Girl Sent Home For Wearing Cross

[S1ngh]

Sat Sri Akal:

Can any of the British Sikh orgs. take up the fight for this girl?  Kill two problems with one stone?

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Any progress on the upper advise?

anyway.. What kind of newspaper is this? cauz by the pictures it seems like the reporter/editors are only interested in "Creating the scene".

[GuruManeyoGranth]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

The Daily Express is a cheap sensationalist, tabloid type paper!!! I believe its US equivalent would be something like The National Enquirer.

Waheguroo

[London Sikh Socs]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Official Press Release

Yesterday following the article, BOSS Representative/ London Co-ordinators, sent out a letter on behalf of London and Home Counties Sikh Societies to the Daily Express. We have attached the letter for circulation.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

On Behalf of:

London and Home Counties Sikh Societies

www.sikhsoc.blogspot.com

Kirpan___BOSS__London_Press_Release.pdf

[khalistan_zindabaad]

gurfateh,

new just in, a school in west bromwich has told a amritdhari sikh student to go home because he is wearing a kirpan., update will come shortly as more information is released

[AK-47]

Sikh soc, very good letter, however please, please, please check and re-check documents when you send them out!

If we make errors in our grammer, spelling etc it makes us look unprofessional and people not to be taken seriously!

If you havent already sent it out please change paragrtaph 9 where you mention the picture of the kirpan .. you have said 'seems to be 2 or 3 INCHES', im pretty sure you meant to write that 'seems to be 2 or 3 FEET'.

Minor point but try and read it from the newspapers perspective, they will want to ignore such complaints where possible and we need to get our facts right otherwise they will ask why are we complaining over a picture of a '2 inch kirpan'.

Other than that, well done!

Is it worth a sikh rep contacting one of the other papers to give an interview on what the sikhs feel with regard to this situation. Perhaps something like the guardian or times would be best? Just to give the sikh perspective on religion in education and the wearing of religious articles of faith. Be very careful though as the press is the press no matter which paper! so any slip ups will be headline news!

Manvir Singh perhaps if u can ring some of the midlands sikh socs and also get a contact for one of the northerners (Daljinder Singh from Leeds is probably your best bet) and try and arrange an interview or response? I'll try and get somebody to ring you guys and sort something out.

Well done with the above effort again! :TH:

[crayzy]

they said the kirpan in the newspaper was 3 inches instead of feet....

[tarunjeet singh]

main news on yahoo homepage and on sky news

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/07122005/140/teen...g-crucifix.html

[tarunjeet singh]

discussion on mani yahoo homepage are we to politiclay correct ???

http://uk.messages.news.yahoo.com/Domestic...tof=1&m=tm&rt=2

[rKr]

A response. Feel free to edit and re-send as you wish. People power would be a good tool right now. As well as Sikhs Orgs, it is OUR own duty as Sikhs to continue this...

Editor,

I write with regards to your article which appeared on the front page of the Express yesterday, 06-12-05.

Whilst I have great sympathy with Miss Sam Morris and her case to wear her symbol of faith, I feel your reporter and indeed your newspaper has greatly misrepresented the Sikh faith.

First of all, Sikhs as all religions in the UK are forthright in their expression of faith, and believe that such expressions should not be subjected to political correctness and instead would benefit from being promoted.

However, as per your article, a spokesman for the Church of England confirmed, “As far as Christianity is concerned, there is certainly no necessity to wear symbols” – at the same time, Sikhs the world over, will confirm that a baptised Sikh is required by faith to be adorned with 5 symbols of faith, the long uncut hair, tied within a turban which gives Sikhs their distinct identity, the wooden comb, iron bracelet, knee length shorts and also the Kirpaan – ceremonial sword.

May I firstly remind you, that far from being a dagger, and one of the size as the picture in your article, a Kirpaan is actually a ceremonial sword. This sword which in schools does not exceed of standard set by the Department of Education, is a representation of the contribution Sikhs have made to mankind. One of these five compulsory articles of faith, the Kirpaan symbolises the Sikh spirit of Truth, Freedom, Justice, Honor and Protection. This is one of the many reasons as to why any criminal issues involving the kirpaan have been at a complete minimum.

I feel the racial tensions which your article feared would arise as a result of the sending home of Miss Morris could indeed arise due to the lack of knowledge which came across in your article.

Your sensationalised depiction of the Kirpaan shows journalism at its worst is pushing one’s freedom of faith by knocking another. I feel in today’s society articles of this manner contribute to any continuing tensions which exist and also harm the current climate of peace and love within this society.

Sikhs are a peace loving people who have greatly contributed to the freedom of this country – this includes the contribution of lives, an estimated 85,000 who perished in fighting for Britain in the world wars.

As well as taking the feelings of Miss Morris into consideration, I feel a newspaper of your calibre has been highly irresponsible, particularly with its lack of consideration not only for the Sikhs of the Derby School, but all those currently in schools across the country. With the bullying epidemic at its worst, I feel that Sikh students of all ages may now be the target of racial hatred due to an uneducated, deceiving article – which in my eyes portrays law abiding Sikh students in the same light as anti-social knife carrying bullies. This is clearly not the case.

Sikhs to this day form an integral part of the great multicultural British Community. I personally am proud to call myself both Sikh and British, I am proud of the fact this country allows me to practice my faith so freely. It is due to the tolerance, acceptance, and respect for all religions that we are able to live in the peace loving society. I feel articles like yours may do more harm than good to such relations that have been so widely applauded throughout the world.

I offer my greatest respect to Miss Sam Morris, who I feel a model for our society today, a society in which both she and I should be allowed to follow our faith with love, honesty and freedom.

Sincerely,

Miss Kaur.

[Ranz_Killa]

gurfateh,

new just  in, a school in west bromwich has told a amritdhari sikh student to go home because he is wearing a kirpan., update will come shortly as more information is released

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Waheguru