The fight of Harshaan Athwal to wear his patka at the soccer field was won when the State of Pennsylvania Referee Association issued new guidelines allowing religious headgear on the field.
Reiterating the need for religious exemptions, the association declared that the secretary general of the United States Soccer Federation 'has given permission to those bound by religious law to wear such head coverings, usually a turban or yarmulke [Jewish skull cap].'
Athwal, 13, an eighth grader at Springhouse Middle School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was refused permission to play in a youth soccer match November 4 because the referee felt his patka was a safety risk to players of the opposing team. On November 11, he was again denied permission to play in a match by a different referee, who said the jura, his knotted hair on top of his head, could physically harm another player.
Following these incidents, his mother Jaswant Kaur Athwal approached the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which sent a letter to the Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League based in Macungie, Pennsylvania, explaining what a patka means.
'Like other devout Sikhs, Harshaan wraps his uncut hair and covers it with a patka. Harshaan's hair and patka have deep religious meaning to him, reflecting his personal relationship with and devotion to God. A turban is not an optional clothing item to put on and remove at will, like a baseball cap,' it said.
'I was worried that Harshaan wouldn't be allowed to play soccer anymore due to his patka,' his mother said.
In light of the incidents, the league held a meeting to discuss the incidents. Many local residents also came out to support Athwal, including many parents, fellow players and members of the team's
coaching staff.
In a letter, Bernie Bennett, president of the league, said, 'It is the league's fondest wish that every youth be allowed to participate in the beautiful game, regardless of race, religion, gender nationality,
economic status, athletic ability, or any other classification.'
The league also sent a formal letter of regret to SALDEF for refusing Athwal permission to play.
'I would like this to set a precedent, so no other child or mother has to go through this ordeal,' Jaswant Kaur said.
"We would like to thank the Athwal family for their courage in bringing this issue to SALDEF's attention," said SALDEF managing director Kavneet Singh.
