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20th November 2006

Prayer vigil call for unity after Asian boy attacked

Religious leaders last night called for calm as hundreds of people gathered for a prayer vigil at the site of a racist attack on an Asian teenager.

Sikhs from across Britain were joined by members of other religious communities at the spot in Edinburgh where the 15-year-old was assaulted.

The teenager was attacked in Pilrig Park last Tuesday by four white youths, who subjected him to a tirade of abuse before kicking and punching him to the ground.

His bandana-style head covering, worn in accordance with his faith, was torn off and his hair, which Sikh men pledge never to cut, was shorn.

Rab Singh, the vice-president of Leith's Sikh temple, said yesterday's vigil was intended to send out a strong message of peace and religious unity.

The gathered throng marched from the Mill Lane temple to Pilrig Park waving banners and chanting in Punjabi "the lord is wonderful, his name is true".

During the two-hour event, candles were lit as a host of religious leaders and organisation representatives offered prayers and sympathy to the teenager's family, and called for interfaith unity and dialogue to counter the violence of the attack.

Mr Singh added: "The community in Leith is a well-integrated one, and hopefully this is a one-off case."

Though some community members claim the victim is still extremely shaken and may need counselling, Mr Singh said the boy was recovering well.

"I've spent time with the boy's family, and he is very shocked," he said. "But he was at the temple this morning and he will be all right." The community has been working closely with police over the incident, he added.

It is understood that police, who last week launched a dedicated text and email appeal for witnesses, as well as working with schools in the area, have identified a number of suspects and are currently gathering evidence.

Chief Inspector Keith Chamberlain said: "This was an exceptionally serious incident and will not be tolerated. We are very confident of getting a positive outcome on this case."

The Rev Professor Frank Whaling, president of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, said: "We are glad to be giving support to the Sikh community today.

"We want to pass on our thoughts, prayers and sympathies to the boy and his family."

Malcolm Chisholm, communities minister and Leith MSP, and the Edinburgh City Council leader, Ewan Aitken, also attended the event.

Symbol of Sikh Faith

Sikhs regard their hair - known as Kes - as one of the five Kakaars, which shield and protect their spirituality. In 1699, religious followers were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the ten gurus of Sikhism, to wear their hair long and uncut, as a visible symbol of their faith.

Sikh men tie their hair in a Rishi knot. The turban, or head covering, is worn to keep the hair clean, as cleanliness is considered next to godliness.

Source: The Scosman