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New London
mayor surprises Sikhs
WSN Network
 LONDON:
London’s
maverick new mayor Boris Johnson chose to attend Baisakhi
celebrations of Sikh community here in his first public engagement
and declared that he will work to “unite all communities”, in an
attempt to build bridges with the city’s vast ethnic minorities.
Johnson, 43, who
has been viewed with suspicion on his views on minorities unlike his
predecessor Ken Livingstone who enjoyed their open support,
presented awards to young achievers from the Sikh community at the
Trafalgar Square on Sunday.
“I am going to
be a mayor for all
London
and work to unite communities,” he said apparently allaying fears
that the Conservative mayor would stop his office from supporting
ethnic minorities in London.
“One of the
wonderful things we have got in London is fantastic diversity - we
have got the whole world in a city,” the Tory leader said.
London’s
population is an estimated 12 to 14 million according to last census
in 2001. Nearly 13 per cent of Londoners are of South Asian origin.
Manjit Singh
Buttar, Chair of the Baisakhi in London Committee, said: “Baisakhi
is an important ceremony for all Sikhs around the world and promotes
friendship, mutual respect and peace along with the core values of
equality, diversity and tolerance for all, which are vital for a
multicultural city like London”.
The event began
with prayers, hymns and messages for peace performed by groups from
London Gurdwaras. Free vegetarian food was provided by the Sikh
community.
The afternoon
included performances of traditional and modern Asian music and
dance and DJ’s from Sunrise Radio, popular among South Asian
community, R&B artist Jay Sean and vocalist Alyssia.
7
May,
2008
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