Can YOU tell the difference between a Sikh and a Muslim?

Yes, I can tell the difference between a Muslim and a Sikh. Sikhs wear turbans and they carry/wear the 5 k's:

Kesh-uncut hair

Kangha-comb

Kara-steel bracelet

Kirpan-sword

Kachhera-special pants

Sikhs tend to be/speak Punjabi while a Muslim can be of any nationality. I dont think Sikhs pray 5 times a day like Muslims do. As far as I know, Sikh women dont wear hijab/purdah/veils.

The full Sikh turban is usually a give away!

As long as they all play cricket they should be considered decent and civilised. Most Sikhs I have met not only love their cricket (like all right thinking people should) but they also are some of the nicest and most generous people I have ever met.

The rest of the world needs realised that something as civilised as a game with meal breaks can solve most if not all of the worlds problems.

Nope. Actually, I can't even tell muslim men apart from other men, or muslim women apart from other women unless they're wearing a hijab. So I'm quite sure I'd have no clue when it comes to knowing the difference between a Sikh and a muslim.

There are all kinds of crazies out there in the world though. I'm sure that even if we were all color blind, and had grown up in the exact same home with the exact same life experiences, and wore the exact same outfits and exact same jewelry... being still human, some would inevitably manage to come up with reasons to hurt each other. How sad.

Sikhism is religion of Indian decent. The closest thing to violence that the Sikhs came is wearing a Kirpan which is used in the baptism of the sword. The kirpan however was not viewed as a weapon but more of an emblem. Th4e kirpan is what distinguishes Sikhs.

A bit of an introduction: Sikhs follow Sikhism, which is an offshoot of Hinduism. Sikhism was born during islamic invasion of India, when Hindus, who were very tolerant to Muslims at that time, were being suppressed, killed, raped or converted to islam. Sikhs were the first people of India to successfully fight against Muslim oppression and the ones who tried to prevent islamic influx from the pakistani area (there was no pakistan then), which they still do at the border. Majority of the Indian army stationed at the Pakistani border are Sikhs. Sikhs are not muslims, and they don't go to mosques. Their religion is based on the essence of Hinduism, however their customs are different from that of hindus.

In US, the reason why they got mixed up with the muslims, is because of the beard they grow and the turban (a head scarf) they wear, which makes them look similar to muslims, although their turban is different from a muslim head scarf. Sikh men grow long hair and cover it in the turban. The reason for th long hair and turban dates back to the time of origin of Sikhism. During the time when their families were killed, women raped and their villages looted by the muslims, the Sikh men vowed that they shall not cut their hair untill they fought muslim oppression and their families are safe. It was like a reminder of their cause. It's the same reason behind Sikh men carrying a dagger with them, and also why all Sikh men have the same last name 'Singh' (meaning, a lion) and all Sikh women "Kaur" (meaning, a lioness). Both men and women equally participated in their struggle then. However, the turban, hair, beard and the dagger are their pride and only symbols of their traditions now, and nothing more. They are generous and polite people.

How can I tell the difference? Well, sometimes I get confused too by the looks, but here a few tips:

1. Their turban is a bit different from that of muslims

2. Sikh girls do not cover their faces with veils

3. Ask their name. Singh -> Sikh. Something else -> a possible muslim

4. Their native language is different. It doesn't have the 'throat clearing' sounds of the middle-eastern languages

5. Humour a Sikh about Sikhs, he'll laugh. Humour a muslim about muslims, he gets offended.

6. Criticise a Sikh about his religion, he'll reason out or ignore. Do the same to a muslim, you know what happens.

7. Sikhs are HUGE fans of music and dance. For many muslims, music is haram. And dance! What is it? That reminds me of the belly dance, lol.

**Sigh**. Long post! Ciao

Nope I can't tell the difference.

But even post 9/11 I didn't discriminate against the many good men and women of the Muslim faith. (or anyone of Middle Eastern decent for that matter.)

Sikh men usually wear turbans on their heads. Muslim women usually wear hijabs.

Sikh men go by the last name of 'Singh,' & Sikh women go by the last name of 'Kaur.'

Muslims do not have a unifying last name.

I could tell the difference...but I've been around many cultures..plus...I wouldn't stereotype Americans..not everyone is the same..and they do good stuff for Muslims too you know....

Yes, I can. My friend had to shave his beard and cut his hair to prevent such confusion. However, there were other Sikh in my area who wear traditional garments. They do not witness enough persecuted enough to change their appearance. I hope they witnessed none. :)

Yes. Sikhs generally carry around their ornamental dagger.