wfn.org | WSC-AR - UNESCO will hold back nomination of Siri Darbar Sahib

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UNESCO will hold back nomination of Siri Darbar Sahib for world heritage 
status; WSC-AR continues to call upon India to completely withdraw the 
nomination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 30, 2005

Contact:     Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General, World Sikh Council - 
America Region (WSC-AR), 614-210-0591, contact@worldsikhcouncil.org

The World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR) has been informed by 
UNESCO's World Heritage Centre that it will "hold back" the nomination of 
Siri Darbar Sahib for world heritage status consideration.

In a communication to WSC-AR, the World Heritage Centre wrote on May 30, 
2005, "In response to your concerns, the nomination of the Sri Harimandir 
Sahib [Siri Darbar Sahib] will not be taken up for consideration at the 
29th session of the World Heritage Committee (10-17 July 2005, Durban, 
South Africa), upon request of the State Party in its letter of 24 May 2005."

Following the May 30 communication from UNESCO, the WSC-AR further 
consulted via phone with the World Heritage Centre in Paris, France.

Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General of WSC-AR responded to UNESCO's 
communication, "We are relieved that this misleading and ill-fated 
nomination is being held back for now by UNESCO. However, the matter does 
not end here. This mischievous nomination and its accompanying dossier, 
which has serious flaws and is objected to by Sikhs around the world, must 
be withdrawn by the Government of India."

Dr. Anahat Kaur, Vice-Chairperson of WSC-AR added, "It seems that the 
Indian Government is still dragging its feet by not withdrawing the 
nomination completely. It must end this interference in the religious 
affairs of the Sikhs. This misadventure has to end."

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Member Gurdwaras of WSC-AR:
1. Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA
2. Guru Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA
3. Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North Hollywood, CA
4. Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA
5. Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver, CO
6. Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta, GA
7. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
8. Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL
9. Sikh Society of South, New Orleans, LA
10. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills, MI
11. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI
12. Guru Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS
13. Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
14. Garden State Sikh Association, Bridgewater, NJ
15. Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Delaware Valley, Sewell, NJ
16. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
17. Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, Lawrenceville, NJ
18. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills, NY
19. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo, NY
20. Sikh Religious Society of Dayton, Dayton, OH
21. Guru Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH
22. Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH
23. Guru Nanak Religious Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH
24. Tristate Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA
25. Mid South Sikh Sabha, Memphis, TN
26. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX
27. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX
28. Sikh Gurdwara of North Texas, Garland, TX
29. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax, VA
30. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, VA
31. Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI

Other Sikh Institution Members of WSC-AR:
1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim, CA
2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS
3. Sikh Youth Federation of North America, White Plains, NY
4. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin, OH
5. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH
6. Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX

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World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR)
P.O. Box 3635, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
Phone: 614-210-0591, Fax: 419-535-6794
E-mail: contact@worldsikhcouncil.org
Website: www.worldsikhcouncil.org

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