KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus is shrinking to its lowest levels. At a press conference last month, President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, said that members of the Afghan Sikh and Hindu community will return once peace is restored. “We are committed and responsible for their (Sikhs and Hindus) mental and personal security.”. It is not clear what kind of security measures are being discussed, nor when they might be seen on the ground. Hamdard said seven relatives of his, including his sister, nephews, and son-in-law were killed by Islamic State gunmen in an attack on the community’s temple in March, which killed 25 Sikhs. You Will Never Have To Scrub A Toilet Again If You Try This New Toilet Cleaner, How This Device Fixes Your Slow WiFi In 4.2 Minutes. He said the last three years have been the worst period for all Afghans, but especially so for Sikhs and Hindus.

(AP Photo/Tamana Sarwary, File), Jefferson City Alzheimer's Awareness Day is Tuesday. The community leader spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the negotiations with the media. “It’s hard to leave our birthplace but we have no other option,” said Hamdard. Hamdard said that fleeing his homeland is as difficult as leaving a mother behind. Commenting is not currently available, but don’t worry! They were the second batch since March, with the first 11 members arriving in India in July.

Although Sikhism and Hinduism are two distinct religions with their own holy books and temples, the communities are interwoven in Afghanistan, having been driven into a kinship by their tiny size, and they both gather under one roof or a single temple to worship, each following their own faith. Hamdard said seven relatives of his, including his sister, nephews, and son-in-law were killed by Islamic State gunmen in an attack on the community's temple in March, which killed 25 Sikhs. Ranchi.

But, without what they say is adequate protection from the government, the attacks by the Islamic State group may complete the exodus. Hindu temples in Kabul’s old city were destroyed during brutal fighting between rival warlords from 1992-96. “Afghanistan does not want us anymore.”. Delhi, Mumbai, Khalsa said that a group of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus in Canada and European countries has volunteered to sponsor the exodus of those remaining in Kabul who cannot afford air tickets and temporary accommodation in a transit country.

Under Taliban rule in the late 1990s, Sikhs and Hindus were asked to identify themselves by wearing yellow armbands, but after a global outcry, the rule was not enforced. Afghanistan’s dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus is shrinking to its lowest levels. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus is shrinking to its lowest levels. “Afghanistan does not want us anymore.”. Afghanistan’s government in 2010 decided to dedicate a chair in the national assembly to religious minorities, and there have since been two Sikh representatives. Hindu temples in Kabul’s old city were destroyed during brutal fighting between rival warlords from 1992-96. Leeds United's pursuit of Man Utd's Daniel James takes twist amid target's 'failed medical' as new name enters frame, Organised crime in UK exploiting coronavirus loan scheme, NCA warns, The sectors most at risk of cyber attacks, Everything You Need To Know About How To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore Fast, Rolls-Royce concludes ground testing for world’s fastest electric aeroplane, Antigua and Barbuda wants remote workers to come and do their jobs from its beaches, You Can Buy Orange Chocolate Cornettos From Morrisons, Susie Dent 'gutted' after new book Word Perfect printed with host of typos, Mock The Week's Dara O’Briain Takes On Criticism Of Show For Being 'Too Left-Wing', Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020: The brands donating - and how you can support, Said Benrahma and the gift and curse of a ‘luxury’ player, Woman's odd headache was from tapeworm larvae in her brain, You can stay in a dreamy Chocolate Orange-themed hotel room in France, KFC-Flavoured LAYS Crisps Are The ULTIMATE Holiday Crisp, Heathrow Terminal 2 evacuated as police descend on scene to investigate suspicious item, 36 best movies to watch on Netflix this week, Ashley Roberts struggles with umbrella as she's caught in downpour, Europa League draw LIVE: Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester, Celtic and Rangers learn group stage opponents, Norway's Equinor to axe 30% of exploration staff amid oil slump, Best Chromebooks 2020: our pick of the best cheap Chrome OS laptops, London Marathon: Tips on how to recover, according to running experts, Best destinations offering visas for remote workers including Caribbean islands, Stop What You Are Doing!

Also driving the exodus is the inability to reclaim Sikh homes, businesses and houses of worship that were illegally seized years ago. Community leaders have slammed recent governments for failing to step up security in the face of the IS threat.

Khalsa said that a group of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus in Canada and European countries has volunteered to sponsor the exodus of those remaining in Kabul who cannot afford air tickets and temporary accommodation in a transit country. Kolkata, Noida, Gurgaon, With growing threats from the local Islamic State affiliate, many are choosing to leave the country of their birth to escape the insecurity and a once-thriving community of as many as 250,000 members now counts fewer than 700. He said the last three years have been the worst period for all Afghans, but especially so for Sikhs and Hindus. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Bizarre coronavirus treatments Donald Trump recommended as he catches it himself, How London Film Festival conveys the excitement of cinema virtually in 2020. Several Canadian legislators have asked the country’s immigration ministry for a special program for Afghan Sikh and Hindu refugees, requesting that they be brought to safety in Canada amid the increasing security threat. The community leader spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the negotiations with the media. But Khalsa called these posts “symbolic”. Community leaders have slammed recent governments for failing to step up security in the face of the IS threat. Still, he joined a group of Sikhs and Hindus who left Afghanistan last month for India, from where they will eventually move on to a third country. The best face oils: Should you be using one? Also driving the exodus is the inability to reclaim Sikh homes, businesses and houses of worship that were illegally seized years ago. Faith, civil leaders warn about deception from Amendment... Missouri attorney general supports Trump's Supreme Court nomination, Copyright, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions. Still, he joined a group of Sikhs and Hindus who left Afghanistan last month for India, from where they will eventually move on to a third country. Hamdard said seven relatives of his, including his sister, nephews, and son-in-law were killed by Islamic State gunmen in an attack on the community’s temple in March, which killed 25 Sikhs. For Afghan Sikhs, the thought of being uprooted is painful, despite the circumstances. Watch for updates on the Microsoft News Blog. It is not clear what kind of security measures are being discussed, nor when they might be seen on the ground. The community has suffered widespread discrimination in the conservative Muslim country, with each government “threatening us their own way,” said Hamdard, whose home was seized by warlords after the U.S. invasion in 2001, forcing him to live in one of two Sikh temples in the Afghan capital of Kabul.