Pak dismisses India's concerns on Sikhs' treatment by Taliban
PTI
Islamabad, May 2, 2009
Pakistan on Saturday dismissed the unhappiness expressed by India about the Taliban imposing tax on Sikhs and demolishing their homes in the restive tribal belt, saying the issue was of "no concern" to New Delhi.
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had responded to India's "verbal demarche" on the issue by making it clear that the Sikhs in this country are Pakistani citizens and are of "no concern of India." "Pakistan is fully cognisant of the issue of the Sikhs and of the welfare of all its citizens, especially the minorities," Basit told PTI.
Diplomatic sources said the issue of Sikhs being forced out of their homes in Pakistan's Aurakzai tribal agency after they failed to pay 'jiziya' or tax imposed on non-Muslims was taken up yesterday with the Foreign Office by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
It was also taken up with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi by the External Affairs Ministry.
The Indian side was told by the Pakistanis that it "need not worry about the Sikhs" and that the move was "tantamount to interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs," the sources said.
with thanks : source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=&id=39964&option=com_content&task=view§ionid=4
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Please contribute News & Pics related to Sikhs from your area.
Please contribute News & Pics related to SIKHS from your area for uploading on our sikh blog www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com as well our sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com If you could add our links on your websites or could promote us in your areas, we will be thankful to you.
Best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
http://www.sohnijodi.com/advsohnijodi.htm
Sikh families shifted safely to Hassan Abdal from Buner, tribal areas
Sikh families shifted safely to Hassan Abdal from Buner, tribal areas
HASSANABDAL/ISLAMABAD: Over 400 Sikhs have been shifted safely to Hassan Abdal Gurdawara following their forced eviction from Buner by Taliban and security forces operation therein while the local administration has taken stringent security measures for their safety.
They were reported to have been expelled from tribal areas for the refusal on their part to pay jizia and their houses were set ablaze. Ongoing operation against Taliban by the security forces had also caused massive shifting of the Sikhs from Buner and other tribal areas.
Property Trust Evacuee Board (PTEB) made extensive relief arrangements for the affected Sikhs. Chairman PTEB, Syed Asif Hashmi expressed solidarity with the affected Sikh families and held out assurance of full cooperation saying full protection was being provided to all the minorities in Pakistan and they were living here with full freedom.
People of Pakistan and Sikh community were tied into bonds of historical relationship which would not be allowed to grow fragile in any way, he announced. Every possible assistance would be extended to Sikh community in future like the past in the country, he assured.
with thanks : source : http://www.onlinenews.com.pk
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
HASSANABDAL/ISLAMABAD: Over 400 Sikhs have been shifted safely to Hassan Abdal Gurdawara following their forced eviction from Buner by Taliban and security forces operation therein while the local administration has taken stringent security measures for their safety.
They were reported to have been expelled from tribal areas for the refusal on their part to pay jizia and their houses were set ablaze. Ongoing operation against Taliban by the security forces had also caused massive shifting of the Sikhs from Buner and other tribal areas.
Property Trust Evacuee Board (PTEB) made extensive relief arrangements for the affected Sikhs. Chairman PTEB, Syed Asif Hashmi expressed solidarity with the affected Sikh families and held out assurance of full cooperation saying full protection was being provided to all the minorities in Pakistan and they were living here with full freedom.
People of Pakistan and Sikh community were tied into bonds of historical relationship which would not be allowed to grow fragile in any way, he announced. Every possible assistance would be extended to Sikh community in future like the past in the country, he assured.
with thanks : source : http://www.onlinenews.com.pk
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
New York Senator Addresses Thousands at Annual Sikh Day Parade and Expresses Support for "One of America's Hardest Working Communities"
New York, New York, USA: Senator Charles E. Schumer (NY) spoke before thousands of Sikhs at the 22nd Annual Sikh Day Parade in New York City this past Saturday, marking the first time a United States Senator has attended the parade. Responding to UNITED SIKHS invitation to the Parade, the Senator expressed overwhelming support for the current struggle of the Sikh community to practice the Sikh faith freely while serving in the U.S. Military and in police forces. Starting his speech with the Sikh greeting "Sat Sri Akal," Senator Schumer congratulated the Sikh community on this 310th Vaisaikhi, and commended the Sikhs for being "one of America's hardest working communities". UNITED SIKHS continues to work with Senator Schumer and other members of Congress in advocating for civil rights issues including employment discrimination, international religious freedom (Right to Turban campaign), the right to serve in armed forces, hate/bias crimes, and immigration reform.
UNITED SIKHS is delighted that Senator Schumer congratulated the Sikh community for their commitment to the American dream while preserving the Sikh religious identity. Commenting on Senator Schumer's attendance, Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney for UNITED SIKHS stated, "We appreciate the Senator's outreach to the Sikh community and his recognition of the Sikh community as a contributing part of America. The Senator's support on Sikh civil rights issues is invaluable in our struggle for equality and justice."
Tehal Singh, President of the Sikh Cultural Society of New York, stated, "Senator Schumer is one of the most progressive representatives in the country, and we are thankful of his support for the Sikh community."
Commenting on the Sikh Day Parade, Dr. Ranjit Singh, General Secretary of Sikh Youth of America stated, "The whole Parade had a Khalsa fervor; it was the first time a US Senator attended the Parade, and we are very pleased that Senator Schumer expressed support for Sikhs in armed services."
Himmat Singh, President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Sahib, commented, "on a day where thousands of Sikhs came to celebrate Vaisakhi and the Sikh religious identity, it was pleasure to see Senator Schumer speak so highly of the Sikh community and our identity."
Again, UNITED SIKHS would to like to remind the Sikh Community that it is through overcoming our differences and working together that we will be able to overcome challenges to religious identity and our honorable way of life as prescribed by Guru Sahib.
We thank all organizations participating in the Sikh Day Parade, where Sikhs gather to celebrate the Sikh holiday, Vaisakhi. We also would like to thank dedicated UNITED SIKHS volunteers Jaswinder Singh, Joga Singh, and Rajbir Kaur for setting up an informational booth and distributing materials about our projects, and asking community members to report their problems.
UNITED SIKHS dedication to grassroots and global justice has been powered by volunteers, supporters, and the Sikh community, who are reaching out, speaking up, and standing in solidarity wherever there is a need. We humbly request you to volunteer time or donate funds to help UNITED SIKHS continue its work in disaster relief, empowerment, and international civil and human rights advocacy. You can make a tax deductible donation by visiting: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/donate/.
You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS' advocacy efforts at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-13-04-2009-00.htm.
Issued By:
Amneet Singh
Advocacy, Media and Operations Coordinator
UNITED SIKHS
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
UNITED SIKHS is delighted that Senator Schumer congratulated the Sikh community for their commitment to the American dream while preserving the Sikh religious identity. Commenting on Senator Schumer's attendance, Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney for UNITED SIKHS stated, "We appreciate the Senator's outreach to the Sikh community and his recognition of the Sikh community as a contributing part of America. The Senator's support on Sikh civil rights issues is invaluable in our struggle for equality and justice."
Tehal Singh, President of the Sikh Cultural Society of New York, stated, "Senator Schumer is one of the most progressive representatives in the country, and we are thankful of his support for the Sikh community."
Commenting on the Sikh Day Parade, Dr. Ranjit Singh, General Secretary of Sikh Youth of America stated, "The whole Parade had a Khalsa fervor; it was the first time a US Senator attended the Parade, and we are very pleased that Senator Schumer expressed support for Sikhs in armed services."
Himmat Singh, President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Sahib, commented, "on a day where thousands of Sikhs came to celebrate Vaisakhi and the Sikh religious identity, it was pleasure to see Senator Schumer speak so highly of the Sikh community and our identity."
Again, UNITED SIKHS would to like to remind the Sikh Community that it is through overcoming our differences and working together that we will be able to overcome challenges to religious identity and our honorable way of life as prescribed by Guru Sahib.
We thank all organizations participating in the Sikh Day Parade, where Sikhs gather to celebrate the Sikh holiday, Vaisakhi. We also would like to thank dedicated UNITED SIKHS volunteers Jaswinder Singh, Joga Singh, and Rajbir Kaur for setting up an informational booth and distributing materials about our projects, and asking community members to report their problems.
UNITED SIKHS dedication to grassroots and global justice has been powered by volunteers, supporters, and the Sikh community, who are reaching out, speaking up, and standing in solidarity wherever there is a need. We humbly request you to volunteer time or donate funds to help UNITED SIKHS continue its work in disaster relief, empowerment, and international civil and human rights advocacy. You can make a tax deductible donation by visiting: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/donate/.
You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS' advocacy efforts at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-13-04-2009-00.htm.
Issued By:
Amneet Singh
Advocacy, Media and Operations Coordinator
UNITED SIKHS
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Aasra the Punjabi magazine from Kent, USA
AASRA - a Punjabi magazine is being Published by Sd. Sarb Singh ji from Kent USA. He can be contacted through his website www.sikhism.com. Aasra Magazine is the first nationwide American Sikh magazine distributed free in print and on the Web, and available by subscription as well. Public education through a strong Sikh media can overcome much bigotry and intolerance. It is for this purpose of connecting Sikh and non-Sikh communities that editions of Aasra Magazine have been published every two months since January, 2006.The magazine covers the celebrations of Sikhs in USA as well many other religious topics. The Editor can be contacted at :"Aasra Magazine" <aasra@q.com>
Best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
Best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
The World's First Sikh Supermodel?
The difference a year makes. One year ago, Hoboken-area Sikh entrepreneur Hansdip Bindra made the news as a victim of a bias crime when a fellow bar-goer demanded he remove his turban, and, when he wouldn't, knocked it off for him. Fast forward one year and another Sikh entrepreneur-turned-media darling, Sonny Caberwal, is being hailed for his ability to flaunt yellow, pink and green turbans with panache in campaigns for Kenneth Cole and GQ.
News outlets such as the UK Telegraph are anointing him as "the world's only Sikh professional model." Is he?
I doubt it. The Sikh community is a strong (and apparently fashionable) one, and Sikh models abound within the community if you know where to look.
But if you don't, or prefer not to see them, such as the people behind major fashion runways who specialize in one-color-fits-all fashion shows, then Sonny Caberwal (now signed to modeling agency BOSS) can seem like a wonder.
Let's hope he's not a one-hit wonder.
with thanks : source : http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/2009/04/did-gq-unveil-the-worlds-first.html
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Taliban action against Sikhs not surprising: US
Taliban action against Sikhs not surprising: US
Washington, May 1 (PTI) Terming the Taliban as "ruthless killers," the US today said the action initiated by them against the minority Sikh community in Pakistan's tribal region was not surprising provides all the more reason to rid the region of extremists.
"I've heard reports about that. It doesn't surprise me. I mean, these are ruthless killers, the Taliban," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters at his daily press briefing when asked about Taliban's demand for "Jizya" from Sikhs in Pakistan's tribal regions forcing them to leave their homes.
"They (the Taliban) will do anything they can to upset Pakistan's and Afghanistan's fragile democracies," he said.
Taking note of the reports, New Delhi today summoned a diplomat of Pakistan High Commission to register its concern over the development.
"As I said, I've heard these reports. They're not surprising. This is why it's important that we, the international community, cooperate in trying to rid this region of these extremists. And the sooner we can accomplish that mission, the better," Wood told reporters. PTI
with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/444513B2635A3F8F652575A90063182F?OpenDocument
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Washington, May 1 (PTI) Terming the Taliban as "ruthless killers," the US today said the action initiated by them against the minority Sikh community in Pakistan's tribal region was not surprising provides all the more reason to rid the region of extremists.
"I've heard reports about that. It doesn't surprise me. I mean, these are ruthless killers, the Taliban," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters at his daily press briefing when asked about Taliban's demand for "Jizya" from Sikhs in Pakistan's tribal regions forcing them to leave their homes.
"They (the Taliban) will do anything they can to upset Pakistan's and Afghanistan's fragile democracies," he said.
Taking note of the reports, New Delhi today summoned a diplomat of Pakistan High Commission to register its concern over the development.
"As I said, I've heard these reports. They're not surprising. This is why it's important that we, the international community, cooperate in trying to rid this region of these extremists. And the sooner we can accomplish that mission, the better," Wood told reporters. PTI
with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/444513B2635A3F8F652575A90063182F?OpenDocument
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
