The Sikh Federation (UK) in association with the Sikh Channel and Operation Black Vote has invited leading politicians from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green Parties to take part in high profile BBC Question Time style programmes – Sikh Vote 2010.

Representatives from each of the mainstream political parties are expected to take part with representatives from the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and UK Independence Party also being on the Panel.

Issues of importance to Sikhs in the UK will be discussed so that individuals can make a well informed voting decision at the General Election. The issues range from fair representation in public life, the 2011 Census, protecting and promoting the Sikh identity in the UK and EU, freedom to wear the five articles of faith, human rights concerns etc.

These issues and many more need to be on the radar of political parties and MPs seeking the votes of Sikhs. Sikhs born in the UK comprise around two-thirds of all UK Sikhs and are becoming particularly mindful of who will best represent their needs and deliver on their promises.

There will be weekly events in five major cities in lecture theatre style venues at UK Universities.

You need to register in advance with the Sikh Federation (UK) by emailing your name, full address and the event in which you wish to participate to info@sikhfederation.com. There will be a restriction on audience numbers so please book your place as soon as possible.

A Sikh Federation (UK) representative will chair each of the events. All questions to be asked will be based on suggestions from the audience. Feel free to email suggested questions to info@sikhfederation.com.

Refreshments will be provided to members of the audience and Panel members between 2.00-2.30pm. The Sikh Federation (UK) will be working with University Sikh Societies and local Gurdwaras to ensure the events are a success. The programmes are expected to be televised on the Sikh Channel (Sky 840).

The Sikh Federation (UK) has today lodged a judicial review claim against the ONS for not including a ‘Sikh’ ethnic question tick-box in the 2011 Census.

The 17-page pre-action letter issued to the ONS by Bindmans, a top law firm specialising in human rights and discrimination with nationally recognised leading experts, asserts the decision not to include an ethnic tick-box in the 2011 Census, and the decision-making process leading up to it, is unlawful.

The letter points out serious limitations in the Equality Impact Assessment and prioritisation exercise carried out by the ONS.

The ONS is specifically accused of:
a) failing to gather or commission research that would have provided them with the information needed to make a considered decision;
b) failing to consider relevant information that was already available to them prior to both exercises; and
c) considering irrelevant or flawed information.

The letter states: “ONS’s failure to gather and consider relevant information has led them to reach inadequate and incorrect conclusions which are unsupported by facts.”

“Substantial under-counting of the Sikh population, and its implications in terms of equality monitoring and the provision of services, is an issue of serious concern within the Sikh community.”

The letter concludes:

“There can be no doubt that failure to include Sikhs in the ethnic category of the Census disadvantages them by comparison with ethnic groups who are included. The omission of Sikhs renders them invisible as an ethnic group. The invisibility of Sikhs means that their distinct needs are overlooked in terms of the provision of services and equality monitoring. At its lowest, this means that public authorities cannot identify the needs of Sikhs, or the disadvantages suffered by them, and cannot therefore promote equality of opportunity or eliminate discrimination.”

The ONS will have 14 days to provide a response.

EDM 1079 – Muslims in Britain :

“That this House opposes the increased demonisation of Muslims in sections of the media; expresses its deep concern at the recent visit to the House of Lords by the far right politician Geert Wilders; condemns the English Defence League demonstration outside Parliament in support of Geert Wilders and their slogans and placards inciting hatred, such as their demand for the closure of the East London Mosque, that will only lead to a climate of fear, division and disharmony; welcomes the participation and contribution of Muslims in British society, including in politics; believes that the full participation of all communities in the forthcoming general election is in the interests of democracy.”

Please ask your MP to sign EDM 1079 by clicking here.

The motion follows rising concerns about negative portrayal of Muslims in sections of the media and anti-Muslim demonstrations by extreme right wing groups such as the English Defence League, which recently marched on Parliament demanding the closure of the East London Mosque. If they had singled out a Church or Synagogue, there would rightly be an outcry.

We believe the targeting of communities in this way is creating a climate of fear and division, and undermines civil liberties and the right to freedom of expression. The motion welcomes the contribution of Muslim communities and their full participation in British society, including in politics.

News release
For immediate release
2nd January 2010

Following the failed terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on 25th December 2009, many media reports have used the fact that the perpetrator was a student in London who was active in a student Islamic Society to imply that this appalling act was incited by the perfectly normal activities of Islamic Societies in London colleges.

Such views have been rejected by Malcolm Grant, provost of University College London (UCL), who said that reports that Abdulmutallab developed extreme views whilst studying at UCL were “spectacular insinuation”, and has ordered a review of the 23-year-old’s time at the university. Attacks on Islamic Societies are unjustified, and whip up an atmosphere of fear and even hatred towards all Muslims.

Islamic Societies – like Jewish, Christian and other faith groups – are a normal part of student life. Islamic Societies give their members social support, discuss issues of faith, and, among many other activities, are a means of inter-faith and inter-community dialogue.

Islamic societies also respond to Islamophobia – for example following a vicious assault on Muslim students leaving prayers at City University in November, the Islamic Societies supported the victims and gathered support for widespread condemnation of the perpetrators.

Responses to this terrorist attack that encourage hostility to all Muslims and their expressions of faith add to an atmosphere which is already leading to stepped-up attacks and assaults on Muslims.

In addition to the incident at City University mentioned above, in recent months there has been a rise in physical attacks on Muslims, including two murders – of a taxi driver in Birmingham and a man in Tooting, South London. In Rochdale in the North West a Muslim woman was violently attacked by a BNP supporter who attempted to rip off her Hijab. Fascist and far-right groups have held numerous overtly anti-Muslim demonstrations, including two outside a Mosque.

Sabby Dhalu, National Assembly Against Racism Co-ordinator said:
“Part of the route to countering terrorism lies in ensuring that Britain’s Muslim communities are respected and included in all aspects of society. The overwhelming majority of Muslims resident in the UK abhor acts like that attempted by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on 25th December 2009, and support the work of the police and others in identifying those advocating such inhuman acts.

“Isolating and stigmatising all Muslims in response to such incidents undermines these efforts and the basis of an integrated society where all are free to express their faith and culture as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others to do the same.

“Unilateral and unsubstantiated attacks on the role of Islamic Societies in London colleges, propagated by right-wing institutes like the Centre for Social Cohesion, undermine these efforts and whip up fear and prejudice against Muslims.

“Such attacks on the Islamic faith as a whole would be utterly rejected if the target was Jewish or Christian societies.

“The media should stop giving prime time to those whose only contribution is to whip up Islamaphobia, which can lead to increased violence against Muslims as recent cases demonstrate, and whose prejudiced and sneering views about a faith practiced by over a billion people in the world, serve no purpose in fighting terrorism.”

Faisal Hanjra, spokesman for Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) said:
“It was with great relief that we learnt that this attempted terror attack on a US airliner was thwarted; it is though deeply concerning that this individual who was known to the security services was allowed to slip through the various layers of security and bring on board explosive material.

“This is clearly a very complicated case, with numerous dimensions and complexities. What is needed is a fully informed picture as to the whereabouts and behaviour of the individual in question in the run up to recent events.

“We reaffirm our stance that there is no credible evidence to suggest that university campuses in the UK are arenas of radicalisation or that students are particularly at risk of the threat of radicalisation.

“We remain committed, in conjunction with various partners and organisations, to ensure that universities remain safe places for both students and staff.”

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General said:
“We all have a collective duty to stand against those who wish to perpetrate terror against innocent civilians where-ever it may occur. Terror and violence is not the way to convey a message however legitimate the cause may be. It is totally counter-productive. While the suspected individual has been arrested and charged, the due process of the law should take its course and all individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. There has been hysterical commentary on its alleged links to the United Kingdom, even though terrorism is now a transient phenomenon and draws its strength from informal transnational networks. The overwhelming majority of Muslims have no truck with extremists. This is borne out by credible research showing that Muslims in the UK are the most patriotic in Europe.

“Moreover there are approximately 100,000 Muslim students at universities across the UK, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding and play a full and active role in student life. Muslim students, who come to study in the UK from across the world have contributed immensely to the culture, society and economy of the UK. The actions of one misguided individual should not tarnish the reputation of the majority. We will let terrorists win if bigotry is allowed to flourish.”

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, NUS Black Students Officer said:
“The NUS Black Students Campaign condemns the attempted terrorist attack on 25th December. Terrorist attacks are indiscriminate, taking victims of all backgrounds, all walks of life, of all faiths and none.

“The NUS Black Students Campaign believes the most effective way of combating terrorism is to work with all communities, including the Muslim community, including on campuses.

“On campuses, Muslim students have become the victims of a hostile climate which saw students stabbed at City University, and Muslim women having their Hijabs ripped off. Such divisions only work to the advantage of all extremists who want to see our society divided.

“We therefore fully support the efforts of the Muslim community, including the Federation of Student Islamic Societies on campuses, in building cross-community relations across society.

Notes to editors:

1. Advance notice:
   There will be a “One Society Many Cultures” session at the “Progressive London: A Progressive Agenda to stop the Right in 2010” conference, Saturday 30th January, TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, WC1H
   Speakers include: Ken Livingstone, Sadiq Khan MP, Tessa Jowell MP, Doreen Lawrence, Speech Debelle, Jon McClure Reverend and the Makers, Jenny Jones AM Green Party, Mike Tuffrey leader London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Professor Tariq Ramadan, Edie Friedman Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Bruce Kent Vice President CND, Karen Buck MP, Anas Altikriti, Jon Cruddas MP, George Galloway MP, Wilf Sullivan TUC Race Equality Officer and many others.
2. One Society Many Cultures is a campaign that defends our most fundamental human rights including the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and cultural expression. It took hundreds of years of struggles, including international and civil wars, to establish the freedoms of religious and cultural expression and these must be vigorously upheld subject only to the proportionate protection of the human rights and freedoms of others. These universal rights must be defended for all groups in society.

1st December 2009
FAO: Newsdesk

For immediate release

The decision by the referendum in Switzerland to ban minarets has been condemned by Ken Livingstone, faith community representatives and Unite the Union.

The referendum was proposed by the far right Swiss People’s Party and gained 57.5% of the vote, despite opposition from the Swiss government, Church leaders and the Vatican. The Swiss People’s Party utilised imagery and campaigns that whipped up hostility against Muslims in the run-up to the referendum.

Switzerland currently has only four minarets on Mosques.

Ken Livingstone said:
“The ban on minarets in Switzerland, a country that only has four minarets, is an attack not only on Muslims, but on the most basic freedoms in society. It has come off the back of the electoral growth of the far right in Switzerland. If this had been a similar ban on Synagogues or Church spires, it would have been rightly met with revulsion. Yet across Europe we are seeing intimidation and attacks against Muslims and others by emboldened fascists who are using Islamophobia to grow. Here, Nick Griffin was given a national TV appearance on Question Time to promote prejudice against Muslims. The far right made gains in Europe in the first half of the last century by demonising and attacking Jewish people. Let this referendum be a rallying call for all democrats – we must challenge Islamophobia and racism if we are to stop the far right.”

Dr. Abdul Bari, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said:
“The Swiss referendum results today show how far and how quickly Europe is moving in the wrong direction in its attitudes and policies towards Muslims and other minority groups in Europe. Mosques and minarets in our European cities are manifestations of the proudly indigenous nature of Islam in Europe. It is tragic that the Far Right is stripping away at our illustrious heritage of coexistence between different faiths and cultures in Europe and replacing it with their warped and xenophobic outlook. The rise in anti-Muslim prejudice that has accompanied the Swiss opposition’s campaign will further exacerbate Muslim fears. The results today sets a dangerous precedent and demands that Muslims and others must work hard and diligently against the Far Right to reject their venomous ‘Islamisation’ platform. This is no less than a battle of ideas for the future of a plural and progressive Europe.”

Dr. Edie Friedman, Executive Director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality said:
“It is a very sad day when such an important religious symbol is put to the vote. That anyone should even consider this is unbelievable. This could have very dangerous consequences, sending out the wrong message to the rest of the world. Far from cementing positive relations between people, this can only sow division and disharmony. I hope that common sense prevails, this decision is reversed and building a cohesive society in Switzerland is taken up with renewed vigour.”

Bruce Kent, Vice President of Pax Christi said:
“I am dismayed at this decision which is manifestly discriminatory. As a Christian, I live in an area where we have a beautiful mosque and minaret which cause no offence to anybody and contribute to the beauty of the environment.”

Diana Holland, Assistant General Secretary of Unite the Union said:
“When we launched ‘One Society, Many Cultures’ last week, we celebrated the achievements of diversity in our workplaces and communities. The building of a minaret in Switzerland is not a threat to democracy or security. But the fear and hostility of the far right’s attack on Muslims is. We must defend freedom & equality and ensure respect, opposing division and hate.”

For further information or interviews, please contact onesocietymanycultures@gmail.com

Editors’ notes:

1. Statement
   One society, many cultures

   “We believe that our most fundamental human rights include the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and cultural expression.

   These universal rights must be defended for all groups in society. They are increasingly threatened by legitimacy given to intolerance in the mainstream political and media arenas, by the election of representatives of the racist extreme right to public office and by demonstrations on the streets.

   It took hundreds of years of struggles, including international and civil wars, to establish the freedoms of religious and cultural expression and these must be vigorously upheld subject only to the proportionate protection of the human rights and freedoms of others.

   These freedoms are essential to the cohesion of our one society with many cultures which is Britain today. To allow these rights to be threatened or attacked for any one group in our society inevitably undermines their universality for the whole of society.

   We believe that at this time it is necessary for democrats, of all faiths and none, to come together to defend these fundamental freedoms, which are the cornerstones of liberal and democratic society.”

2. One Society Many Cultures was launched in parliament last week with speeches from:
   Ken Livingstone, Rt. Hon Sadiq Khan MP – Minister for Transport, Simon Hughes MP, Emily Thornberry MP, Susan Kramer MP, Dr Abdul Bari – Secretary General of Muslim Council of Britain, Rabbi Lee Wax – Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Bruce Kent – Vice President of Pax Christi, Dabinderjit Singh OBE – Sikh Secretariat, Anas Altikriti – British Muslim Initiative, Billy Hayes – General Secretary of Communication Workers Union, Diana Holland – Assistant General Secretary UNITE, Jenny Jones – Green Party London Assembly Member, Salma Yaqoob – Leader of The Respect Party, Pav Akhtar – Chair of Imaan, Weyman Bennet – Love Music Hate Racism, Sabby Dhalu – Unite Against Fascism.