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World Sikh Council
Statement on Shameful Altercation at Makhan Shah
Lubana Sikh Center
 May
13, 2011: The World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR),
representing 47 member Gurdwaras and Sikh organizations, strongly denounces the
violence that erupted at Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in Queens, New York on
April 24, 2011.
Regardless of the provocation, such disgraceful behavior violates not only the
norms of civil society in general, but is deeply offensive to Sikh sentiment and
ideals of thoughtful dialogue.
Such actions by individuals are all the more reprehensible when recognizable
Sikhs engage in a brawl in the presence of Siri Guru Granth Sahib and cannot be
tolerated under any circumstance.
The vandalism on display insults not only the memory of the well known Sikh
historical personality after whom the Sikh Center is named, but also smears the
reputation of the entire Sikh community which is unacceptable to Sikhs
everywhere.
For Sikhs, this is a matter of grave concern, made especially so because we are
a small and an easily identifiable community and often invite mistaken
perceptions, and in some instances, unwelcome attention in the form of hate
crimes.
This incident only serves to feed the stereotype that we should otherwise be
working together to dispel. As Sikhs, we carry a special responsibility for
impeccable private and public behavior.
On behalf of the Gurdwaras and Sikh organizations that WSC-AR represents, we
strongly appeal to all individuals involved in the incident to reflect on their
behavior and resolve the management issues amicably through peaceful and
thoughtful dialogue, and to absolutely desist from this kind of behavior in the
future. The Sikh community is watching and will not tolerate such actions.
At the same time, the Sikh community and relevant Sikh organizations must come
together urgently to establish a Gurmat-based framework for conflict resolution.
WSC-AR is open to ideas and input on this important community matter.
by
Dr. Manohar Singh
Chairperson, World Sikh Council – America Region
World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR)
P.O. Box 3635, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
Phone: 888-340-1702
Fax: 888-398-1875
E-mail:
contact@worldsikhcouncil.org
Web: www.worldsikhcouncil.org
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Member Gurdwaras of WSC-AR:
1. Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society, Stockton, CA
2. Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA
3. Guru Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA
4. Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North Hollywood, CA
5. Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA
6. Gurdwara Guru Angad Darbar, Bakersfield, CA
7. Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver, CO
8. Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta, GA
9. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
10. Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL
11. Sikh Society of South, New Orleans, LA
12. New England Sikh Study Circle, Boston, MA
13. Singh Sabha of Michigan, Canton, MI
14. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills, MI
15. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI
16. Guru Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS
17. Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
18. Sikh Sabha of Upper Valley, Hanover, NH
19. Garden State Sikh Association, Bridgewater, NJ
20. Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Delaware Valley, Sewell, NJ
21. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
22. Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, Lawrenceville, NJ
23. Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh, Las Vegas, NV
24. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills, NY
25. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo, NY
26. Sikh Foundation of Syracuse, Liverpool, NY
27. Sikh Religious Society of Dayton, Dayton, OH
28. Guru Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH
29. Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH
30. Guru Nanak Religious Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH
31. Sikh Sadh Sangat, Easton, PA
32. Philadelphia Sikh Society, Millbourne, PA
33. Tristate Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA
34. Mid South Sikh Sabha, Memphis, TN
35. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX
36. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX
37. Sikh Gurdwara of North Texas, Garland, TX
38. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax, VA
39. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, VA
40. Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI
Other Sikh Institution Members of WSC-AR:
1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim, CA
2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS
3. Sikh Youth Federation of North America, White Plains, NY
4. Sikh Heritage Foundation, Long Island, NY
5. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin, OH
6. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH
7. Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX |
