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[Profile - Diary]
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Sikh Community Prays for Respect and Tolerance in
Aftermath of Religious Assault in Edinburgh
The attack on a Sikh boy and cutting of his hair by a gang of youths in Edinburgh has come as a shock to Sikhs across United Kingdom.
In line with Sikh practice, many Sikhs keep their hair unshorn as a respect to God’s natural creation of human beings. Sikhs believe that hair is a gift from God, and should therefore not be tampered with. Unadulterated hair is an integral symbol of the Sikh faith and the refraining from removal of hair is viewed as a way of living in accordance with the will of the Almighty. The forced cutting of hair is one of the most offensive acts against a Sikhs practice of faith and an assault as distasteful as rape. Throughout our short history Sikhs have resisted forcible attempts to cut their hair and many have faced torturous death upon refusal.
The current climate of persistent attack on religious symbols and articles of faith by public figures and media is creating an atmosphere of hate and raising barriers for communities to come together
at a time when barriers should be pulled down. This is clearly having an adverse effect on our society and alienating normal law abiding people who are well integrated and part of British society, and in this case in Scottish society. The question being asked is why an assault of this nature has taken place after 3 or 4 generations of established settlement and the turban being a recognisable symbol of Scottish and British diversity. As there has not been a change in the education young people receive regarding the beliefs that live amongst us. This rise in hostilities towards religious symbols seems to have been sparked by the current climate of intolerance.
The Sikh community is alarmed at the increasing level of attacks on Sikhs, especially on Sikh men since 9/11 and particularly after 7/7. Sikhs are one of the most visible of ethnic minorities, which is why they are one of the easiest targets for racist and bigoted abuse. Post 9/11, many Sikhs have felt the wrath of racist, oblivious and uneducated people who see a turban and beard and automatically assume a connection with terrorism.
This assault however is not one of mistaken identity or general racism. This assault is an attack on an article of the Sikh faith. Whilst this is an isolated incident it is one of the most disturbing examples yet of the growing trend of attacking symbols of religion with many reports in the past several years of incidents at not just Sikh places of worship but also Mosques. It is a failure of the social fabric of our society that innocent people, whether a young Sikh boy in Edinburgh or a Muslim lady in Liverpool are now having to face harrowing tales of indignity and fear of the cruellest intentions. Whether Sikhism approves of it or not, a burka for a Muslim woman is a choice she makes as to her observance of her faith. It is not for a Sikh, another Muslim or a Minister to direct her as to whether she is right in observing her faith. Yet it would be right for the Muslim community to have that debate amongst its adherents. The recent hysteria about articles of faith and separation from society are already damaging our society and leading to assaults and a sense of policing of religion by public opinion.
The general success of the Sikh community demonstrates that observance of religious symbols is not a sign of separation. It is not only the bravery and contribution of Sikhs in both World Wars, but their input into the economic, social and cultural developments of the past 50 years to help make Britain what it is today that has made Sikhs an inseparable component of their local communities. Sikhs are probably one of the most visible and identifiable religious groupings and yet they are also one of the most integrated communities the world over. It is therefore not articles of faith which fuel separation but intolerance, especially intolerance fuelled by political motives. Separation of religion from civic society is a proven failure in France where it has led to increased intolerance and only benefited the far right.
We all have a responsibility to create a society which not only tolerates but also respects individuals regardless of their appearance, dialect or practice. Religious leaders and communities must weed out the rhetoric of hate and fear and replace it with the psalms of love and peace by spreading the message of respect for the practices of others. In this the media also has a responsibility to identify the culprits whose mission is to destroy society and not allow the labelling of whole communities through unbalanced reporting and even education. The state has an overall responsibility to support a cohesive society and control and monitor the activities of those groups which breed hatred.
People across the country will be expecting a result in finding those who have committed this crime and anticipate justice through due process. However, what will become of the young lad who was made to undergo such a heart wrenching ordeal? His soul has been raped by these individuals; the memory o f this ordeal will linger with him, his family and the rest of the community. In this modern era, the lack of empathy and compassion for fellow man is vast deteriorating, and news of crimes being committed with utmost brutality no longer comes as a shock.
Sikhs have a long affinity with Scotland, where many of the first Sikhs to settle in the UK settled in the port towns and cities. It is heart-warming to see that despite the horrific nature of this assault, the friendship and respect Sikhs have for the people of Scotland has in no way been undermined. The Sikh community of Edinburgh have been encouraged by the many messages of support and compassion they have received from their neighbours. It is the human spirit which must endure and by the Grace of God bring about normality to otherwise arduous journeys.
We are praying that the intolerance we are experiencing does not become part of an unending cycle of uncontrollable hate and retribution in our society. In this respect a Vigil for Peace and Respect has been arranged by the Sikh community of Edinburgh and Glasgow and is being attended by Sikhs from Scotland, England and Wales. Leaders of all faiths have been invited.
Meeting Point: 12.00 – 1.00pm Guru Nanak Gurdwara
1 Sheriff Brae
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6TJ
Prayers: 2.00 – 4.00 pm Pilrig Park
Edinburgh
Please contact local Gurdwaras and Interfaith Groups for transport.
Confirmed transport:
Southall Singh Sabha
Slough Singh Sabha
Guru Nanak Gurdwara West Bromwich
Walsall / Willenhall
Wolverhampton
Birmingham
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