Oppositions from members of the Sikh community forced the cancellation of a Vaisakhi event which was being held at a mosque.
The 'Vaisakhi at the Mosque' event was being organised by Hope Not Hate in association with Same=Difference on April 24 at Birmingham Central Mosque. It was being supported by among others City Sikhs, Sikhs in Politics and the Islamic Society of Britain.
The event was cancelled due to concerns over the safety of attendees.
The group Sikh Youths UK posted, "The anti panthic event Vaisakhi in the Mosque has been cancelled, well done to all those who came together to address this in a constructive way, may the Panth continue to flourish and take a stand against such anti panthic events."
Anti-Panthic is believed to refer to someone or something ‘which is against the principles, activities, and collective identity of the Sikh Panth’.
*VAISAKHI AT THE MOSQUE*
— Sikh Youth UK (@SikhYouthUK_) April 24, 2019
The anti panthic event Vaisakhi in the Mosque has been cancelled, well done to all those who came together to address this in a constructive way, may the Panth continue to flourish and take a stand against such anti panthic events. pic.twitter.com/tJNlJQM271
Writer and journalist Sunny Hundal was one of the first to ask why this event had been targeted.
He said, "Un-***king-believable. A group of Sikh 'activists' last night held a 'protest' & threatened to bring more people to stop an event.
"What was it? Inter-faith learning event between British Sikhs and Muslims!
"Tell me there isn't a problem of bigotry and thuggery among Sikhs."
Un-fucking-believable.
— Sunny Hundal (@sunny_hundal) April 24, 2019
A group of Sikh 'activists' last night held a 'protest' & threatened to bring more people to stop an event.
What was it? Inter-faith learning event between British Sikhs and Muslims!
Tell me there isn't a problem of bigotry and thuggery among Sikhs
Sunny added, "I won't name individuals or groups involved yet for their own safety, but this was organised by anti-hate group @hopenothate.
"The event had to be cancelled because of worries for people's safety - accused of being "traitors" for working with Muslims."
"Am so angry."
Others were keen to understand why a protest was necessary.
Dr Opinderjit Takhar posted, "Absolutely appalling that @SikhYouthUK_ have staged a protest. What are you objecting to exactly? And please do clarify how this is anti panthic for those of us who just don’t understand what “being panthic” means to your organisation. Please do explain."
Naved Siddiqi added, “This was to be a UK first: Vaisakhi in a mosque! Was really looking forward to it. Comes at a good time too, what with the 550 celebrations, and Pakistan opening Kartarpur. A case of bullies blocking the bridge in the name of “community”? - seen that sort of thing before...”
A Hope Not Hate message read, "It is with a heavy heart that we write to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, we are cancelling this evenings event.
"The work that the Same Difference group are doing was dreamt up with the full knowledge that there are unnecessary tensions and divisions between some sections of the Sikh and Muslim communities."
The letter adds that activists had protested at the home of a Sikh Trustee.
This was the message sent out to those that were attending pic.twitter.com/yDaCRLYpX5
— Sukhvinder Kaur (@Sukhi_Kaur_84) April 24, 2019
Sikh Youth UK posted this statement on social media in response to the cancellation
*VAISAKHI IN THE MOSQUE*
— Sikh Youth UK (@SikhYouthUK_) April 25, 2019
This is an official Statement from panthic orgs, Gurdwara and jathabandia who actually represent the Sikh community regarding the Vaisakhi in the mosque event.
Please all read and share thank you for the Sangata always standing supporting the Panth. pic.twitter.com/dQry16D1BH
Sikh Youth UK have been contacted for a comment
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