traveled, speaking out against empty religious rituals, pilgrimages, the caste system, the sacrifice of widows, and against the dependence upon books to learn religion. At meals, he required Muslims and Hindus of all castes to sit together.

Like Buddha centuries earlier, Nanak didn’t ask his listeners to follow him, but to focus on the spiritual teachings themselves. Follow him anyway they did, so they were called “guru’s disciples,” or Sikhs.

Sikhs believe in one god — symbolized by an ohm — whose doctrines are recorded (but not exclusively) in their sacred book, Adi Granth. Disputes are settled and interpretive resolutions passed by a spiritual council.

Sikhism retains Hindu concepts of the universe, karma, and reincarnation. From Islam, Sikhism retained the notion that religion and politics are one. However, Sikhism was also progressive for its time; Sikhs believe in gender equality. Guru Nanek held women in high esteem, advocating their strong role in society and promoting true friendship within marriage. In Sikhism, women and men are “equal before god.”

Just as mainstream Muslims do not identify or agree with extremists who claim the same faith, Sikhism should not be confused with self-styled “Sikh” political separatists, who ironically subdivide this religion founded on unity.

•••

Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network with degrees in international studies and law. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.