Under the Turban

A cheesemaker, a biker, a farmer, a model, a prince. They’re not all one person, but they all do have one thing in common—they are Sikhs. Originating nearly 500 years ago, Sikhism is now the world’s fifth largest religion, with many of its 25 million members choosing to express their commitment to their faith and culture by wearing a very recognizable piece of clothing—the turban. But who are these people, where do they live, and for what do they stand? Or, put simply, what makes one a Sikh? When nine-year-old Zara Garcha asks such a question, her family decides to answer it in a most extraordinary manner—by embarking on an international journey to learn about their heritage from modern day Sikhs. From Italy to India to Great Britain, Argentina, Canada, and the United States, Zara and her family traverse the globe and meet some of the most interesting, generous, and compassionate people on Earth. And in so doing, they remind us that, to fully understand our fellow human beings, we must judge not solely by what is on one’s head, but by what is in one’s heart.