New UK immigration law may affect Sikh NRIs

kaur-1 · #1 (**permalink**) 24-Dec-2006, 00:34 AM

LONDON: British government's plans to bring a new immigration law to prevent religious leaders with little knowledge of English or the west to come and teach in Britain may adversely affect the Sikh community here.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/14761-new-uk-immigration-law-may-affect.html

The law, supposedly aimed at stopping extremist Islamic leaders from coming to Britain as Imams would also affect the 500,000 strong community as they rely on visitors from Punjab in India to instruct young British Sikhs in the absence of a theological college for their religion, The Times reported.

"Sikhism is a universal world faith with a message for all men. We teach self-respect and to respect each other. We do not have extremists," Swarn Singh Kandola, the general secretary and community leader of a large Gurdwara in Ilford said.

Already, Sikhs are wrestling with how they should pass on their values and scriptures to a young British-born generation. Most live in big towns and cities and have grown up in a British environment, going to British schools and speaking English.

Many even find it hard to read Sikh scriptures or understand the teachings of the ten Gurus, the report said.

The report also said, that Sikhs have already been victims of attacks and abuse as there is not much difference between Sikh and Islamic turbans.

Source:New UK immigration law may affect Sikh NRIs-Rest of World-World-NEWS-The Times of India
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14761

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Lionchild · #2 (**permalink**) 24-Dec-2006, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaur-1

LONDON: British government's plans to bring a new immigration law to prevent religious leaders with little knowledge of English or the west to come and teach in Britain may adversely affect the Sikh community here.

The law, supposedly aimed at stopping extremist Islamic leaders from coming to Britain as Imams would also affect the 500,000 strong community as they rely on visitors from Punjab in India to instruct young British Sikhs in the absence of a theological college for their religion, The Times reported.

"Sikhism is a universal world faith with a message for all men. We teach self-respect and to respect each other. We do not have extremists," Swarn Singh Kandola, the general secretary and community leader of a large Gurdwara in Ilford said.

Already, Sikhs are wrestling with how they should pass on their values and scriptures to a young British-born generation. Most live in big towns and cities and have grown up in a British environment, going to British schools and speaking English.

I actually think this is a good idea, i hope it is passed in Canada too, this may sound strange, but we need more Sikhs who enter other countries to speak at least some fluent English or whatever is the most spoken language in the country.

Why? well first off, it will benefit those in the sikhi community who do not speak Punjabi, or wish not too, and it will also help with communication between the public and the sikhi community.

If not pass the law, then all people entering the country should learn English soon. I heard in Canada that this is going to happen, i hope it does soon.

Despite the fact that the law is aimed at some other group, it does have it's benefits.