B21SOORMA
June 8th, 2007, 11:20 AM
Sikh Awareness Society (SAS)
07 June 2007
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Pyaare Sadh Sangat Ji & Media,
Over the last two weeks, the SAS has been supporting the family and investigating the circumstances leading into the disappearance of A. Kaur (not real name), the daughter of Bhai Amrik Singh from West Midlands.
There are growing concerns within the Sikh and wider(i) community that young impressionable youth are being radicalised and groomed(ii) by extremist Muslims at British colleges and universities.
The investigation into the disappearance of A. Kaur has so far uncovered a network of participants, comprising of extremist preachers, recent converts, a protection racket and safe houses.
Strong allegations suggested that a man with previous convictions of sex-offences was also involved in this network.
There is evidence to suggest this network first targeted Miss A. Kaur two years ago when she was a minor, and we strongly believe that she was groomed during this period.
Miss A. Kaur – Character Study
Those close to A. Kaur know her as a homely, shy, religious girl. She had never lived away from home, nor was considered to be 'streetwise'. After observing a recent photo of her, we can confirm she does also appear considerably younger than her actual age.
Our concerns are that this very impressionable, perhaps naïve girl was an easy target for extremist grooming.
Miss A. Kaur had up until two weeks ago, regularly preformed Kirtan (religious hymns) at the Sikh Temple, as a fully practising Sikh.
Her alleged conversion to Islam is so far based on rumours and hearsay. We do not know the exact procedure one must undertake to convert to Islam, but we can confirm she was a practising, Amritdhari (Baptised) Sikh up to her disappearance.
She had never questioned her belief in Sikhism; in fact her favourite pastime was to participate in Gurmat (religious based) activities.
Concerns of the Sikh Community
It has to be emphasised that the main concern of the Sikh community is not about faith or religious persuasion. The very essence of Sikhism accepts all faiths and paths leading to God.
Our concern is the Radicalisation and extremist grooming of youth and the 'racially-motivated sexual-exploitation(iii)' of young impressionable girls as identified by the DfES on 17 November 2006.
To conclude, in light evidence collected and information available to us we firmly believe that there is organised network of people involved in her disappearance. . We are deeply concerned about her safety and her vulnerability to abuse in her new environment.
Media Responsibility
As a result of BBC's 'Midlands today' Television broadcast, this case received a lot of adverse publicity.
We as the Sikh community feel completely let down. The BBC contacted the SAS prior to the News release. We had made it clear that at that point the circumstances leading to the disappearance of A. Kaur have not been established, and any news article will be completely based on rumours and allegations.
Despite of this, the BBC broadcasted a sensationalised article based totally on gossip and hearsay. The BBC disregarded the sensitivity of the issue and the racial tensions it could provoke.
The spokesman used by the BBC had no expertise on the issue regarding Miss A Kaur and commented on historical conflicts of Sikhs and Muslims - which could easily ignite and fuel racial tensions
The BBC overlooked the real concerns of the Sikh community, which were for the safety of a run-away young girl and instead, created and incited a conflict of religions.
By bringing a private matter into the public domain the BBC has stigmatised and effectively victimised the whole family.
The news article was irresponsible; it disregarded the feelings of a heart-broken family and acted against racial and social cohesion.
Sikh Awareness Society,
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
i) NEW GUIDANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO HELP TACKLE VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN THE NAME OF ISLAM ON CAMPUSES: - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2006_0170
"Up to 48 British universities have been infiltrated by fundamentalists and the threat posed by radical groups must be "urgently addressed", according to Prof Anthony Glees"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...1/noxford11.xml
Up to 48 British universities have been infiltrated by fundamentalists and the threat posed by radical groups must be "urgently addressed", according to Prof Anthony Glees - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2006/...ember_2006.html
ii) Extremist Grooming - The gradual process of conversion to extremism: through the process of underming your current faith and character reform
Undermining your faith: When the rituals, concepts and philosophy of your current faith are ridiculed, undermined, misinterpreted and misquoted with the aim that you abondon your faith and convert to extremism beliefs.
Character reform: Where mind manipulation is used to convert an individual to extremism through recognized psychologically techniques such as 'mind control', 'undue influence', 'coercive persuasion', and 'thought reform'.
iii) Racially motivated sexual exploitation: The sexual-abuse of young girls on the basis of their religion/beliefs race/ethnicity or colour motivated by extremist religious views and/or racism
07 June 2007
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Pyaare Sadh Sangat Ji & Media,
Over the last two weeks, the SAS has been supporting the family and investigating the circumstances leading into the disappearance of A. Kaur (not real name), the daughter of Bhai Amrik Singh from West Midlands.
There are growing concerns within the Sikh and wider(i) community that young impressionable youth are being radicalised and groomed(ii) by extremist Muslims at British colleges and universities.
The investigation into the disappearance of A. Kaur has so far uncovered a network of participants, comprising of extremist preachers, recent converts, a protection racket and safe houses.
Strong allegations suggested that a man with previous convictions of sex-offences was also involved in this network.
There is evidence to suggest this network first targeted Miss A. Kaur two years ago when she was a minor, and we strongly believe that she was groomed during this period.
Miss A. Kaur – Character Study
Those close to A. Kaur know her as a homely, shy, religious girl. She had never lived away from home, nor was considered to be 'streetwise'. After observing a recent photo of her, we can confirm she does also appear considerably younger than her actual age.
Our concerns are that this very impressionable, perhaps naïve girl was an easy target for extremist grooming.
Miss A. Kaur had up until two weeks ago, regularly preformed Kirtan (religious hymns) at the Sikh Temple, as a fully practising Sikh.
Her alleged conversion to Islam is so far based on rumours and hearsay. We do not know the exact procedure one must undertake to convert to Islam, but we can confirm she was a practising, Amritdhari (Baptised) Sikh up to her disappearance.
She had never questioned her belief in Sikhism; in fact her favourite pastime was to participate in Gurmat (religious based) activities.
Concerns of the Sikh Community
It has to be emphasised that the main concern of the Sikh community is not about faith or religious persuasion. The very essence of Sikhism accepts all faiths and paths leading to God.
Our concern is the Radicalisation and extremist grooming of youth and the 'racially-motivated sexual-exploitation(iii)' of young impressionable girls as identified by the DfES on 17 November 2006.
To conclude, in light evidence collected and information available to us we firmly believe that there is organised network of people involved in her disappearance. . We are deeply concerned about her safety and her vulnerability to abuse in her new environment.
Media Responsibility
As a result of BBC's 'Midlands today' Television broadcast, this case received a lot of adverse publicity.
We as the Sikh community feel completely let down. The BBC contacted the SAS prior to the News release. We had made it clear that at that point the circumstances leading to the disappearance of A. Kaur have not been established, and any news article will be completely based on rumours and allegations.
Despite of this, the BBC broadcasted a sensationalised article based totally on gossip and hearsay. The BBC disregarded the sensitivity of the issue and the racial tensions it could provoke.
The spokesman used by the BBC had no expertise on the issue regarding Miss A Kaur and commented on historical conflicts of Sikhs and Muslims - which could easily ignite and fuel racial tensions
The BBC overlooked the real concerns of the Sikh community, which were for the safety of a run-away young girl and instead, created and incited a conflict of religions.
By bringing a private matter into the public domain the BBC has stigmatised and effectively victimised the whole family.
The news article was irresponsible; it disregarded the feelings of a heart-broken family and acted against racial and social cohesion.
Sikh Awareness Society,
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
i) NEW GUIDANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO HELP TACKLE VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN THE NAME OF ISLAM ON CAMPUSES: - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2006_0170
"Up to 48 British universities have been infiltrated by fundamentalists and the threat posed by radical groups must be "urgently addressed", according to Prof Anthony Glees"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...1/noxford11.xml
Up to 48 British universities have been infiltrated by fundamentalists and the threat posed by radical groups must be "urgently addressed", according to Prof Anthony Glees - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2006/...ember_2006.html
ii) Extremist Grooming - The gradual process of conversion to extremism: through the process of underming your current faith and character reform
Undermining your faith: When the rituals, concepts and philosophy of your current faith are ridiculed, undermined, misinterpreted and misquoted with the aim that you abondon your faith and convert to extremism beliefs.
Character reform: Where mind manipulation is used to convert an individual to extremism through recognized psychologically techniques such as 'mind control', 'undue influence', 'coercive persuasion', and 'thought reform'.
iii) Racially motivated sexual exploitation: The sexual-abuse of young girls on the basis of their religion/beliefs race/ethnicity or colour motivated by extremist religious views and/or racism