SCYS are holding a short but jam packed, fun filled playscheme and flying sikhs presentation afternoon.

The 3 days will consist of making vaisakhi cards, workshops, sports, treasure hunt and cinema.

Sunday 11th April is open to all ages, children and adults. A minibus will be going to derby quad cinema for a presentation of Flying Sikhs. Tickets are £2.00. Mini bus will be leaving SCYS at 2.30pm

For further information, please contact me on 0115 915 8836 or email me sandeep.chaggar@scys-notts.co.uk

SCYS are fundraising for children in need.

We are taking part in an annual walk from Nottingham to Derby, on Sunday 8th November 2009.

The walk will start at 7.30am from Nottingham and arriving approximately at Derby 3.30pm.

You must get sponsors to take part, email me for a sponsor form and further information

sandeep.chaggar@scys-notts.co.uk

Take part, show your support and do something different!!

MATV were using incorrect terminology by referring to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as ‘the holy book’ on the live show article in celebration of 300 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

SCYS wrote to MATV to refrain from using incorrect terminology although we do recognise that over the past years, many sikh writers  have used the terminology ‘Holy Book’ and ‘Sikh Bible’ to assist the host Christian community to understand Sikh beliefs.

However, as Sikhs, in the community and media are in a prime position to increase the knowledge and understanding of non-Sikhs in society today, we should refrain from using incorrect terminology.

In 2008, the British based Lloyds list nominated Jasprit Singh Chawla for their “Shipmaster of the Year” award, for his actions during an oil spill in Dec 2007. But in Dec 2008, a Korean court jailed him and his chief officer Syam chetan for those very actions.

Unfortunately Jasprit Singh Chawala cannot eat the prison food as he is a vegetarian and no vegetarian options are available. Since 10^th Dec, he has been on rice and water. “Although doctors see him everyday, his health is deterioriating”.Mr Chawla’s basic human rights were not being met by the prison services where he was detained.

SCYS wrote letters to the High Commisions in korea, MPs, and other agencies of authority to provide warm vegetarian food to Mr Chawla so his basic human rights could be met.

On response, we were informed by journalist Kerry Paul that Mr Chawla has been released on bail by the Supreme Court although the convictions still stand.

A significant proportion of Sikhs that were left behind in Pakistan in 1947, when Panjab was partitioned, were forced to convert to Islam in order to live. The few that did not convert remained at risk for a long time. However, from 1980’s this changed and Sikhs were treated with due respect by the Pakistani people and the Government.  

However, since Taliban have taken control, great concerns had arisen in which the Taliban started to demand Jiziya (Tax) from the Sikhs as part of the Sharia law. Apparently, this tax can be applied to non Muslims in Islam. 

Sikh leaders were kidnapped and the Sikh properties were surrounded by armed Taliban demanding payment of Rs 60 million which they reduced to Rs 20 million. Sikhs that did not meet the deadline to pay up, houses were demolished and properties were seized.

SCYS urged MPs and the Prime Minister to protect the Sikhs in Pakistan and assist them either in the payment of the Jiziya or relocation to safer areas.

 We have had numerous replies from everyone who we asked for help. A special relief package was announced for the Pakistani Sikhs. The package covers accommodation, provision of food, medical and educational facilities, financial assistance and security measures for these families. In this connection, the ministry has provided Rs 5.0 million to five hundred families (Rs 10, 000 to each household).

Prisoners from HM Prisons contacted SCYS to help them gain more information about Sikhi, facilitate Simran and Katha sessions and help them to socially integrate back into the outside world.

SCYS staff and colleagues have visited the inmates to see how they can assist. As a result, SCYS are willing to work in partnership with the chaplaincy at the prison to support the inmates.

A sixth-form Sikh student was allowed to return to college wearing her Sikh Kirpan after initially being evicted during exams for wearing her Sikh Kirpan after initially being evicted during exams for wearing her Sikh article of faith. The ban also affected two other initiated Sikhs who were also told that they could not enter the college wearing a Sikh Kirpan.

The ban reversal came after Sikh Community and Youth Services along with community leaders and Sikh legal teams worked around the clock with the college to clarify legislation regarding Sikh rights and resolve the matter.

Furthermore, many people who once saw Guru Ji’s Kirpan as a mere knife, have now been educated of its deep value and unbreakable bond with a Sikh. The college took a very cooperative approach, and students carrying the Kirpan will no longer be treated any different.