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WASHINGTON, USA, July 23, 2004: A model of the Golden Temple of Amritsar graces the entrance to the new exhibit “Sikhs: Legacy of the Punjab,” in the Smithsonian Institution. Overhead, the faces of nine Gurus introduce visitors to the world of the Sikh people, where Sikh artwork, arms, clothing, coins, musical instruments and other artefacts are displayed. Paul Taylor, director of the Asian Cultural History Program, explained that at the start of the project, the museum contained nothing on Sikhism. With some 22 million members, and both a religion and an ethnic group, Sikhs outnumber many other religions, but are insufficiently understood in the United States, where between quarter and half a million live. This led to problems following the 9/11 terrorist attacks because Sikhs, who wear turbans and beards, were sometimes mistaken for Muslims. The Sikh homeland is the Punjab, now divided between India and Pakistan. Founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century, Sikhs believe in a single God. They were led by a series of Gurus, until they chose, as the last Guru, their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism is one of the few religions to do this. The Smithsonian initiative comes at a crucial time, for many Sikhs describe their religion as one that draws from both Islam and Hinduism; thus their presence in both India and Pakistan contributes to peace between them.

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