Finally we get Sikh representation but not much coverage

17 July 2005

A book of condolence was opened at the start of the week at City Hall to enable written tributes to be paid to the victims of last Thursday's terror attacks in London. The first official memorial for the victims was also opened in the Victoria Embankment Gardens in the afternoon.

In a sombre and silent ceremony at City Hall, Ken Livingstone was the first to sign the book of condolence. He shed tears after writing "The city will endure. It's the future of our world. Tolerance and change. We are going to carry on with our lives".

Dignitaries ranging from sports figures to religious leaders lined up behind him to enter their names. They included Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair; Sebastian Coe, a former Olympic middle-distance champion who led London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics; and Tessa Jowell, the government minister dealing with the aftermath of Thursday's attacks.

In the afternoon London Mayor Ken Livingston, culture secretary Tessa Jowell and London 2012 bid leader Sebastian Coe were among those who joined faith leaders from across the capital for the opening of the London Memorial Garden in Victoria Embankment Gardens.

Those of you that have followed the Federation's public statements and press releases on the tragic events of Thursday 7 July will be aware we have expressed our surprise and annoyance of the almost complete absence of Sikh representation and coverage. Following a complaint by the Federation to the Ken Livingstone's office regarding his glaring omission of any mention of Sikhs it was a pleasant surprise to see five turbaned Sikhs in the 200 or so present at City Hall. Similarly, the Sikh Missionary Society (UK) was represented at the London Memorial Garden event.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, leader of the Muslim Council of Britain, appeared to be the only Muslim among those who signed and there appeared to be one Hindu representative. It was disappointing that some of the media still chose to only mention the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faiths being present.

The condolence message from the Sikh Federation (UK) read: "The thoughts and prayers of the Sikh Nation are with those that have tragically lost their lives and with their families."

Throughout the week Sikhs continued to take part in other events to guarantee Sikh visibility. Whether this be the community reassurance event at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on Monday, 10 Downing Street and the Sikh Lobby Day at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, various meetings with the police at New Scotland Yard, providing interviews to BBC News 24, ITN TV News and various national radio stations, Vigil in Trafalgar Square on Thursday and Sir Ian Blair's visit to Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara on Friday.

Whilst Sikhs have had better representation in the last week than in the first few days following the tragic events of Thursday 7 July there remains a problem of sufficient coverage and acknowledgement of Sikhs in political circles. All Sikhs - young and old, educated or less educated, leaders and non-leaders, must wake up to the fact that we will only really count if we "shout" loud enough in the right places. There is a massive danger Sikhs will be left behind due to our own complacency to allow a handful of Sikhs to continue to represent all Sikhs. We are all Sikh representatives and must play a part in ensuring Sikhs are at the forefront of public life in the media and politics.