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Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh I am writing to request your assistance regarding Sikh civil rights in the UK. I used to work for an employer in the England who passed bigoted and racially insensitive remarks to me as a Sikh. The kirpan was referred to as a weapon and I was introduced to people at work as being armed and being allowed to kill. This is an affront to the hard won civil rights of Sikhs in the UK. They refused to accept polite explanatins of the significance of 5Ks and stand by their statement. My life was also made miserable by various tactics. I need to know which Sikh organisation in the UK will take up this issue and ask them to retract their statement and apologise to the Sikh community. I will be able to share specific details only if someone will speak out on my behalf, otherwise I fear the consequences as this person still holds the ability to make my life miserable. Please respond. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Commission on Civil Rights, by majority vote, has asked the U. S. Department of Defense for a response to the Commission's concerns about the military's possible violation of civil rights of adherents to religious obligations of Sikhs and other religions. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110524/DC08224LOGO) Testimony entered into the record during a Commission briefing show that military regulations generally prohibit the wearing of religious headgear and maintaining other religious requirements such as unshorn hair and beards. The Commission's letteracknowledges the legitimate concerns of the military relating to service member safety and military necessity, but expresses concern over the apparent deterrent effect of such regulations on participation by affected religious group members in our armed forces. The Commission's letter also points to the burdensome procedures imposed on military members who wish to obtain an exemption from such regulations, which have in the past included submitting a petition signed by many thousands of people and securing the support of dozens of members of Congress. Commission Chairman Martin R. Castro stated, "The privilege of serving one's country should not be denied a person for adhering to his or her religious beliefs. We look forward to a constructive dialogue with the Secretary of Defense to ensure that Sikh Americans, and others, may serve without sacrificing their faith." The Commission's letter asks the Department of Defense to provide the Commission with views on these regulations and the possible exclusion of Sikh and other Americans from service in the armed forces of this country based on their religious beliefs. Contact: Lenore Ostrowsky Acting Chief Public Affairs Unit (202) 376-8591 SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-commission-on-civil-rights-releases-letter-to-department-of-defense-on-religious-rights-of-sikhs-in-the-military-235084931.html?