Following the election of two far right candidates in the European elections in the Yorkshire and North West regions, Suleman Nagdi, Public Relations Officer for the Federation of Muslim Organisations points out why communities must unite to fight bigotry in all forms.
 
“I am appalled by the election of the two BNP candidates in the elections last night but accept that this is part of the democratic process of this country which we support and cherish. However, we are against false propaganda peddled by the far right and in these elections that there were a number of very serious allegations leveled against the Muslims in Britain. In several interviews, the
BNP leader mentioned acts of criminality committed by Muslims against Christians and Sikhs in Yorkshire and the North West. In Leicester, the Muslim community has years of cordial relations with both communities and works closely with them on many projects.
 
“I noticed that the far right has hijacked the Christian symbol of the cross and made reference to the Christian faith as being central to their political campaign. This is alien to my understanding of Christianity which has one of the closest relations to Islam alongside Judaism and we in Leicester have become the standard bearers for Christian-Muslim relations, developing and supporting
community cohesion efforts in the City and the County through our annual joint charity dinners, sporting events and providing training for both faith and public sector agencies.
 
“The allegations that Sikhs voted for the BNP in Yorkshire and the North West are serious. I am grateful to my Sikh friends who have refuted the claims made by the BNP and show how as a nation, we can share a common vision and live together in peace and harmony”.
 
Resham Singh Sandhu, Chairman of the Sikh Welfare and Cultural Society added, “I object to my faith being misused grotesquely in this way by the BNP. Their tactics of dividing communities are highly dangerous and harmful to the life of this nation, more so when faith is manipulated for cheap political gains. The Sikh faith is one of tolerance, fairness and one that encompasses what many
other faiths share in common. We have shown this through our good work with Muslims and other faith groups in the City and the County.  Most Sikhs certainly do not vote for the BNP as a party because of the party’s xenophobic stance that defies the very fundamental of faith and religion.
 
Mr Sandhu further added: “the National Network of Sikhs is due to meet this Saturday, 13 June in London to review the situation and assess the alleged Sikh support and intend to form a course of action as a responsible body and how best to inform the British Sikhs of this nation.”
 
Canon Dr. Andrew Wingate, Bishop’s Inter Faith Advisor and the Director of St Philip’s Centre commented: “I am deeply sad that in the political and economic crisis facing our country, a minority of voters have turned to a racist party. Their rules not only exclude from their party membership the Asian and Black minorities but also Christians who are not white, of whom there are large numbers in our country living peacefully alongside Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, etc. The Leicester Faith Leaders Forum – as well as our Bishop and the two Archbishops of Canterbury and York – warned strongly against voting BNP and all faiths supported this resolution.  The election of the two BNP MEPs is a wake-up call, to make sure these gains are reversed in the coming general election! The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales too has reiterated the dangers of far right political parties like the BNP using the religious symbols and
language for their petty gains.”
 
This joint statement further emphasises the importance of all communities to get involved robustly in the democratic process of voting at election times for those candidates who have a vision for justice and fairness for all who have adopted this nation as their home.  

END
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8th June 2009
 
For further comments please contact:-
 
Suleman Nagdi Federation of Muslim Organisations – 07759 446555
Resham Singh Sandhu, Sikh Welfare and Cultural Society – 07881 760852
Canon Dr Andrew Wingate, Bishop’s Inter Faith Advisor – 07808 586259