Lawmakers urge Pentagon to end ban on Sikhs serving in army

March 11, 2014 09:27

A group of 105 US lawmakers has urged the Pentagon to lift the presumptive ban on Sikhs serving in the military by easing restrictions on beard, turbans, and other religious requirements.

"Given the achievements of these soldiers and their demonstrated ability to comply with operational requirements while practising their faith, we believe it is time for our military to make inclusion of practicing Sikh Americans the rule, not the exception," the lawmakers said in a letter to US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Led by Congressmen Joe Crowley, vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, and Rodney Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Defence Appropriations Subcommittee, the 105 members of the US House of Representatives requested that the US armed forces update their appearance regulations to once again allow Sikh Americans to serve while abiding by their articles of faith, such as wearing a turban or beard.

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