SAHRA Offers Financial assistance for TALIBAN affected refugees

 Taliban controlled Pakistani provincial government of FATA has forced minority non-Muslims to leave by demolishing their homes on non-payment of "Jazia" (Islamic Taxation on non-Muslims in Islamic state).

The affected families now Number to 150 and have escaped to other parts of Pakistan,a large number o of them are in Punja sahib Sikh temple..

Condemning these actions by the Taliban, Roger Nair, Chair-person of SAHRA (South Asians for Human Rights Assoc.) states, "Such draconian taxes and laws such as Jazia and Blasphemy were not acceptable then (Jazia levied in 8h century AD) and are certainly not acceptable today. This is a clear violation of several rights under UN charter on Human Rights; and Canadians, known for their human rights advocacy, are certainly not going to be silent on this issue.

Going a step further SAHRA is offering the Government of Canada, assistance sponsorship to Canada for the families practicing any minority religion whose homes were auctioned or destroyed under the Jazia Tax where the following organizations will offer financial assistance under the assistance program for refugees if accepted: Siromani Akali Dal of Canada, President Kehar Singh Gill says, "We are ready and willing to sponsor any number of families identified by SAHRA."

North American Sikh League Secretary, Mahinder Singh Dhillon states, "We support the sponsorship of these families as refugees in Canada and will provide financial support to any efforts made by SAHRA."

North York Sikh Temple President, Gurdev Sigh Mann states, "NYSG temple will provide the food and shelter for the displaced refugees on arrival to Canada."

New Immigrant Development Center Chairman and prominent immigration Toronto lawyer, Shan Padda states, "It is a commendable effort by SAHRA and we will provide full support for the settlement of these displaced families on their arrival in Canada."

International Christian Voice Canada, Peter Bhatti, "According to founder of Pakistan Qaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the minorities are free to live according to their own religion, so Government of Pakistan should take concrete steps to protect the lives and properties of Sikhs and other religious minorities of Pakistan." This incident is followed by similar incidents in Karachi where Taliban has asked non-muslims including Christians, Hindus and Sikhs to either leave their homes or convert to Islam and have fired upon them killing three," informs Peter Bhatti.

In an email recieved by SAHRA, Shahbaz Bhatti, the Hon. Federal Minister for Minorities in Pakistan states that he still had no confirmation about the incident, but if the Taliban had had actually done this, they tarnished the image of Islam. He said according to the media reports, Sikhs had been forced to pay 20 million rupees as Jazia.

Community Action Centre Chariman Rev. Mario Varano states, "We will provide settlement assistance for displaced refugees and we commend the initiative of SAHRA."

SAHRA urges and encourages the Government of Canada to take stern action and a stand on this issue, since Canada has always been a leader in the promotion and implementation of human rights around the world.

SAHRA's website