16 Dec - Ireland:

AN under-age football club is expected to lodge an official complaint with the FAI after a 12-year-old Sikh boy was ordered to remove his turban during a game.

Karpreet Singh had worn his turban during matches without incident for four years before a problem arose during a recent schoolboy game in Co Meath. The youngster was told by the referee to remove the 'headgear' during the first half, and didn't return to the pitch for the second.

[...]

"The referee told him to remove the 'headgear'. The boy said that he couldn't expose his hair, and his teammates rallied around him."

Link

The issue of the hijab clearly defines how modern Ireland treats its minorities. Irish Muslims deserve the right to dress how they wish and be as Irish as everyone else when doing so.

Continued official prevarication and the ill-informed criticism that has met this call is an indication that sensible social policy needs to be enacted. It seems strange that some people are so clearly offended by others' religious needs.

Modern Ireland can do better for all its citizens.

Some schools allow the hijab while others do not -- and this disparity in practice has necessitated the intervention of the Equality Authority.

Integration Minister Conor Lenihan naively states that there "are no examples of schools where it has been an issue. But there are plenty examples of where it has been accommodated," a statement that is both illogical and untrue.

There are cases of Muslim girls suffering discrimination based upon their religious dress across the country. Indeed, emboldened by Government inaction, a number of schools have explicitly banned the hijab since the new term this year and the Irish Hijab Campaign is following up on further reports....

The failure of the Government to uphold the constitutional rights of Muslims to practice their religion by legislating for the hijab -- in whatever way it manifests itself -- and mainstreaming it in Irish society, is simply a green light for the continuance of 'divergent practices' and discrimination....

The measure of a truly progressive society is how it treats its minorities. In this respect the issue of the hijab will remain.

However, let us not forget about other concerns such as burial space, prayer space, religious accommodation in the workplace, proper inclusion in the political process, the lack of Muslim schools, mosques, etc.

All of these point to inequality and must be addressed if Muslims are ever going to feel that they 'belong'.

I believe we can all build a better Ireland based on equal respect; an Ireland where we can all play a positive role. [Link]

A ban on Muslim head gear in schools could spark a rift with minority communities, an intercultural affairs expert has warned.

Introducing rules against the hijab head scarf or other religious symbols is "likely to result in tension with those communities where no tension existed before," said the director of the State's advisory body on intercultural affairs, Philip Watt.

During the debate over whether Muslim pupils should be allowed wear the headscarf in State schools, Mr Watt, who sits on the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, said most schools had already found their own "sensible and sensitive compromise".

He explained that the majority of schools allowed the head scarf to be worn provided it was the same colour as the school uniform. [Link]

A ban on Muslim head gear in schools could spark a rift with minority communities, an intercultural affairs expert has warned.

Introducing rules against the hijab head scarf or other religious symbols is "likely to result in tension with those communities where no tension existed before," said the director of the State's advisory body on intercultural affairs, Philip Watt.

During the debate over whether Muslim pupils should be allowed wear the headscarf in State schools, Mr Watt, who sits on the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, said most schools had already found their own "sensible and sensitive compromise".

He explained that the majority of schools allowed the head scarf to be worn provided it was the same colour as the school uniform. [Link]

Conflicts are developing in Irish schools over the wearing of the hijab, or headscarf, by Muslim pupils, it was disclosed yesterday.

The issue is a major challenge in faith-based schools where the headscarf is definitely not part of the standard school uniform.

The president of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) Aine O'Neill said that in some Christian faith-based schools, perhaps as much as a third of the students were not of the majority faith.

She was aware of some of her colleagues who were experiencing conflicts over religion in Christian schools where non-Christian students were enrolled.

"Unfortunately bullying has become part of the issue in some schools. Those of us who work with children know that a child who is different in some way to the majority is a target for bullies," she told an NAPD symposium on diversity in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Education sources said last night that her comments are the first public statement about conflicts over the hajib, the use of which has caused tensions in schools in the UK and France."

Ms O'Neill said the "new Irish" came from many and varied cultures. While language differences were obvious, less obvious were the multiple, diverse and contrasting social and religious customs the newcomers brought with them.

She noted that in Ireland there is no official policy on facilitating the integration of children from culturally diverse backgrounds. [Link]

Council representing Irish Sikhs describes issue as 'meaningless'

THE Garda ban on the wearing of the turban as part of its official uniform has opened up fresh divisions, this time within the Irish-Indian community itself.

The latest row centres on a letter sent to the Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan, in which the Ireland-India Council (IIC) dismisses the current row over the turban ban as "meaningless".

While Mr Lenihan -- who has already publicly stated his support for Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy's decision to ban the wearing of the turban by members of the force -- may be reassured by the show of support from the Irish-Indian organisation, it could yet pose a far greater difficulty for him in his role as Integration Minister.

Last night, President of the Irish Sikh Council, Harpreet Singh said his organisation had not been consulted by the IIC before it sent its letter to Mr Lenihan, or at any time prior to that in relation to the turban issue itself.

The IIC letter -- a copy of which has been seen by the Sunday Independent -- is bound to stir fresh controversy, and is almost certain to be raised by the Irish Sikh Council leadership when they meet with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy this week to seek a reversal of the turban ban.

Addressing the issue of the ban in its letter to Integration Minister Conor Lenihan, the IIC's trustee and spokesman, Mr Prashant Shukla said: "The IIC consulted various Irish Indian groups across the State on the present turban issue.

"In these consultations it is clearly reflected that the issue raised by some members of the Sikh community in Ireland is unfortunate and defies logical understanding, as An Garda Siochana is already committed to making its police force multicultural. The present controversy only creates hindrances for wider integration issues."

Commenting on the matter of public demonstrations of faith which could be taken from allowing the wearing of religious symbols as part of the garda uniform, Mr Shukla defends the Garda Commissioner's decision further.

"We believe that religion and faith are very private aspects of an individual's life; their public demonstration may be offensive to others," he says.

The IIC trustee adds that members of the Sikh community have voluntarily restrained from wearing the turban, making the issue of the turban ban "meaningless". [Link]

Irish Police Commissioner Noel Conroy has agreed to meet Sikh community leaders to discuss the ban on turbans imposed on officers.

The move comes after a Sikh trainee officer was told that he could not wear the turban on duty.

Members of Ireland's Sikh community are hoping to convince police to change the ruling.

But police say that religious symbols could lead the public to believe that they are not acting "impartially".

The man, who had already passed three stages of his training, was told of the ban before starting the fourth - in which he would have been working with members of the public.

The Republic's police force, known as An Garda Siochana, requires all officers to wear standard issue uniform - including a cap.

A statement issued on behalf of An Garda said that the public may view variations of the uniform as an indication that the force was not "policing all sections of society equally".

A spokesman for the force told the BBC that they were currently "examining" their policy on all religious symbols, including crucifixes and pioneer pins.

But the president of the Irish Sikh Council, Harpreet Singh, told BBC Radio Five Live that the turban was "a mandatory article of faith that a Sikh cannot take off".

He argued that the rules meant that An Garda were "asking the whole Sikh community to stay out of the police force".

Philip Watt, from the Irish Republic's National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, also told BBC Radio that he thought the police had got it wrong.

"They've perhaps not thought it through full enough, and I think they should go back and review this decision now," he said. [Link]

The president of the Irish Sikh Council has dismissed reports that it is to pursue legal channels over a ruling which prohibits a Sikh garda reserve recruit from wearing a turban as part of his uniform.

Harpreet Singh said members of the Sikh community will meet with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy to discuss the implications of the decision not to allow the recruit to wear his turban.

Mr Singh said he is hopeful that the matter could be resolved amicably.
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It has been reported that the Irish Sikh Council has been in contact with representatives of a New York police officer who successfully overturned a similar ban there.

The garda authorities have said they are standing by their decision and have denied that the headgear ban is racist. [Link]

I am a 30-year-old Sikh girl born in New Zealand and brought up in Sydney, Australia.

Over my lifetime in Australia, I have seen it mature into a wonderful multicultural society. I am now married to an Irish Catholic man, and have been living in Dublin for the last four years. On the whole, I found Irish people quite pleasant, curious about me and my background, but overall pleasant and peaceful people.

I have made many friends here, and think it's generally a great place. As immigration is only really starting now, compared to some of the other Western countries, it's only natural that people are quite ignorant about other cultures. But unfortunately, ignorance usually brings about a lack of tolerance.

I would like to help people understand the reasons why Sikhs wear a turban.

The Sikh religion is only founded in the 16th Century in India. And in a society where there was constant war between Muslims and Hindus, the Sikhs needed to differentiate themselves so they weren't targeted by mistake, and hence they came up with various religious symbols.

One of these symbols and a defining factor of a Sikh is the 'kesh' which is the long uncut hair that a Sikh keeps.

Now to keep this tidy, most men tie their hair on the top of their head and wear a turban on top of it. If men did not wear the turban, they would have to cut their hair, and hence in part they would not be a Sikh anymore.

Now when referring to keeping religious symbols at home, the difference with Sikhs is the turban and the uncut hair is not something that can be left at home and then worn again when they return. If they lose the turban and their 'kesh', they lose their identity as a Sikh man. [Link]

26 August 2007 By John Burke The Irish Sikh Council is considering mounting a High Court challenge aimed at overturning Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy’s ban on Sikhs wearing their traditional turban while on Garda duty.The Sikh council has also confirmed to The Sunday Business Post that it made contact with representatives of a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer who successfully overturned a similar ban in the New York police force.President of the Sikh council, Harpreet Singh, said the council intended to ‘‘take the necessary steps in the event that there is no change of position from the Garda’’ after a Sikh Garda Reserve recruit was told he could not wearing his turban while on duty.
The wearing of the turban is considered a religious act by members of the Sikh faith.Sikh police officers in Britain, Canada and New York are permitted to wear a turban on duty. Singh said the council was examining the issue from a European law perspective but that it would not launch a legal action until meaningful dialogue had ended.Conroy released a statement late last week re-affirming Garda management’s decision to ban Sikhs from wearing a turban instead of the traditional Garda cap.In a strongly-worded statement, Conroy said he believed a variation to standard Garda uniform and dress, including those with religious symbolism, ‘‘may portray an image of the force that the public would not want’’.The statement outlined that the policy was binding on all members of the force, irrespective of religious beliefs.
The statement outlined that the policy was binding on all members of the force, irrespective of religious beliefs.
http://www.thepost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=26139-qqqx=1.asp

Gardaí tonight defended its rule banning Sikh officers from wearing a turban on duty, claiming the force was not racist but trying to be impartial while providing a state service.

Controversy erupted earlier this week after a Sikh man, an IT professional in his 20s, began training to join the Garda Reserve.

Initially he was told wearing a turban would not be a problem but later a senior officer warned if he wanted to go on duty in a station, he would have to remove it, sparking criticism about the gardaí’s alleged outdated rules.

Superintendent Kevin Donohoe of the Garda Press Office said the force was not advocating one religious belief over another and that An Garda Síochána had an effective intercultural policy.

“There is no doubt that the Garda uniform and dress standards present unique issues in accommodating cultural diversity,” he said.

“These are challenges faced by all facets of Irish society as diversity and integration more and more become real issues.

“The Garda Síochána has, historically, been seen as providing an impartial police service, policing all sections of society equally.

“Accommodating variations to our standard uniform and dress, including those with religious symbolism, may well affect that traditional stance and give an image of An Garda Síochána which the Commissioner feels the public would not want.” [Link]

Pressure is growing on the Irish police to allow a Sikh man training to be an officer to wear a turban on duty.

The man, an IT professional in his 20s training to be part of the Garda Reserve, has been told he must wear a standard issue hat.

Ciaran Cuffe, a Green Party member of Ireland's parliament, has written to Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy calling for the ban to be lifted.

"The turban is a vital part of the rules of the Sikh religion," he said.

"Sikh men are prohibited from cutting their hair or appearing in public without the turban.

"In my opinion, the wearing of a turban would in no way impinge upon the operational effectiveness of a member of the force."

An association of Sikh police officers in London has strongly criticised the decision.

The Metropolitan Police Sikh Association said An Garda Siochana's uniform policy was 40 years behind the United Kingdom.

"The question is not one of cultural integration, rather of religious rights and freedom to practise an individual's faith, regardless of jurisdiction," the group said.

The Sikh man has said he will not be taking up his post and the Irish Sikh Council has also criticised the garda position.

An Garda Siochana has insisted all members are required to wear standard issue uniform when on operational duties. [Link]

I have been following with interest, the recent debate regarding the Garda reserve who was told he could not wear a turban with his uniform.

While I sympathise with the individual concerned, I applaud the Minister's decision to stand firm on this issue.

I have been living in the Middle East for the last few years, and despite the fact that I live in one of the more liberal countries in this region, there are a host of social "rules" which I must abide by.

Some of these cause varying degrees of inconvenience to the non-nationals living here, while others are utterly discriminatory.

That said, I am here of my own free will.

My point is that the onus is on me to adapt to the society in which I find myself living, it is not up to that society to adapt to me.

Surely the same should apply to foreign nationals who come to live in Ireland?

We should be welcoming of other nationalities (absolutely), but not to the extent that it changes the fabric of our own national identity.

l I am deeply shocked by the overwhelming support that Conor Lenihan is getting from people for his remarks about how a Sikh man must "fit in with our culture" and not wear a turban while on garda reserve duty, (Letters, August 17).

Since when has Irish culture forbade the wearing of religious garments?

I've heard arguments that when Irish travel to certain countries they must "cover up" in respect for a particular culture.

This logic does not apply because these countries' cultures are governed by a particular religious belief.

Ireland is supposedly a secular country and therefore is not led by a particular church's belief.

Possibly more shocking is the letter that compares a Sikh's need to wear a turban to the cause of the London bombings.

This is mind-bogglingly racist and shows how little many Irish people know about "other" religions. Others, are asking, if we allow one man to wear a turban, what will be next? If I may be so bold to answer, we might learn a little bit more about what Irish culture today is about. [Link]

A top Irish politician is demanding An Garda Siochana scrap a ban on Sikh officers wearing a turban on duty.


Government TD Ciaran Cuffe, Green Party, has written to Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy calling for the ban to be lifted.

"The turban is a vital part of the rules of the Sikh religion. Sikh men are prohibited from cutting their hair or appearing in public without the turban," Mr Cuffe said.

"In my opinion, the wearing of a turban would in no way impinge upon the operational effectiveness of a member of the force."

Mr Cuffe said the ban does not meet international best practice.

Police forces in the UK, US, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan and India have no problem in allowing the wearing of turbans.

Sikh soldiers on United Nations peacekeeping missions have always been permitted to wear the turban. [Link]

Integration Minister Conor Lenihan urged the Civil Service to adopt a policy of hiring immigrants like the Gardai (police) do then hid his blushes as it was revealed a Sikh part-time member of the police reserve is banned from wearing his turban while on duty.

While immigrant membership of police forces is well-established in many countries it is still a relatively new phenomenon in Ireland, and the Garda leadership is still reviewing how it recruits foreign nationals due to the low numbers who actually made it into the force.

Of 7,000 foreign applicants, only 200 made it through to aptitude tests. Yet Lenihan, whose portfolio is a new one in the Irish government, insisted the force was “ahead of the pack” in making efforts to get staff from ethnic communities.

Lenihan, younger brother of Justice Minister Brian Lenihan, said he had discussed with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy the case of the turban ban on the Sikh member of the reserve.

He said the commissioner and his staff were currently considering their position about ethnic forms of headgear for members of the force and its reserve. And, he added, it was only to be expected that immigrants to Ireland must accept Irish culture.

Lenihan acknowledged that the issue of the turban is important for the Sikh community but he insisted, “If we are to take integration seriously people who come here must understand our way of doing things.

“When the president and ministers travel to the Middle East they accept the cultural requirements of the country they are operating in.”

The Sikh forbidden to wear his turban on duty is an information technology professional who, according to sources in his community, joined the Garda reserve from a sense of civic duty.

Turbans are worn by Sikh members of western police forces elsewhere, including in London and Canada. There is expectation that a compromise will eventually be reached in Ireland. [Link]

The Irish Sikh Council has called for Sikhs to be allowed to wear turbans instead of caps when they join the Garda.

The call follows a case where a Sikh who volunteered to join the Garda Reserve was refused permission to wear his turban as part of his uniform. The Garda Síochána today rejected the call for any variation in the standard uniform.

Sikhs do not cut their hair for religious reasons and are obliged to cover it with a turban instead.

According to Harpreet Singh, President of Irish Sikh Council, asking a Sikh community member to get rid of his turban "is like asking him to remove his head".

Mr Singh instead called for Sikh gardaí to be allowed wear a turban carrying the insignia of An Garda Síochána instead of a standard issue hat.

"We strongly believe and accept that as an immigrant community we should respect and adopt cultural values of Irish community," he said. "But we would like to stress that integration is a two-way process. Integration can never be brought about by asking the migrant communities to give up their basic beliefs."

He said Sikhs in police and defence forces in the United States, Britain, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, and India are permitted to wear turbans. [Link]

A SIKH member of the Garda Reserve is banned from wearing his ceremonial headdress, the turban.

Integration Minister Conor Lenihan last night backed up the Garda Siochana ruling, saying immigrants to this country must accept our culture.

Minister Lenihan said he has discussed the Sikh case with the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.

The gardai are currently forming their views about ethnic forms of headgear for members of the force and the reserve.

As turbans are worn by Sikh police officers elsewhere, most notably the London Metropolitan Police, a compromise may be reached.

Sikhs wear turbans to cover the long uncut hair worn as a sign of their commitment to their religious faith. The turban is a headdress consisting of a long scarf-like single piece of cloth wound round the head or an inner hat.

While acknowledging the issue of the turban is important for the Sikh community, the Minister supported the garda stance. "If we are to take integration seriously, people who come here must understand our way of doing things. When the President and Ministers travel to the middle-east, they accept cultural requirements of the country and the culture they are operating in. It is a vice versa situation with regard to Ireland."

The Sikh man is an IT professional, who decided to join the Garda Reserve.

Minister Lenihan said the general trend was towards wearing the designated uniform. [Link]