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Vahiguroo Jee Ka Khalsa, Vahiguroo Jee Kee Fateh

Guroo Pyario Humble Benti,

Please sign this Petition to Florida Governor Jeb Bush to Stop the Forcible Cutting of Sikh's Hair
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/petition_florida.asp

Guroo Anng Sang...

Sikhs protest against forced removal of prisoner's hair Mar 31, 2006, 19:02

In a massive campaign to safeguard the religious rights of a Sikh prisoner in the US, Sikh organisations worldwide have lodged their protest against the jail authorities' move to cut his hair against his will. The Sikh Coalition, a US-based organisation initiated the move, and a petition has been addressed to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, secretary department of corrections, James McDonough and deputy secretary of corrections, Laura Bedard, to stop federal authorities from forcibly cutting Satnam Singh's hair and removing his turban.

Satnam Singh (pictured) who is currently in a federal jail may have to face having his hair forcibly removed after he is transferred to the Florida State System Jail on April 9.

The Florida Administrative code notes, "Male inmates shall have their hair cut short to medium uniform length at all times." The section further states that "All inmates shall be clean-shaven, provided, however that an exemption from this requirement shall be granted on the basis of a medical diagnosis."

If an inmate refuses to adhere to these grooming standards, even for faith-based reasons, the officer in charge "shall direct staff to shave the inmate or cut the inmate's hair", the rules state.

As an adherent to the Sikh faith, Satnam Singh's most fundamental religious belief (rahat) is being violated by the Florida Administrative Code. Should he be forced to cut his hair and part with the most important aspect of his religious identity, this would be a large blow to Sikhs all over the world.

The petition and more details can be accessed at:

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/petition_florida.asp

Please ask your local Gurdwara and other organizations (both Sikh and non-Sikh) to co-sponsor this petition. To add an organization as a co-sponsor, we need the following information:

Name of the organization:
Address:
Contact Name:
Phone:
Email Address:
Fax:

Please return the information to:

The Sikh Coalition
P.O. Box 7132
New York, NY 10150-7132
Email: satnamsingh@sikhcoalition.org
Web: www.sikhcoalition.org

Time is of the essence on this matter. It is now critical that we act swiftly and launch this campaign without further delay as Satnam Singh is to be moved to the Florida prison on April 9, 2006.