Sikhs to protest in Parliament Square.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independen...ect-demo-2360749.html

Should the Sikhs be allowed the privilege of not to having their turbans hand searched at airports?

After all every male can be asked to remove his trousers if necessary, all in the name of security.

It seems though that tolerant Britain is once again taking the initiative by putting the rest of Europe's airport security right.

/// Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers said: "I fully recognise the cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding the touching of a Sikh's turban, which is why this Government acted swiftly when the Sikh community expressed concern about new EU rules on the searching of turbans at airports. ///

/// "I have also written to ministers across Europe with responsibility for aviation security to explain this trial and to underline the importance the UK attaches to resolving this issue."///

[Prof_P]

sandyRoe: fatwa is a Shia law principle mate, which if you haven't noticed is islamic.

[Prof_P]

Just to put this one across, i was in Rome only a few months back, a Sikh guy basically was refused entry by a priest to remove his 'hat' before entering the chapel for a smiliar reason as to what this discussion is about. I thought this was not only incredibly ignorant but distressing to my children as they were thinking do they have to take their skull caps off. we got in but the Sikh man didn't, which I felt disgusted about and had to leave and contact the consullate as he is one of my good friends but more than that ,a human being, that shouldnt have been treated such like in the first instance at all.
Where do you actually draw the line with who let in and who not to?? A very sad case and a sign of the times unfortunately (and sickeningly) folks

[237SJ]

In answer to the original question, yes, if someone is wearing a turban and they need a further security check then the turban should be removed. Airport walk-through x ray machines only show metal objects. They won`t show liquids, explosives, ceramic guns etc. If a turban can conceal those objects then they should be removed and examined. Having said that I can see why turban-wearers are objecting. West African women wear turban-like material wraps around their heads but I have never seen them take them off at security. Eventually when our airports get scatterback and millimeter wave machines (soon to be tested at Heathrow) then the turban situation will be purely academic anyway. In the mean time sikhs will just have put up with it (like the rest of us)

[trt]

If you live in the UK abide by the UK rules, if not P1SS off back to where you can do what you want!!!!!

[desiretoinspire1]

trt what an arse hole you r.

I guess you wouldn't be allowed to go back to where u came from - where ever that is???

[desiretoinspire1]

Unfortunately, it's really sad to hear sikhs being tarnished given their invaluable contribution to British life - such an honest and hard working community deserves a bit more respect.

U get good and bad in all walks of life - has our minority of paedo priests tarnished Christianity ... no certainly not.

With regard to previous negative comments - It's always good to have knowledge 1st then to pass comment 2nd.

My understanding of the sikhs situation is that they have no objection to a search but that this is undertaken respectfully. Sikhs do not face any issues in the major UK airports as we use a sophisticated swab sample method that detects the slightest trace of any suspect material and is a very accurate search method.

Unfortuantely the Italians aren't quite as knowledgeable as we are here and that is what the gathering was for on the weekend - to support discussions in Italy.

I like to think that our relationship with sikhs is one of mutual respect.