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Sikhs ‘target’ of racial slurs
Perth, December 9
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Sikhs in western Australia state called today for greater awareness and tolerance of cultures and religions, saying they had been the target of racist slurs since September 11.Mr Sarjit Singh Jassal, who is the trustee of the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in western Australia state capital Perth, said the terrorist attacks on the USA had resulted in racist slurs against the Sikhs based on their dress code.
“Because some turban-wearing people grabbed headlines through terrorist acts, all turban-wearing people, including Sikhs, have become the targets for racist taunts and jibes,” he said.
“I have lived in this country for 20 years and, like many Sikhs, have great Australian friends, but these days, people look at us suspiciously and it is not uncommon for us to be questioned aggressively about what faith we belong to.”
He said vandals had mistaken a Sikh temple for a mosque and had thrown a pig’s head and beer cans into its grounds.
State Premier Geoff Gallop said there was no place in society for racism, discrimination, intimidation or acts of violence against the minority groups.
“I want to reassure the Sikh community of our state’s commitment to provide a safe and secure future for all west Australians, free of racist and religious discrimination,” the Premier said.
At marches throughout Australia’s capital cities today, demonstrators called for an end to the war in Afghanistan and racism and sought respect for human rights. Hundreds of people took part in the marches. AP
