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TURBAN
BAN
Church, interfaith body to take up
Sikh issues
WSN Network
Amritsar: Before the Sikhs’ single
largest representative body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak
Committee, could raise the issues pertaining to the Sikh identity,
especially the turban ban in France post 9/11, at the international
platform, the Church of Scientology, World Council of Churches and
International Interfaith, Switzerland, had come for its rescue.
The Church of Scientology has decided to take up the issues
pertaining to protecting the Sikhs’ distinct identity with their
counterparts in France with an aim to generate a pressure group to
press upon French government to withdraw its controversial and
alleged anti-minority decision so they could enjoy their religious
freedom.
World Council of Churches Programme Executive president Jurg
Stettler, chairman Hans Ucko and secretary general Charles Graves
announced their decision in a special programme held at Gurdwara
Sahib, Langenthal, Switzerland on Monday. The function was organised
by Gurdwara Langenthal founder president Karan Singh.
Hans Ucko hailed the efforts of tiny Sikh community of Europe in
upholding their religious practices despite odds at various
countries.
“French example of curtailing rights of minorities was regrettable,”
said Hans, adding that French government was taking the secular
option too far. He said the World Council of Churches would take up
the matter with their French counterpart to try to work out the
protection of Sikhs’ identity and their religious symbols.Jurg
Stettler said the Church of Scientology was also subjected to
discrimination in France.
He said he had already taken up the issue with his French
counterpart Danielle Gourord of in Paris. Stettler was of view that
incidents of violation of Human Rights, be it religious issues,
should be taken up assertively on the international platform so that
justice could be delivered to the minority communities being
subjected to discrimination.
Charles Graves expressed concern over the incidents of hate crime on
Sikh community especially post 9/11. He said they would also give a
representation to the UNO for the cause.
28 March 2007
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