SSingh11

VahegurooJiKaKhalsaVahegurooJiKiFateh Registration for Khalsa Camp 2011 is now OPEN! It will take place 26th- 31st August 2011. Please register online at http://www.khalsacamp.com/uk/ VahegurooJiKaKhalsaVahegurooJiKiFateh

Birmingham, UK - An employment tribunal ruled today (18th May 2011) that a Sikh Prison officer was not discriminated against when he was asked to remove his Kirpan, his article of faith, even though a proposal to allow the wearing of the Kirpan had already been agreed in principle, following comprehensive consultation by the Ministry of Justice. Employment Judge NJ Roper who delivered the reserved judgment said that Prison Service Orders, PSO 4550, were in effect a blanket ban on the wearing of a Kirpan in prisons by anyone other than a Sikh prison chaplain. “Since 2004 the Ministry of Justice has been aware that it is necessary to balance the need for security and safety within prisons, with the need to ensure that the Prison Service is not discriminating against baptised Sikhs by excluding them from working in prisons,” Judge Roper said in the judgment. “We have seen an e-mail from Mrs McAllister the Head of Security Group of the Prison Service dated 7 December 2004 in which she suggests "in order to balance faith needs and security considerations, but with regard to the primacy of security, it seems appropriate to move away from a blanket ban on the wearing of kirpans", he added. “The Kirpan is an article of faith which signifies compassion and reminds a Sikh to uphold the truth,” Jagdip Singh said in defense of his right to wear his Kirpan The Employment Tribunal sitting in Birmingham had heard that a comprehensive consultation was carried out in 2008 by the National Offender Management Service (“NOMS”), an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice which is responsible for prison and probation matters. This included a risk analysis following which a proposal was made in January 2009, before Jagdip Singh commenced his employment s a prison officer, to approve in principle the wearing of the Kirpan by prison staff. However, in Nov 2009, a new Director General of NOMS, Mr Wheatley, in response to an inquiry by Jagdip Singh’s MP about his dismissal, opposed the proposal. “As at the date of this hearing, the Prison Service has not amended PSO 4550 to allow prison staff to carry the Kirpan,” noted Judge Roper. “The Tribunal heard evidence of the risk analysis and the proposal to allow the wearing if the Kirpan by prison staff, yet the Tribunal chose to ignore the preponderance of evidence in favour of allowing the wearing of the Kirpan, “ said Mejindarpal Kaur, Legal Director of UNITED SIKHS, who was approached for help by Jagdip Singh in 2009 following his dismissal for wearing his Kirpan. “Judge Roper said in his judgment that an initiated Sikh is not protected from indirect discrimination under the Race Relation Act because he is not a separate and distinct class from non-initiated Sikhs. He then said that since the evidence suggests that only 10 per cent of UK Sikhs are initiated, the Kirpan ban does not discriminate the majority of Sikhs because its impact was small,” added Mejindarpal Kaur. You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS’ advocacy for Sikh articles of faith globally at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-14-05-2011-00.html Issued by: Mejindarpal Kaur Legal Director International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy Law-global@unitedsikhs.org +44 (0)8701993328

Japan Earthquake Relief Underway as UNITED SIKHS Aid Team Delivers Emergency Relief Materials Highlights: * Nearly half a million people impacted, Nuclear crisis rating increased * Relief supplies for personal hygiene and to help keep warm are top priority * First consignment of personal hygiene products delivered by UNITED SIKHS Aid team in Chiba to the Matsudo City Office. CHIBA, JAPAN: After nine days without heat, electricity, running water, regular meals or word from their loved ones, people affected by the Tsunami are hungry and frustrated. The situation is tense but under control. The humanitarian crisis is eroding confidence of the people. The following is the report from ground zero of the impact: * Severity rating of the nuclear crisis raised to level 5 from 4 on the seven-level INES international scale, putting it on a par with the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. Chernobyl was a 7 on that scale. * No plans yet to expand the evacuation area beyond 30 km at this point. Japan's nuclear agency said the radiation level at the plant was as high as 20 millisieverts per hour. The limit for workers involved in emergencies was 100 millisieverts but it has been raised to 250 for those handling the incident. * Nearly 8,649 people have been confirmed killed in the quake and tsunami. Another 13,262 people are missing with many feared dead. * More than 380,000 evacuees live in shelters; 256,000 homes without electricity; 1.5 million homes lack running water. While the Governments work on long term plans, we need to work with the local teams to help people regain the strength to start life afresh. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reports that weather conditions have worsened in the areas most affected which is affecting distribution of relief supplies. More than 350,000 evacuees continue to endure cold weather at shelters in 16 prefectures, including Tokyo,as blankets and other desperately needed relief supplies start to meet the demand. http://img849.imageshack.us/i/unitedsikhsjapan.jpg Gursharanjeet Kaur and her husband in Chiba, Japan, with the consignment of personal care products delivered to Matsudo city office http://img850.imageshack.us/i/unitedsikhsjapan2.jpg A makeshift evacuation centre in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, Northern Japan Photo Courtesy EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA Gursharanjeet Kaur, coordinating relief efforts for UNITED SIKHS in Chiba, Japan, said "Currently there is a need for emergency relief items because of the standard of sanitation in camps. We are distributing basic hygiene kits that include body soap, hand sanitizers, tooth brush and paste, bath tissue, baby diapers, and water bottles at the cost of approximately USD 100 per family, that will takes care of their hygiene for a month". She adds, "The weather is colder, and so we also need supplies to help people keep warm." The UNITED SIKHS Aid team procured the items locally as it is cost effective and timely. Additional relief items will be procured and supplied based on assessment of needs by the local team in Chiba. The team is working for those most affected, though themselves experiencing the effects first hand. Fissures in the earth appeared in the city of Chiba as a result of the Earthquake with water seeping through. We encourage you to make monetary donations for our brethren in Japan. Please stand by our Japanese brothers and sisters – keep them in your prayers and reach out with support. How you can help: UNITED SIKHS is now collecting monetary donations to purchase supplies locally. For more information on how you can assist please reach out to the UNITED SIKHS office closest to you at http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php. To donate please click: http://unitedsikhs.org/donate.php Issued by: Kanwal jit Kaur Program Coordinator kanwaljit.kaur@unitedsikhs.org | contact@unitedsikhs.org 1-888-243-1690 | 1-646-688-3525 Current Situation of Gurdwara Sahibs (Sikh places of worship) in Japan Guru Nanak Darbar, Kobe: This is 585 Km from Fukushima (Reactor) & 647 km from Sendai ( Earthquake ). It is safe and services are going on as normal. Guru Nanak Darbar, Tokyo: The building & Guru Granth Sahib ji swaroop's are safe but services are interrupted due to radiation threat. Majority of the sangat has gone back to India. ___________________ Q&A Fact sheets for Japanese Nationals by U.S Citizenship & Immigration Services USA UK Canada The following Items are Urgently Needed!! * Things to keep warm:Heavy duty Blankets, socks, shoes (like tennis shoes), Indian tea to keep warm, Kerosene oil – for heat and warm food * Things for personal hygiene: Hand sanitizer (and anything that keeps yourself clean), Toilet Paper, Hand towels, Tooth brush, Soap, Personal clothing, Garbage plastic bags, Sanitary Napkins, Diapers, Water bottles * Medicines: For Diarrhea and Fever, Cough medication * Miscellaneous: Glasses, Masks, Portable toilet, Water _______________ The nuclear crisis is the worst Japan has faced since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War. It is also the first time that such a grave nuclear threat has been raised in the world since a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine exploded in 1986. ou can help those affected by the current crises in Japan by making a financial gift to the UNITED SIKHS, which will provide immediate relief and support to those in need. Call 1-888-243-1690 for more information. ___________________ Donate Onlinehttp://unitedsikhs.org/donate.php ___________________ Contact UNITED SIKHS Contribute to UNITED SIKHS through local chapter in your country:http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php .

How to prevent radiation? * Windows and Doors should be closed * Airconditioners and other ventilators should be shut * When outdoors wear masks * Expose your skin as little as possible * When returning home change your clothes * Avoid drinking tap and well water * Avoid eating food that is left outside The nuclear crisis is the worst Japan has faced since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. It is also the first time that such a grave nuclear threat has been raised in the world since a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine exploded in 1986. You can help those affected by the current crises in Japan by making a financial gift to the UNITED SIKHS, which will provide immediate relief and support to those in need. Call 1-888-243-1690 for more information. Contribute to UNITED SIKHS through local chapter in your country:http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php .

UNITED SIKHS is coordinating relief efforts for Japan. Immediate needs: Emergency disaster shelters, Blankets, Blue tarpaulins, Pregelatinized rice, Bread, Water, Household goods -Toothbrushes, tissue paper, baby products, milk powder. We request monetary donations to purchase supplies locally. Donate online - http://unitedsikhs.org/donate.php OR contact our office closest to you- http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php Highlights: * State of Emergency declared in Japan due to the threat posed by reactors in two nuclear power plants, thousands of people evacuated in response. * Japanese National media says 215,000 people are seeking shelter in emergency centres across the country but it is reported that there are not enough blankets, food and water. * UNITED SIKHS coordinates relief efforts. Only cash donations are accepted currently per directives. These donations will be used to procure relief supplies locally. CHIBA, JAPAN: On March 11 Japan was hit by the largest earthquake in the country's history. The 9.0 magnitude quake triggered a massive tsunami along the northeastern coast — sweeping away entire villages with walls of water more than 30 feet high. UNITED SIKHS volunteers Gursharnjeet Kaur and Naoki Nakajima, residents of Matsudo are assessing urgent needs and in the process of distributing emergency relief supplies. The United Nations humanitarian affairs office estimated that 380,000 people were evacuated from tsunami and earthquake damage. Another 210,000 who live within 12 miles of the Fukushima nuclear power complex were evacuated to avoid potential radiation exposure. About 3,000 people were rescued and more than 10,000 were missing, the U.N. said. The Health Ministry of Japan has said, "Please help us respond quickly to this disaster. Nearly 2,500 people have been confirmed dead so far from the powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on Friday. More than 17,000 others are missing. Please join us in praying for the children and families impacted by this devastating natural disaster in Japan. Minami Sanriku town is submerged Saturday after Friday's strong earthquake-triggered tsunami in Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan. (Courtesey AP Photo/Kyodo News) Gursharanjeet Kaur, said, "Continued aftershocks and tsunami are hampering rescue efforts. Up to three meters high waves continue to hit the coastline. There have been numerous aftershocks in the region since the first powerful earthquake. The level of destruction is still not clear and is likely to be some days before a clearer picture emerges as to the extent of damage. The most affected areas are near the coastal city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture which has a population of one million and is 300 km northeast of Tokyo. There is no water, no power and we appeal to the global community to help the people of Japan in these dire circumstances " "People in Japan are grappling with the after effects of the earthquake and tsunami, and now the added threat of nuclear exposure," says Kuldip Singh, President, UNITED SIKHS, USA. "UNITED SIKHS is coordinating relief efforts to assist those whose lives have changed forever by these disasters, and we urge people to generously support these efforts." The immediate needs are the following - * Emergency disaster shelters (Balloon Shelters and Emergency Tents) * Blankets * Blue tarpaulins * Pregelatinized rice * Bread * Water * Household goods such as: Toothbrushes, tissue paper, baby products, milk powder How you can help: UNITED SIKHS is now collecting monetary donations to purchase supplies locally. For more information on how you can assist please reach out to the UNITED SIKHS office closest to you at http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php. To donate please click: http://unitedsikhs.org/donate.php Issued by: Kanwal jit Kaur Program Coordinator kanwaljit.kaur@unitedsikhs.org contact@unitedsikhs.org 1-888-243-1690 / 1-646-688-3525

YOU DON'T COUNT, IF YOU'RE NOT COUNTED ANSWER "SIKH" IN THE 2011 CENSUS (ENGLAND AND WALES) AND BE COUNTED "Please draw attention to questions 16 and 20 of the 2011 Census in particular and assist fellow Sikhs to ensure they are counted and served by public bodies and authorities in England and Wales," requests Ravjeet Singh, UNITED SIKHS Community Advocacy Director. Highlights: * UNITED SIKHS appeal for all Sikhs to unite and answer "Sikh" to questions 16 and 20 of the 2011 Census * Educate your peers and assist them in completing the survey accurately * You may download a poster on Census 2011 here, please print and put it up at your local Gurdwara or community centre London, United Kingdom – 15th March 2011- Census 2011 surveys have been delivered to households throughout England and Wales and 27 March 2011 is Census Day. UNITED SIKHS is making a community appeal to all Sikhs; answer "Sikh" to questions 16 and 20 and be counted! In the 2001 Census the religious affiliation question recorded only 336,000 Sikhs in England and Wales, whilst the actual figure was estimated to be closer to 700,000. Why complete the Census survey? You have a legal obligation to complete the Census survey. The information gathered from the Census is used by policy makers and service planners to forecast and respond to service needs. A report analysing the processes of the Office for National Statistics commissioned by the Sikh Federation (UK) in January 2010 explains that in practice this means that long before a nurse is treating a patient; the hospital, local authority and government department have considered the specific needs of all community members by use of accurate data relating to the population. A large part of this data is derived from question 16 of the Census "What is your ethnic group?" If you do not answer "Other" and then "Sikh" to this question your needs are unlikely to be faithfully met by the government bodies that are established to serve your everyday needs. If you are not counted in a system that functions on the basis of collated data then you are prone to receive sub-standard service and care; your needs are dealt with at best on an inefficient ad hoc basis or, as is most likely, you remain hidden and ultimately, you do not count. The report therefore concludes that "in effect Sikhs are invisible on paper to the 40,000 public bodies that design, plan or deliver public services". Why are Sikhs an ethnic group? The concept of Sikh as an ethnic group has been widely discussed in the media and Sikh community over recent years. The House of Lords ruled, 25 years ago, that a Sikh belongs to an ethnic group, in a case called Mandla v Dowell Lee [1983] 2 AC 548, and said that an ethnic group must have one or many of the following characteristics : * a long, shared history; * a cultural tradition of its own; * a common geographical origin or descent; * a common language, not necessarily peculiar to the group; * a common literature peculiar to the group; * a common religion; * being a minority or being an oppressed or a dominant group within a larger community. It is now our role as a community to uphold this legal right. The Sikh community has contributed a great deal to English and Welsh society, in the words of Sir Winston Churchill "British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time", it is now high-time for Sikhs to unite and be counted, and reap the benefits of what they have sown throughout their existence in Great Britain. What can you do? UNITED SIKHS solemnly appeals to you as a member of the Sikh community to reach out to your peers and educate them on the benefits of completing the Census survey accurately. Please visit http://sikhcensus.org/ for more information about Census 2011 and what you can do to raise awareness within your community. To read about UNITED SIKHS efforts to raise the issue of separate ethnic monitoring for Sikhs in the United States please visit http://www.unitedsikhs.org/blog/2010/03/identify-yourself-as-sikh-in-census-2010/ Issued By: Manchandan Kaur Media and Communications Associate +44(0)8701993328 contact@unitedsikhs.org English Poster Panjabi Poster

Formal Launch of Global Sikh Civil & Human Rights Report at United Nations Church Center, New York: Press Conference/ Expert Panel Speakers March 28, 2011 1pm Please RSVP for the Event: Details Provided Below New York, NY: UNITED SIKHS would like to invite you to the release of the 3rd Annual Global Sikh Civil and Human Rights Report. We will be hosting a press conference in New York City on Friday, March 28th, 2011. The Annual Civil & Human Rights Report highlights the civil and human rights violations perpetrated against Sikhs and other minority communities worldwide. Copies of the Report will be distributed at the event. To view the Report online, please visit UNITED SIKHS homepage or click here. The Report combines data from primary and secondary sources covering 29 countries around the world, and is a unique publication because of its focus on human rights abuses of particular concern to the global Sikh community. Framed in the discussion of Sikh civil and human rights concerns, the Report demonstrates how minority communities are adversely facing the brunt of evolving governmental policies that threaten their identity. Over the years, the Report has informed the work of Sikh and non-Sikh civil and human rights advocates, litigators, and non-profit organizations. Members of the UNITED SIKHS legal team will present the findings from the report as well as have honored guests who teach, write, and advocate for civil and human rights issues talk about the importance of documenting and highlighting civil & human rights abuses, and the ways in which reports of this kind are used to effect positive change in the world. Please join us for this informative and thought provoking event, the focus of which is especially relevant given the recent spate of hate crimes perpetrated against Sikhs over the past four months in Sacramento (Nov. 2010, Mar. 2011) and Atlanta (Nov. 2010) and the recent discovery of mass graves in India that may further substantiate claims of genocide in 1984. These events will be documented in the next Report (2011). National and local media have been invited and a distinguished panel of speakers has confirmed invitation to the event. Panel Speakers: * Dan Mach, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)/ Freedom of Religion and Belief, [DC] * Pabitra Benjamin, Field Director, Rights Working Group (RWG), [DC] * Dr. Bobbi Nassar, Vice Chair for the NGO Committee on Human Rights, [NY] * Thane Rosenbaum, Fordham Law Professor/ John Whelan Distinguished Lecturer in Law and Director of the Forum on Law, Culture & Society, [NY] * Department of Justice (DOJ)/ Community Relations Services, [DC] (invitation extended) * Hansdeep Singh (Senior Staff Attorney)/ Ilana Ofgang (Legal Fellow), UNITED SIKHS, [NY] The event will take place on March 28, 2011 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the United Nations Church Center, 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Floor Conference Room, New York, NY 10017. Please arrive by 12:45 p.m., event will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and snacks will be served. For questions or to RSVP to the event please contact Rucha Kavathe by calling 1-888-243-1690 or by email at rucha.kavathe@unitedsikhs.org. Copies of the Report will be available at the event. We look forward to seeing you and hope that you will be able to join us for this important discussion. Issued By: Rucha Kavathe 1-888-243-1690 rucha.kavathe@unitedsikhs.org

Candle Light Vigil Commemorating the Attack on the 2 Sikh men in San Francisco Sacramento, California: Please attend the Interfaith Prayer Vigil commemorating Sardar Surinder Singh and praying for the recovery of Sardar Gurmej Atwal. We stand in solidarity with the families in their hour of grief and urge all community members to attend the candlelight vigil. What: Interfaith Vigil When: Friday, March 11, 2011 at 6 PM (PST) Where: Intersection of East Stockton Boulevard at Geneva Point Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95624 The funeral for Mr. Singh will take place on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 10 AM (PST) at the North Sacramento Funeral Home and is open to the public. Investigators still ask anyone who has seen or heard anything that might pertain to the case to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-4357 or the Elk Grove Police Department at (916) 714-5115. The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for theshooting has grown to more than $42,000. Those individuals wishing to give contributions for a reward should contribute to the Crime Alerts Sacramento Hate Crime Fund through Lynne Brown, crimepreventionconsultants@yahoo.com. Institutional contributions should be co-ordinated with Amar Shergill of the South Asian Culture & Community Political Action Committee, at amar@shergilllawfirm.com. Information on the vigil can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140085566058857 or by calling(530) 237-4745. If you are in the greater Sacramento Area and would like to attend this event and are in need of transportation please contact Ikagar Singh, ikagars@gmail.com or call/text at 209-321-1104. Issued by: Kanwaljit Kaur kanwaljit.kaur@unitedsikhs.org 1-888-243-1690

Highlights: * Four Canadian Sikhs were refused the right to wear their kirpans at the National Assembly in Quebec. Click here for more information in a previous press release. * We are calling on the Sikh community to stand strong and show their support by signing this petition for the right to wear kirpan in Quebec *Act now! Bloc Québécois has called for the ban to extend to Parliament Hill where Sikhs are currently free to wear the kirpan. Quebec, Canada: Four Canadian Sikhs were refused entry into the National Assembly of Quebec unless they removed their kirpans. UNITED SIKHS is now petitioning for Sikhs to be able to wear their kirpans freely and would like your support.Sign this petition now! Sikhs are a well-integrated community in Canada that have been continually afforded acceptance and respect for their articles of faith by the larger community. While they remain a religious minority, Quebec itself is a minority within English-speaking Canada. “The kirpan always reminds me to stand for justice and equality. It is this very notion of justice, equality and preserving one’s unique differences that Quebec has historically fought to maintain” pointed out Ranbir Singh, UNITED SIKHS Director in Toronto. Although the incident at the Quebec Assembly was regrettable and unfortunate, it provides an opportunity for dialogue with the various communities that enrich Quebec and Canada. UNITED SIKHS stands in solidarity with the global Sikh community and the political leaders that have condemned the incident. Sikhs look up to the ordinary citizens of Quebec to stand with them and ensure that a similar event does not occur in the future. We are calling on Sikhs and the larger community in Quebec to stand strong and show their support by signing this petition for the right to wear kirpan. Forward the petition to friends and family! For background information on the incident and current kirpan accommodation laws and policies in Canada, please click here. To sign the petition now, please click here. If you would like to print the Petition for collecting signatures from your local community, please click here. UNITED SIKHS is committed to protecting the rights of Sikhs to practice their faith freely and without hindrance. If you feel your rights have been violated, email contact@unitedsikhs.org. Issued by: Susan Kaur Legal Fellow law-canada@unitedsikhs.org 1-905-672-2245

Please join us in requesting the Quebec National Assembly to respect minority and religious rights by signing the Petition provided from the link below. This petition is organized by UNITED SIKHS a U.N. affiliated, international non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian relief, human development and advocacy organization, aimed at empowering those in need, especially disadvantaged and minority communities across the world. (See www.unitedsikhs.org) Details of the issue are available in the Notes section. http://unitedsikhs.org/quebecKirpanPetition

HIGHLIGHTS: * Austin Gurdwara Sahib (AGS) faces the possibility of removal (destruction) based on the Texas Appellate Court's judgment. * UNITED SIKHS has intervened and filed an AMICUS BRIEF with the Texas Supreme Court to ensure our voice is heard and that Sikh religious freedoms are not so easily trampled upon. Austin, Texas: Sikhs in Austin face imminent danger to their religious freedom of assembly and practice if the Texas Supreme Court does not agree to review and subsequently overturn the Appellate Court's judgment that requires the removal of the new Gurdwara. UNITED SIKHS was compelled to intervene by submitting an Amicus ("friend of the court") Briefto the Texas Supreme Court making two major arguments: 1. The impact on non-parties (Sikh Community) and their First Amendment rights (religious assembly/ practice) implicate an important public interest and militates against issuing such an extreme and overly broad injunction; 2. The unclean hands of Plaintiffs fueled by racial/ religious animus should be taken seriously in light of recent legal challenges to the building of houses of worship (specifically for minorities) that are motivated by religous discrimination. In a 2010 Report by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Religious Land Use and Instituationalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) cases, they found that 8 of the 18 RLUIPA cases since 9/11 have arisen since May 2010. The Report went on to state that these types of cases are a "sober reminder that, even in the 21st century, challenges to true religious liberty remain." (See DOJ REPORT) The purpose of the Amicus Brief is to aid the Court in its decision making process by raising arguments that reveal the broader public interest at stake. CASE HISTORY (Litigation has been ongoing for over 3 years): * 2003: Austin Gurdwara Sahib (AGS), a mobile home, became a temporary Gurdwara for Austin sangat * 2005: City Council of Bee Cave approved site plans for a new permanent Gurdwara Sahib. None of the neighbors in the subdivision challenged the building of a new permanent Gurdwara * 2008: Plaintiffs, who moved into the neighborhood in 2008, filed a lawsuit against AGS claiming that AGS had violated its deed restrictions. They also called the police and accussed AGS members of "terrorizing" the community when AGS members were merely seeking to get majority support * 2009 (April): Trial Court found in favor of AGS based on a finding of affirmative defenses * 2010 (July): Appellate Court overruled the Trial Court and issued a permanent injunction against AGS * 2010 (August): UNITED SIKHS becomes aware of the Appellate decision seeking a permanent injunction against AGS, which would require the entire removal of the new Gurdwara structure * 2010 (Nov.): AGS counsel, Jane Webre with the law firm of Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P., files a Petition for Review with the Texas Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Appellate Court's judgment * 2011 (Jan. - Feb.): UNITED SIKHS Senior Staff Attorney, Hansdeep Singh, Legal Fellow, Ilana Ofgang, and Legal Interns, Rebecca Tweneboah and Farah Zubair, researched and drafted an Amicus Brief * 2011 (Feb. 18th): UNITED SIKHS filed the Amicus Brief with the Texas Supreme Court * 2011 (Feb. 22nd): UNITED SIKHS reaches out to interfaith groups to join the Amicus Brief Photo Courtesy: www.savegurudwara.com UNITED SIKHS urges the Sikh community to stand in solidarity with AGS and to alert their elected representatives that racial/ religious discrimination against minorities cannot be allowed to go unchecked. Senior Staff Attorney, Hansdeep Singh, asserted that the "destruction of a Gurdwara is not merely the removal of wood and plaster, it is the effacing of a house of worship, a sacred space for a community to be immersed in the company of the sadh sangat (holy congregration) and to remember the ONE." The loss that the Austin Sikh community would face if the Texas Supreme Court does not overturn the Appellate Court decision cannot be understated; AGS represents the only permanent Gurdwara within approximately 100 miles (the nearest Gurdwara is in San Antonio, Texas). Thus, it becomes evident that the Austin Sikh community's right to religious assembly and to practice their faith will be severely compromised. For UNITED SIKHS to continue its efforts in protecting our identity (both domestically and internationally), we need the assistance of the Panth, so please Donate Now! We encourage the Sikh community to vigorously practice their faith and members of the Sikh community should not hesitate to report issues in your respective areas that burden your ability to practice your faith. Call 1-888-243-1690 or email law-usa@unitedsikhs.org. Issued by: Jaspreet Singh Legal Director 1-888-243-1690 law-usa@unitedsikhs.org

"A farmer toils to feeds us. When the hands that feed us reach out for help, we can at least donate £20/$30USD a month, to feed their children," : Appeal by Mejindarpal Kaur, UNITED SIKHS director, who coordinates a farmer suicide pension scheme in Panjab. You can make your yearly or monthly recurrent donation marked for 'Rescue A Family': * via paypal at www.unitedsikhs.org/donate or * by bank remittance, direct debit or cheques payable to UNITED SIKHS by contacting the UNITED SIKHS office nearest to you. See www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php for details. You may watch a video of the Rescue A Family pension scheme here UNITED SIKHS addressing the farmer suicide widows Farmer-suicide widow receives her RAF pension from UNITED SIKHS Farmer-suicide widows waiting to receive their RAF pensions from UNITED SIKHS Sangrur, Panjab, 21st Feb 2011 - This week 50 Panjabi farmer suicide widows will receive their monthly pensions from UNITED SIKHS under a Rescue A Family (RAF) pension scheme that was started last October, whilst thousands others wait for your support. The family breadwinner was swimming so deep in a rising tide of debt that finally he was swallowed up: like thousands of Panjabi farmers every year, he committed suicide. He left nothing behind for his family but more debt. UNITED SIKHS started this pension scheme in October 2010, as a UNITED SIKHS Aid project, after our local partner, the Baba Nanak Education Society (BNES), informed us that farmer-suicide widows, due to poverty, were removing their children from school in order to have an extra pair of hands to earn some income. "The Panjab State has started to acknowledge the problem which was previously dismissed as non-existent. However, state widow pensions are not being given to all such widows and in any case they are minimal at 250 rupees a month," said Mejindarpal Kaur, a UNITED SIKHS director who is coordinating the pension scheme. "Thousands of families find themselves in this desperate position. A study by the Punjab Agricultural University in the districts of Bhatinda and Sangrur indicates 2,890 suicides between 2000 and 2008. A study is ongoing for the remaining 18 districts in Panjab which will paint a bigger picture of the farmer suicide problem," added Mejindarpal Kaur. Among the first to feel the brunt of a farmer-suicide are the children left behind. These kids drop out of schools to labour in the fields to feed their families. The cycle of poverty continues, and every year another crop of suicides is harvested in Panjab, India's bread basket. You may watch a video of the Rescue A family (RAF) pension scheme here. "Under our RAF pension scheme, a farmer-suicide family will receive between 1000 to 1500 Rupees (up to £20/$32 USD) per family for as long as their children remain in school. These pensions are paid into bank accounts opened for them. We have identified 300 more families who are in need immediately," said Mejindarpal. A list of Farmer-suicide families who are currently receiving the RAF pension can be seen here. These pensions are supported by donors from UK, Thailand, Singapore, Canada, USA and Switzerland. You may read about our Rescue A family project and the farmer suicide problem at http://unitedsikhs.org/makepovertyhistory/ You can make your yearly or monthly donation: * via paypal at www.unitedsikhs.org/donate or * by bank remittance, direct debit or cheques by contacting the UNITED SIKHS office nearest to you. See www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php for details. We can stop the cycle of poverty for these families in Panjab. But we can only do it with your help. You may read a previous press release on relief provided by UNITED SIKHS for farmer-suicide families at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-20-08-2010-00.html Issued by: Karanjeet Kaur Media and Communications UNITED SIKHS rescueafamily@unitedsikhs.org 0044 8701993328 (UK)/ 1-888-243-1690 (USA)/ 1-905-672-2245 (Canada)

Gurmeet Kaur-1.doc VOTE FOR HER TYPE AAA<SPACE>GK and Send it to 54646 Gurmeet Kaur is a talented Tabla player, composer and producer from Punjab. She is the first Sikh female tabla player. She also has intense experience in playing sitar and Harmonium. Her career as a Tabla player began during her high school days. She has won many competitions in College, State and National Level. She began her learning of Tabla from UST. BHAJAN LAL JI since her childhood days. She has been fortunate to take her Tabla to an advanced level as a student of UST. ALLA RAKHA INST.OF MUSIC under the guidance of "Ust.Zakir Hussain" and "Ust.Fazal Qureshi". She has given many live solo performances and also organised many workshops for Tabla Players. Hailing from a family who share their expertise in professional singing, Gurmeet also composes her own music. Her music ranges from classical to modern electronic, western music. Her favorite Genres are Indian classical and World fusion music. Her dream is to create her own International Girl Band and wants to be a successful music director in the future. She is Nominating for BEST FEMALE SINGER for Awards for Independence Music 2010. If you are voting for her and you will be the Lucky one, You have a chance to stay 3N/4Days in Bangkok(Thailand). Regards, Panthdeep Singh Chhina