Film on Sikh turbans adopted in Birmingham syllabus

A major film that seeks to dispel popular myths in western countries after September 11 about the turban worn by Sikhs has been accepted on the Birmingham City Council's agreed syllabus for religious education.

Several Sikhs sporting turbans were targeted after September 11 and the July 2005 London bombings.

The council's decision to accept the film titled 'Turbanology' as part of its religious education syllabus means that teachers throughout the Midlands will be able to draw upon it as a resource to educate and inform pupils about the turban and what it represents for Sikhs.

The film also sheds light on how the turban as a symbol has become connected to terrorism, how it has affected some Muslims who wear it and why the turban is represented in Christian age.

Religious Education Adviser Simone Whitehouse said, "This is a valuable resource in the current climate to understand misconceptions about faith and to build links with communities."

"It will be most valuable to show parts of this documentary demonstrating inclusion and identity, symbols of faith under the duty to promote community cohesion and shared understanding," he said.