July 10, 2005

The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR), on behalf of the US Sikh community, strongly condemns the recent heinous bombings in London. We are shocked and grieved at this human tragedy. We pray for the persons who died and those wounded in the bombings. We honor and salute the brave rescue personnel who put their own lives at risk to save the survivors.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General of WSC-AR, remarked, "As people of faith, we abhor the brutal bombings in London. In a world being increasingly polarized along ethnic, religious, racial, and nationalistic ideologies, we must find just and peaceful resolutions to conflicts."

The British Government has shown some restraint in not stereotyping any minority community with collective guilt. We appreciate these sentiments of the government.

A few unfortunate incidents of harassment and attacks on British places of worship have been reported in the media. We condemn any and all such stereotyping and incidents of hate and prejudice.

Two Sikh Gurdwaras (places of worship) in Britain, one in Erith and the other in Leeds, are reported to have been attacked. In addition, a Sikh bus driver in Copenhagen, Denmark was attacked with baseball bats. The assailants are reported to have shouted "London" as they beat the Sikh. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the attack. Attacks on mosques in Britain have also been reported.

"We call upon the British Government and the European Union to work swiftly to protect religious minorities and their places of worship from hate crimes and attacks," added Dr. Tarunjit Singh.

Traditionally Sikh men wear a turban and sport a beard as an article of their faith. Because Osama Bin Laden wears a turban and has a beard, some people may associate him with the Sikh community. Any association between Sikhs and Osama Bin Laden or his associates is completely incorrect, and against Britain's commitment of freedom and justice for all.

The WSC-AR is a representative and elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and institutions in the United States. Its members include 37 Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) and other Sikh institutions across the nation.

World Sikh Council – America Region