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Opinion Makers Discuss
Challenges and Progress of Global Sikh Community
WSN Network
 Toronto: Meeting
for three days from December 18-20th, Sikhs from all over the world
gathered in Toronto at the 2nd Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference:
Preserving Our Past and Investing in Our Future, to discuss three
topics of current concern: Sikh Civil and Human Rights, Women's
Rights, and Sikh Leadership. Speakers and participants had lively
debates resulting in a plethora of suggestions for guiding advocates
and leaders on the way forward.
Commenting on
the conference, Almas Jiwani, President, CCUNIFEM stated, “In the
climate of our times, it is important that issues pertaining to
religious freedom and civil rights do not go ignored. Although, I,
myself am not a Sikh, my plight as a Muslim is similar as well and
we must unify and make sure the small differences amongst us are not
overshadowed by that fact that we are all human beings. Being the
President of the Canadian Committee for the United Nations Fund for
Women, it touched my heart that so many woman in the conference
identified with the various issues and the forms of discrimination
discussed, most importantly they wanted to get involved and
eradicate this discrimination. The Sikh religion gives the avenue
for this change to occur, as equality is a pillar of the religion,
and I hope that these women rise up and bring change in their
communities.”
Day 1 -
Women's Rights:
Focusing on the
rich history of Sikh women in leadership and on the Sikh teachings
of gender equality, speakers highlighted concerns around current
roles of Sikh women, how marginalized Sikh women interact with
Canadian law, and female infanticide in Panjab. Attendees were also
treated to a self-defense workshop by Sarabjeet Singh of Yudh Gatka
Akhara, specializing in Sikh martial arts.
Speakers
included: Dr. Harshinder Kaur, the recipient of the UN Laadli Media
Award and author of “Female Feticide, a Curse;” Parminder Kaur, a
settlement worker who often works with women suffering domestic
abuse, Amrinder Kaur, a Sikh activist and teacher in Ontario,
awarded for her leadership of an environmental project in Ludhiana,
and Manprit Kaur, a graduate student at York University in
Socio-Legal Studies.
Day 2 - Sikh
Civil and Human Rights:
In a day packed
with esteemed speakers, participants were able to learn and engage
experts in the field of civil and human rights with questions
ranging from the lack of justice for atrocities committed against
Sikhs in India in 1984 and recent events in Ludhiana, to engaging
the Sikh community on issues of global concern and changing
perceptions of the Sikh identity in the post 9/11 world.
Highlighting in the importance of civil and human rights engagement
by the Sikh community, Bob Rae, ex-Premier of Ontario and MP for
Toronto Centre stated in his speech that equal protection for all
Canadians is paramount, but that Sikhs must continue to advocate for
their rights and the rights of others, for a just and inclusive
society.
Speakers
included: Bob Rae, the 21st Premier of Ontario; Barbara Hall, Chief
Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission; Ondray Harris,
Director of the United States Department of Justice Community
Relations Service; Almas Jiwani, President of the Canadian Committee
for UNIFEM; Shanaaz Gokool, Chair of Amnesty International Toronto;
Jagmohan Singh, Executive Director of Voices for Freedom; Manjit
Singh, Director Chaplaincy Service, McGill University; Dabinderjit
Singh, Sikh Federation UK; and Balpreet Singh, Attorney, World Sikh
Organization.
Following the
Sikh Civil and Human Rights Day, attendees were treated to a special
concert held as a benefit for UNITED SIKHS international
humanitarian relief and advocacy, where world-renowned musician
Rabbi Shergill, aspiring Sikh hip-hop group GNE, and other Sikh
poets and musicians performed.
Day 3 – Sikh
Leadership – Past, Present, and Future:
Focusing on
dynamic leaders of the past and the current challenges faced by the
Sikh community, politicians and community leaders shared their views
on great Sikh leaders of the past and what is required for the
present and future leadership in the Sikh community. Certain
speakers were very well received when they spoke to bringing more
women and youth into leadership positions, and Bikramjit Singh,
newly-elected President of the largest Gurdwara in greater Vancouver
was able to express key points in changing Gurdwara leadership and
returning to core Sikh values. Attendees were also moved by the
famed shoe-throwing journalist Jarnail Singh, who spoke at length of
the issues faced by Sikhs in India and on the continuing lack of
justice for the atrocities committed against Sikhs in India in 1984.
Speakers
included: Member of Parliament Gurbax Singh Mahli; Member of
Parliament ; Harpreet Singh, US Department of Justice Community
Relations Service Director for Region III; Kuldip Singh Dhillon,
Co-Founder Maharajahs the Legacy & Spirit Born Foundation;
Sukhminder Singh Virk, Member, Sikh Youth Guru Nanak Sikh Temple,
Surrey, B.C.; and Dr. Inderpal Kaur, Former Professor, Guru Nanak
Dev University, Amritsar, India.
27January 2010
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