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Inter-Faith Dialogue
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Discrimination against different faiths is more of a problem than racial discrimination, said members of a new interfaith project in West London, England.
Racial differences once formed the basis of prejudice in Britain, but project members said that religion now plays a more important role.
Speaking from one of the most religiously diverse areas of the U.K. - Ealing and Southall - the group argued that people are far more aware of religious identities.
Reflecting on the change in attitudes towards Muslims since 9/11 and the 7/7 bombings, the group discussed how the increasing reassertion of faith through symbolism and dress and the rise of Islamaphobia may also be responsible for divisions within Britain's Asian communities.
"When I was growing up we were collectively known as Asians", said the Sikh member of the interfaith group, Ravinder Kaur.
She added: "No one ever talked about faith, but that's changed now."
The comments came at the second meeting of a new project, the Muslim and Sikh Media Monitoring and Response Group.
The group is the first of its kind in Britain, created to bring together individuals from Ealing and Southall's Muslim and Sikh communities.
Members will now meet every eight weeks to identify points of tension between the two faiths and to build bridges between them in West London. Discussing changes in interfaith relations local Muslim project member, Shah Shahin added: "Since 9/11 and 7/7, the race issue has become a faith issue."
Members of the group also went on to argue that tensions between the religions have been worsened by right-wing political parties. This month, members of the nationalist group, the English Defence League (EDL), branded the project as ‘propaganda'. The project's members were united in condemnation however, accusing the EDL of trying to make inroads into the Sikh community in order to exploit divisions and promote Islamaphobia.
The project's organiser and Director of Faith Matters, Fiyaz Mughal, said: "This project shows that Muslims and Sikhs can work together within the community, despite the negative messages being spread by nationalist groups.
"It is vital to local communities that divisions on the grounds of faith do not widen, interfaith groups such as these are stopping that happen."
[Courtesy: Asian Image]
October 8, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: N. Singh (Canada), October 08, 2010, 11:38 AM.
We have all seen what Islam can do all over the world, if given the power! Thousands of lives have been lost because of its intolerance and its emphasis on conversion. I find it frustrating that both the major religions (Islam and Hinduism) have, and still do, turn to the Sikhs for support in facing whatever challenges are being thrust upon them. However, the moment they have the slightest power, all such support, friendship and sacrifice are forgotten (1947 and 1984). Do we really need to get caught up in their mess? The same mistakes are being made over and over again. Why not distance ourselves for once and focus on re-building our own crumbling foundations and divided community? I just want to raise a different viewpoint, another way of thinking, perhaps. These people are not our friends, we do not need them to build our reputation or standing in the UK ... the sacrifices of the World War Sikh heroes have already done that. We just need to educate the general British public to the fact that we are not Muslims but Sikhs. We are different ...
2: Kanwar (Toronto, Ontario, Canada.), October 08, 2010, 2:43 PM.
Aiding another faith group when it is isolated and up against the wall is what Sikhi is all about. There may be little reward for it in the political and territorial sphere but the concept is the glue that holds us together. After all, it is this unique gift which Sikhs offer the rest of humanity, just as our Gurus intended. It's what sets us apart from all the opportunists throughout history and will ensure that Sikhi will not merely survive but will stay relevant. I applaud this effort whole-heartedly.
3: Raj (Canada), October 08, 2010, 11:28 PM.
N.Singh, you're so right.
4: Jasdeep Singh (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), October 09, 2010, 10:19 AM.
We who are losing a whole generation to drugs, alcohol ... our gurdwaras are now no more than private businesses; religious ceremonies can be ordered by phone, like in a Christian church or Hindu temple ... Yeah, we're in a real position to be leading and bridging gaps! Leading by example and all that ...?
5: Plate (U.S.A.), October 09, 2010, 10:58 AM.
Well said, N. Singh. It is so true: the Sikh community does not have friends in these people. We need to look within ourselves - we have all the strength we need to survive and thrive.
6: plate (USA), October 09, 2010, 10:12 PM.
Dear Editor:please correct my last comment for this article (Inter-Faith Dialogue). I meant to say: "The Sikh community does NOT have have friends in these people." Thanks
7: R. Singh (Canada), October 09, 2010, 10:20 PM.
I would agree with Kanwar. Generating goodwill and having good relations with right thinking people in any community is a good idea. We cannot do anything in isolation in today's shrunken world. We cannot be insular even if we wanted to be. Relationships in one part of the world will affect our community in another part. We have no political boundaries that we can lock ourselves in, we have no choice but to venture out of our cocoons and reach out wherever we can, for the well-being of our future generations, and of humanity.