LONDON: British Sikhs say they are going to strongly resist a brand new definition of Islamophobia which they are saying distorts recorded historical past and prevents them from discussing the historical past of their very own religion.
The Community of Sikh Organisations (NSO), headed by Lord Singh of Wimbledon, has written to UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner saying it has “critical considerations in regards to the APPG ‘Islamophobia’ definition” which bans saying that “Muslims unfold Islam by the sword”.Sikhs revere martyred gurus and their members of the family who have been executed by Mughal emperors for refusing to transform to Islam or died preventing them.
When Labour was in Opposition, with Jeremy Corbyn as chief, the get together had adopted the APPG on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia, which states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a sort of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
“Adoption of this contested definition into regulation would have critical implications on free speech, not least the power to debate historic truths,” the NSO letter states.
“As a consultant organisation of British Sikhs we’re notably troubled that one of many working examples of ‘Islamophobia’, which accompanies the APPG definition, consists of the phrases: ‘…claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority teams beneath their rule…’ On the face of it, it is a devious try at historic revisionism. Islam did certainly unfold ‘by the sword’, and the subjugation of minority teams beneath Islamic rule continues to today,” it mentioned, citing as examples the “current ethnic cleaning of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan” and “appalling remedy and persecution of minority faiths in Bangladesh and Pakistan”.
“Seminal moments in Sikh historical past might be censored and regarded racist, just like the martyrdom of our ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, or fifth Guru, Arjan,” it mentioned.
“Pictures of Sikh martyrs are displayed in some gurdwaras throughout the UK. Many of those can be deemed ‘Islamophobic’ — equated to ‘racism’ and doubtlessly topic to legal grievance,” the letter claimed.
This definition is a part of the Labour get together code of conduct and has already been adopted by London mayor Sadiq Khan. However it’s not but regulation although it could possibly be included in a brand new race equality act. Rayner mentioned govt was actively contemplating its method to Islamophobia and any new definition would contemplate the potential implications for various communities.
A authorities spokesperson mentioned, “We’re dedicated to tackling all types of hatred and division, together with addressing the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh hatred. Any new definition of Islamophobia should be given cautious consideration, so it comprehensively covers a number of views and considers potential implications for various communities. We are going to present additional updates sooner or later.”
The Community of Sikh Organisations (NSO), headed by Lord Singh of Wimbledon, has written to UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner saying it has “critical considerations in regards to the APPG ‘Islamophobia’ definition” which bans saying that “Muslims unfold Islam by the sword”.Sikhs revere martyred gurus and their members of the family who have been executed by Mughal emperors for refusing to transform to Islam or died preventing them.
When Labour was in Opposition, with Jeremy Corbyn as chief, the get together had adopted the APPG on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia, which states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a sort of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
“Adoption of this contested definition into regulation would have critical implications on free speech, not least the power to debate historic truths,” the NSO letter states.
“As a consultant organisation of British Sikhs we’re notably troubled that one of many working examples of ‘Islamophobia’, which accompanies the APPG definition, consists of the phrases: ‘…claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority teams beneath their rule…’ On the face of it, it is a devious try at historic revisionism. Islam did certainly unfold ‘by the sword’, and the subjugation of minority teams beneath Islamic rule continues to today,” it mentioned, citing as examples the “current ethnic cleaning of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan” and “appalling remedy and persecution of minority faiths in Bangladesh and Pakistan”.
“Seminal moments in Sikh historical past might be censored and regarded racist, just like the martyrdom of our ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, or fifth Guru, Arjan,” it mentioned.
“Pictures of Sikh martyrs are displayed in some gurdwaras throughout the UK. Many of those can be deemed ‘Islamophobic’ — equated to ‘racism’ and doubtlessly topic to legal grievance,” the letter claimed.
This definition is a part of the Labour get together code of conduct and has already been adopted by London mayor Sadiq Khan. However it’s not but regulation although it could possibly be included in a brand new race equality act. Rayner mentioned govt was actively contemplating its method to Islamophobia and any new definition would contemplate the potential implications for various communities.
A authorities spokesperson mentioned, “We’re dedicated to tackling all types of hatred and division, together with addressing the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh hatred. Any new definition of Islamophobia should be given cautious consideration, so it comprehensively covers a number of views and considers potential implications for various communities. We are going to present additional updates sooner or later.”