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SGPC tells Canadian PM to help resolve Sikh identity issues globally | The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the premeir body of the Sikhs, has sought the help of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to resolve the issue of Sikh identity being faced by the community in various countries. Harper on Wednesday visited the Golden Temple , the holy
place of the Sikhs, while on a three-day visit to India . Covering his head with
white scarf Harper entered in to the Golden Temple amid tight security. Before
entering the Golden Temple , Harper, sources said, applied antiseptic cream upon
his feet and hands. It is normal for VVIPs from foreign when they have to remove
shoes in the holy temple here. He also checked his appearance twice in the mirror
Sikh’s Pagri or, the traditional headgear was tied around his head. Earlier, Punjab
Deputy chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Avtar Singh Makkar, President of SGPC,
other political and religious leaders, accorded him a warm welcome. While welcoming
Harper on his visit to the Golden Temple , Makkar requested Harper to influence
the French government in resolving turban issue as well as the Sikh identity issue
emerging in various countries. It is pertinent to mention that after 9/11 Sikhs
became the victim of mistaken identity. The SGPC honoured the Canadian PM with
an honorary robe and a set of religious books. Sukhbir Badal honoured the Canadian
PM with a “Shawl”, a sword and a replica of the Golden Temple . Harper also visited
the “Langar Hall” (the community kitchen). Harper avoided interaction with the
local media. In the visitors’ book the Canadian PM wrote, “Thank you very much
for the great honour of taking me through this beautiful and sacred place, an
experience I will never forget.” Meanwhile, in a letter to Harper, SGPC President
Makkar said due to their distinct religious and cultural identity, Sikhs were
facing an identity crisis worldwide, as the world community is yet to get fully
familiar with the Sikh identity. He said that such lack of awareness was the basic
reason for the French government imposing a turban ban on Sikh students. Makkar
has also urged the Canadian PM to take up Sikh issues, including the matter of
the Sikh turban at the UNO and other world forums. He thanked the Canadian government
for granting honourable status to the Punjabi language in Canada and mentioned
it was a generous act for which the Sikhs owe a lot to the large heartiness of
Canadian people. |
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