August 2007

The WSO expresses concern over the recent policy change by the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) which specifically includes the turban as an example of something that could be used to hide non-metallic threat items and allows for secondary screening and pat-downs. While we appreciate the utmost need to ensure security for all air travellers, WSO is concerned that the specific targeting of the turban as a security threat will have an enormous negative impact on the Sikh community. read more ..

The Word Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) welcomes the announcement by Passport Canada that they will be offering an apology and issuing travel documents to the Sidhu family of Surrey, British Columbia. The Sidhu children's passport applications had been rejected due to the wearing of Sikh religious head-gear. read more ..

Passport Canada has stated that it will issue an apology for denying passports to three Sikh children that were wearing patkas. Earlier, Passport Canada had sent letters to the family of the children saying that the pictures of the children did not meet specifications because the wearing of a "head covering is unacceptable." The WSO had sent a letter to the Minister of External Affairs on behalf of the family requesting that the misunderstanding by Passport Canada be corrected. read more ..