NSO reply to Government Commission on Integration

Author:  Dr indarjit Singh

NETWORK OF SIKH ORGANISATION’S RESPONSE
TO QUESTIONS TO NATIONAL BODIES FROM
COMMISSION ON INTEGRATION & COHESION

Q1. Cohesion, in this context, means a commitment for different strands of society to work together to further common values.

A community that is integrated with main stream society will be fully involved with all aspects of social, political and cultural development. A cohesive community will be united in its sense of purpose.

Q2. Tensions between different groups arise from:
(a) Ignorance leading to prejudice and active hatred.

(b)Arrogance stemming from religious or cultural belief that ‘ours is the only true way,’ or ours is the final revelation, or that particular social or cultural practices are superior to others.
All community and religious leaders should exercise due humility, and stress to their different constituencies that there is good in other ways and beliefs, and that what we do for others is more important than nominal religious affiliation.

Q3. (a) The question of how to make people feel they belong is fully addressed in the familiar story of the North Wind and the Sun. Welcome rather than prejudice helps a community to feel valued..

(b)The writer of this note was an author of a paper produced by the ‘Lambeth Group’ which held a series of meetings at Lambeth Palace in the run up to the New Millennium to formulate values common to all faiths, which should underpin our common approach to the 21st century. These are:
• Showing concern for others
• Putting our responsibilities before our rights
• Considering the implications of our actions for future generations
• Putting principles before expediency or mere pragmatism
• Celebrating diversity, encouraging mutual respect and taking a positive view of tolerance

Q4 Ignorance, prejudice and fear keep people apart. Not a good thing. Not to be confused with being true to ones faith or better aspects of culture.

All the bodies listed plus government departments and government itself, need to do a lot more on the lines described above. The Sikh experience has been one of meeting appalling ignorance, arrogance and insincere lip service at all levels.

Q5 It is natural to human nature to fear difference. Newcomers should go out of their way to re-assure existing communities. For example: local residents expressed resentment about the opening of a Sikh gurdwara in their locality. Sikhs from the gurdwara visited all homes in the locality to explain what goes on in a gurdwara and how it is totally consistent with the values of a Christian society. The very act of visiting helped allay fears, and an invitation to share in langar resulted in still continuing friendships.

Q6, Effective ways to combat negative perceptions… Education, education, education.
It is important that this extends to government departments and all statutory bodies involved with faith communities. Condescending arrogance is no substitute for understanding and appreciation. The Sikh experience suggests that much has to be done in this key area.
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