Posted on 03/07/2012 5:21:41 AM PST by James C. Bennett
NEW YORK: A Sikh family in America has received an anonymous letter that threatens to kill its members for being "associates of the Taliban", prompting authorities to launch a probe into it.
The letter, addressed to the 'Turban Family', said the family is being closely watched and it should leave the US immediately.
"Our people in the neighborhood have been closely watching your activities and figured out you are a close associate of a secret Taliban movement on the US soil. We ask you to leave the country as soon as possible otherwise one of our people is going to shoot you dead. Don't attempt to relocate somewhere else in America as people are closely monitoring your day to day activities," the letter said.
The identity of the family, which lives near Virginia, has not been released.
Local authorities are working with the FBI to investigate the threats in the letter sent to the family last week.
The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF) said the Sikh family had previously been the target of similar hate crimes.
In 2003, the family's home was vandalised with graffiti and it received two threatening letters. In 2005, they received two more death threats through mail.
Inter-faith groups have spoken in support of the family, calling on the authorities to investigate the threats as a hate crime.
"Incidents like these are constant reminders of the challenges that Sikh Americans face as a result of our unique identity. In the absence of awareness about who we are and what we stand for, Sikh Americans continue to endure harassment, discrimination and threats which run counter to the American ideals," the SALDEF said in a statement.
This is sad but I hope it can be cleared up to everyone’s satisfaction (assuming the complainer is not Muslim and just trying to create trouble). Sikhs are not Muslims, but are some of the best friends you could have if your enemies are Muslims.
Lots of people receive death threats in the USA, few get media coverage.
That said, only a moron harasses Sikhs.
I really do feel this is out of ignorance unless it is a Muslim provocateur. And the Sikh family probably would be glad to show who they really are to the ignoramuses that threatened them thinking they are a part of the global Islam menace which they are not.
“Sikhs are not Muslims, but are some of the best friends you could have if your enemies are Muslims.”
Exactly. They are one of the fastest growing minorities in my area of Washington. They are friendly and respectful when you meet them on the street. And they are not a drain on the system like so many others. They are very self relient. They are building some of the most beautiful large homes in our area with most of the work being done by their own people.
Confusing Sikhs with muslims is indefensible. It points to a degree of ignorance that’s simply appalling.
In the years leading up to 9/11, Sikhs were the most prominent cab drivers in New York City. That entire month, all of them had American flags flying on their cars. Good people. Now we actually have Muslims driving cabs.
While this could have been instigated by Muslims, it could be understandable to some hillbilly whose first substantial encounter with foreigners was with menacing Islamists. The thought may be that hey, both Muslims and these “weird folks” at the gas station both wear turbans... they have to be the same. Sikhs should get a higher profile and not hunker down at all. Many are not of Judeo-Christian heritage but they still tend to respect that heritage in America, while despising Islam.
Putting coonskins on top of their turbans might be a workable identification solution, if weird looking. Another one might be to pin an American flag there. They wind their turbans differently as well, I think, but that is more subtle.
I’d be interested to see what the spelling and grammar was like on the death threat letters, and whether it was written in the childish scrawl of a moron...
It pisses me off when dumbasses attack Sikhs.
Sikhs are one of the most honest, hard working, business and military oriented peoples around. They make profoundly good soldiers, and loyally serve whatever country they live in. For a long time, much of the Indian officer corps was Sikh, not Hindu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_Regiment
The Sikh Regiment was formed by the British in colonial India. It is one of the most decorated regiments in the world, fighting in World War I, World War II, and lots of other wars since.
They claim 14 Victoria Crosses and 21 Indian Orders of Merit (both of which are the equivalent to the US Medal of Honor), and a huge number of other citations.
Civilian Sikhs are usually middle or upper middle class professionals, politically conservative, socially polite, and it is quite rare for them to be involved with anything criminal. They have a strong sense of *real* honor, not the b.s. honor that Muslims profess.
Yes, they wear turbans and the men wear beards as part of their religion, and they also carry knives (often small and ceremonial, often large and functional).
And they *do not* tolerate Muslims behaving badly, or trying to oppress them. Probably the one thing that will really get their ire up is if somebody invades or tries to trash their temples.
This reminds me of #EFAD.
Look for a thin silver bracelet on their right wrist.
I think it is the right wrist.
Sikhs are cool. They say if you ever get lost in India, go to a Sikh for help!
Two thoughts:
1. Post the following very large sign in the front yard: “WE ARE SIKHS! GOOGLE IT AND LEARN SOMETHING, YOU MORONS!”
2. Start to carry concealed. Immediately after 9/11, there was a Sikh man shot dead at a gas station when he was mistaken for a Muslim because of his turban by some self-appointed but badly informed defender of America. Things have been better since then. But then you have this...stuff.
The Sikhs I have known were/are very decent, reasonable people. But God help you if you screw with them.
We had Sikhs in our old neighborhood. Two families, who walked in a slow and dignified manner past our house every evening in the warm months of the year.
As far as Sikhs being self reliant - you will probably never see a Sikh beggar. If Sikhs see another Sikh in such a situation it is either a) his lucky day -or- b) his worst Fing nightmare; because they WILL whip him back into shape - if he wants it OR NOT!
Also agree this is either some very stupid persons) or someone with a directive to misdirect attention...
Ignorance is curable, stupidity is not
Sikhs are very low profile and have faced terrible prejudice mostly from Islamist. One of there Ten Gurus, or founding Holy men, was captured and told to convert to Allah or die a painful death. He chose death. They have face the wrath of the “religion of peace” for centuries and know its true name. The more you know of this religion the more you respect them.
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