Sikh Council UK Condemns Acts of Terror in Peshawar

2014-12-18- peshwar attackLONDON, UK—Sikh Council UK today expressed solidarity with the people of Peshawar, Pakistan who are mourning the loss of 132 children and 9 of their teachers in an unimaginable act of terror. 

Spokesperson for the Sikh Council UK, Gurinder Singh Josan said, “The deliberate targeting of innocent children and their teachers in this way is a despicable act and we utterly condemn it.  Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with the families and friends of those who were killed.  We cannot imagine the anguish they must be experiencing.” 

He added, “Those responsible for planning and carrying out this act of terror must be brought to justice.  Our thoughts also go out to the families and friends of the two persons killed in the hostage situation in Sydney, Australia.” 

The North West frontier region of Pakistan and Afghanistan are places that have seen an increase in intolerance and hatred towards others by the Taliban and their supporters.  Sikh Council UK is aware of individuals from the Sikh community being killed, kidnapped and having their businesses shut down.  We are also aware of Sikhs in these areas being forced to pay a tax to local Taliban forces to continue to live in an area they have lived in for many generations in some cases. 

The Sikh Council UK has recently held discussions with the Pakistan High Commission and senior representatives of Sikh Council UK recently visited and met with Sikhs in Pakistan to assess the severity of the threat to Sikhs in these areas.  We will continue working for an end to intolerance and hatred and for Sikhs and all others to be able to live and practice their faith in peace wherever they may be in the world.

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