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Toronto,
Ontario, Canada: 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, “It was a
pleasure and a privilege attending the 2nd Global Sikh Civil Rights
Conference. 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.” |
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Almas Jiwani, President, CC-UNIFEM |
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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. |
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The Audience Engaged the Speakers in a Lively Discussion on Civil Rights Concerns |
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UNITED SIKHS Releases 2009 Global Sikh Civil
Rights Report; from L to R: Jaspreet Singh, Ondray Harris, Shanaaz
Gokool, Almas Jiwani, Barbara Hall, and Kuldip Singh
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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. |
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Panelists Engaged in Lively Question Answer Sessions with the Audience |
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From L to R: Ondray Harris, Shanaaz Gokool, Almas Jiwani, Barbara Harris, and Kuldip Singh |
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 | | Bob Rae, Kulvir Singh Gill, Prof. Manjit Singh, Shanaaz Gokool |
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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. |
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Attorney Sartaj Singh Dhillon |
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S. Gurdial Singh of France
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Artist and Activist Rabbi Shergill Performs |
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GNE Performs |
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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. |
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MP Kirsty Duncan |
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MP Gurbax Singh Mahli
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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. |
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Harpreet Singh Sandhu, California Sikh Leader, Speaks on Acting Locally and Political Action |
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| Kuldip
Singh, Director, UNITED SIKHS commented, “The conference was a major
success. We were able to hear from some of the best civil rights
advocates and leaders who contemplated Sikh issues and gave excellent
input on our way forward. Despite massive challenges faced by the Sikh
community, we are confident in our struggle.” |
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World Sikh Council is honored for their continuing efforts in engaging the Akal Takht Sahib |
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Kiran Kaur |
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You may read a previous press release on the Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/rtt/sikhconf/ |
