DARE TO ASK: Spring line of turbans not likely

By PHILLIP MILANO, The Times-Union

Question

You know how Islam people wear turbans? Do they ever make a fashion statement with them? Like do they have Louis Vuitton turbans,or turbans with checkered or plaid patterns?

Roland, 15, Clay County

Replies

Just a friendly note, it's not "Islam people," it's Muslim people or Muslims. Most Muslims don't wear turbans; turbans are traditional in some countries like Afghanistan, Sudan and Oman. They are virtually unknown elsewhere except among Shiia clergy. And the answer is yes, in countries where they are traditional, they come in all shapes and colors. Some are made of expensive materials and have brand visibility. If it is clearly a high-quality turban, it can be a class statement I guess.

Karim, 27, Muslim, Los Angeles

To follow up on the above response, "Islam" is the religion, like "Christianity" or "Buddhism."

Laurie, Boston

Expert says

Now that Roland's up to speed on terminology:

There's some pretty heady, stylish Muslim and Arab garb out there (check out the hijabs, keffiyehs, kufis and veils at alhannah.com and artizara.com), but if we're talking turban, we're most likely talking about the headgear of Sikhs, most of whose 23 million adherents live in India but who can be found all over the world.

In fact, Sikhism is the only faith that requires wearing it as part of the actual religion, as opposed to it being a cultural norm, which is the case with most clothing in the Middle East, said Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, founder of sikhnet.com. He also helps out with ratemyturban.com. (Haven't weighed in? We like manmeet-singhsaluja's powder-blue affair - chic and not overstated - but its current rating is only 8.11 out of 10. Go vote.)

While designers like Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs have put out trendy $125 to $600 turbans of late, these are secular items for the wound-piece-of-cloth-deprived lady in your life and aren't associated with Sikhism.

Turbans for Sikhs do come in many different styles, patterns and colors, but they aren't as commercially "fashionized," Khalsa said.

"For a Sikh the turban is part of your identity, your body . . . It's about people recognizing who we are, so people know we are Sikh," he said. "But we don't do it as an ego thing, like 'Look how pimped out I am.'

"It's not about putting on a show, but if [a nice-looking turban] is within reason, that's OK. You just don't want to make a mockery of it, like branding it, which would degrade the purpose."

Incidentally, because of turbans' religious significance, the Transportation Security Administration recently changed its airport search guidelines so turbans don't have to be removed in public. Only if other methods like metal detectors, pat-downs or X-ray machines can't rule out a turban as a potential threat would a screener now be allowed to ask a passenger to remove the turban in a private screening area.

Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip. milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.