UNITED SIKHS

Please Be Involved, Click here and Join UNITED SIKHS

To receive forthcoming bulletins join our UNITED SIKHS Yahoo group by emailing PR_UNITEDSIKHS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To donate go to www.unitedsikhs.org/donate

This Press Release may be read online at: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-02-04-2005-00.htm

Press Release: Saturday, 2nd April 2005,        20th Chayt (Samvat 537 Nanakshahi)

25 MILLION SIKHS CELEBRATE THE MEMORY OF THE POPE WHO RALLIED TO THEIR SUPPORT AS A CHAMPION OF INTERFAITH AND HUMAN RIGHTS

2nd April  2005,London : 25 million Sikhs around the world remember
the intrepid Pope John Paul II for his support for human rights when
their religious freedom was attacked last year and twenty years earlier.

`Last year Pope John Paul II threw his weight behind Sikhs to oppose
the French government's ban on religious signs, including the Sikh
Turban, at schools, saying ''the government cannot be an arbiter in
any religious matter.'', said Sameep Singh, inter-faith Director of
UNITED SIKHS, a  global human development organisation that works for
the betterment of Sikhs globally.

''In other words, Governments should respect dignity of the human
person and of his inalienable rights among which his right to adhere,
practice and propagate his religion is fundamental. No Government
should interfere with the inner core of any religion,'' the Pope had
said in a message.

The Pope's message came after the Sikh community sought his
intervention to oppose the French ban on the Sikh turban, an
expression of the Sikh identity and faith. UNITED SIKHS led a petition
campaign seeking the intervention of world leaders to persuade the
French government to abandon its plan to pass the ban-law.

Pope John Paul II said in a message, ''In recent times, we have
witnessed in some European countries an attitude that could endanger
the effective respect for religious freedom. Everyone may agree to
respect the religious sentiment of individuals but the same can not be
said of the religious factor, that is the social dimension of
religions. It is nothing other than respect for all beliefs on the
part of the State that assures the free exercise of ritual, spiritual
and cultural and charitable activities by communities of believers.''



The Pope said a healthy dialogue between the Church and the State
would encourage harmony in society.

 "The Pope's contribution to interfaith dialogue made him a veritable
saint-soldier whose influence on spiritual and temporal matters was
phenomenal," said Sameep Singh.

Twenty years earlier, when the Sikhs' holiest shrine in Amritsar,
popularly known as the Golden Temple, was attacked by the Indian armed
forces, the Pope did not mince his words in support for the human
rights of thousands of innocent worshippers who had been killed during
the attack.

"In these days, the news has followed the ever more serious events in
the state of Punjab. I do not want to go into the delicate and complex
motives behind these disturbances in a great nation. But the sad fact
is that the place where so many people met a tragic death is a temple
where men gather in prayer.

"I address an immediate sentiment of human pity for all the victims
with a call that a way to resolve the current strife can be found in a
mutual understanding..." Pope John Paul II said.

Issued by:

Contact@...

Tel: 0044 870 199 3328

Our Mission

To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.

UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.

UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.

Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.

We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.