A UF student organization unwrapped the religion of Sikhism on Turlington Plaza Thursday afternoon.
The Sikh Student Association wove colorful strips of cotton around the heads of 22 participants in honor of Turban Day, UF’s first Sikhism awareness day.
In Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that originated in India and has more than 23 million followers worldwide, the turban is used as a badge of identity, said Hardeep Saluja, a Sikh Student Association member who wears a turban.
Saluja helped the organization wrap turbans for the entirety of the event, which lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. He was there with other members of the association to discourage stereotypes associated with turban wearers and to inform the public about the religion.
Students who participated agreed to wear the turban for an hour. They signed a contract saying they wouldn’t cut their hair while they wore the turban and would not consume or handle alcohol, drugs or tobacco.
Students received a $15 gift certificate to either Target or Starbucks for wearing the turban.
UF freshman Jose Ceballos wore a red turban.
“It’s a lot different than what I thought it was going to be like. It’s warm,” Ceballos said.
Saluja, who also wore a red turban, said Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world and has its own identity involving a combination of strength and devotion to God, he said.
