IT IS TIME FOR ACTION BY MUSLIM LEADERS

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

It is time for action by Muslim leaders

I write in response to Suleman Nagdi's First Person article ("Religion can't be defence for brutal killings", May 24).

My response is not that of a politician, religious expert or supporter of any right-wing organisation. My response is that of a working class man appalled by the atrocity committed in Woolwich.

I support Mr Nagdi's response and the sentiments contained. I have no doubt Mr Nagdi's intentions are noble and that he wishes for peace and, as he puts it, that "the forces of hatred do not prevail".

Unfortunately, his sentiments are, I fear, not enough.

Until the attacks in London on July 7, 2005, the perceived threat to this country was from terrorists from outside the UK.

Since then, there has been a catalogue of arrests of individuals born and raised in the UK.

Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali were jailed in April for plotting terrorist bomb attacks.

Next month, six men will be sentenced for preparing acts of terrorism. Richard Dart, Jahangir Alom and Imran Mahmood are also awaiting sentencing for terror-related offences. All were born in the UK.

Mr Nagdi calls for "solidarity" and states Muslims "have been distressed by the fact they are being made to defend themselves".

I agree the actions of a small minority should not influence the majority and the residents of this country should be able to live in peace.

However, what Mr Nagdi has failed to address is the fear and distress many people in this country have as a result of the events and arrests I have referred to.

Muslim leaders need to show positive action to demonstrate they are doing all they can to combat the extremists that use the name of Allah.

I have seen no evidence of positive, tangible action by Muslim leaders.

Community work, recognition of diversity and inter-faith groups are noble and praiseworthy, but what of the people not included in these?

What of the ordinary people who are afraid?

For every Stephen Lennon there is an Anjem Choudary, for every Nick Clegg an Abu Qatada and for every terrorist there is a right-wing fanatic.

I encourage Mr Nagdi to show those in fear they have nothing to fear and those who doubt Islam that their doubts are unfounded.

In an article published by the BBC, Dr Usama Hasan said: "In our times, we need non-violent jihads; social struggles against all forms of inequality and oppression, and for justice and liberation."

Perhaps now is the time for Mr Nagdi and other Muslim leaders to embark upon their own non-violent jihad against those Muslims who use their faith to justify the murder of innocent people.

David Gibbs, Scraptoft

TURBANOLOGY: RECLAIMING THE TURBAN'S RELEVANCE

Interesting article in today's SocietyGuardian about a new exhibition exploring the significance of the turban for Sikhs. I must make time to go and see this exhibition myself - it sound tremendous!

Reclaiming the turban's relevance 

By Safraz Manzoor 

British Sikhs' religion requires them to leave their hair uncut, and the turban is the most popular way for men to encase this long hair. But the turban has increasingly come to be associated with violent Islamic jihadism because members of the Taliban in Afghanistan wear turbans, as have some British Muslim terrorists in their suicide videos.

A new exhibition, Turbanology: Sikhs Unwrapped, which opens in Birmingham on Friday, is seeking to raise awareness about the true history of the turban and its significance for Sikhs. In addition to specially commissioned films and talks, the exhibition hopes to provide knowledge and perspective on the turban's spiritual importance and will provide hands-on demonstrations on how a turban is tied. Exhibition director Jay Singh-Sohal hopes that the exhibition will counter negative preconceptions of the turban.

"A survey for the exhibition suggests that 33% of turban-wearing Sikhs have received verbal abuse and a further 14% have faced racial discrimination because of their turban," he says.

Sikhs and their turbans have been in Britain since the 1860s and have historically been associated with bravery, loyalty and acts of courage as they fought for Britain during two world wars, and all over the empire. Their turban was representative of their identity and protection. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, however, Sikhs came under attack from people who assumed their turbans meant they were Muslim radicals.

Singh-Sohal wants the exhibition to challenge this assumption that the turban represents something to fear. "The aim of the exhibition is to tackle these preconceptions in a fresh and fun way by focusing on the aesthetic, the symbolism of the turban and the things that British Sikhs have done to earn their place as respected members of our society," he explains.

The exhibition will travel to Derby, Slough and Leeds and at each location schools will be invited to participate so that young people can learn about the history and relevance of the turban.

In Britain, according to Singh-Sohal, the turban is seeing a revival among young British Sikhs who are finding new ways to wear their hair long. In India, however, the turban is in decline as more Sikhs cut their hair in order to fit in or to get jobs and avoid abuse. "All too often it is those Sikhs that come to Britain from India who cut their hair in order to be more western," says Singh-Sohal, "despite the fact that wearing the turban is protected by law in the UK."

Turbanology will be reminding visitors of the journey that British Sikhs have taken to ensure that the turban is accepted. Singh-Sohal says: "It will show it has an exciting future ahead as well as an illustrious history."

Turbanology opens at the Nishkam Civic Association, Birmingham on 10 June. Tour details at www.turbanology.info

In the photo above: Young Sikh boys wearing traditional dress and turbans for the Sikh new year festival of Vaisakhi (photograph: Jaskirt Dhaliwal)

Read this article, along with reader comments (and the opportunity to leave your own) on the Guardian Society off diary website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jun/07/turban-exhibition-sikh-history?INTCMP=SRCH