Editor's Note: Below is an except from the following video
The fact that young people grow up learning how to respect other cultures is being credited with acceptance of the Sikh community in Kerman.
"In Kerman, with approximately %6 Punjabi students, you're going to see these students all the way through their education, from pre-school all the way through high-school."
The Sikhs have a rich history in Kerman. As immigrants, from the Punjab region of India, many chose to settle here because of the rich farm land. They are now a huge part of the community.
Rupinder Gill says, "I think, especially in and around Kerman, I think people know about us Punjabis and they respect our culture, they know about our culture."
Rupinder Gill teaches Punjabi at Kerman high school. The district started offering the coarse almost 16 years ago. Students take the foreign language almost like they would take Spanish or French. It's a chance for the younger generation of Sikhs to learn their own language.
"I want to go past knowing about it and more into reading and writing it, learning about all my roots and heritage." Said one of the students Jass Rai
It helps students like Elaine Sanchez better understand her friends, "I was different and I have friends that are Punjabi so to learn more about their religion and their culture interested me."
To learn why they wear the turban, understanding the significance and tradition of an eleborate Sikh wedding. They say education and acceptance of their differences helps wipe out hate and fear.
"They know more about our cultreu, they know more about our heritage and what we come from and what our faith stands for compared to thinking we are related to any kind of terrorist group." Said Jass Rai