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NRI Dr. Ami Bera, US House of Representatives a U.S. Bringing NRI Community together

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Let Sikhs play with turbans, US lawmakers tell basketball league

Washington, July 31, 2015:  As many as 39 US lawmakers have asked the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to change a policy requiring Sikhs and other players to remove their articles of faith, such as turbans, in international competition.

The call was reiterated in a letter sent on Thursday by the lawmakers led by Ami Bera, the only Indian-American member of Congress, and Joe Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus.

The Congress members also requested an update on FIBA's review of the policy and on the status of the organization's two-year testing phase announced last autumn.

Last summer, Bera and Crowley led 22 members of Congress in a letter to FIBA's president urging the board to end its discriminatory policy against Sikh basketball players who wear turbans, an important article of faith.

The letter followed an outcry over an incident involving two Sikh players who were told by referees that they must remove their turbans if they were to play in FIBA's Asia Cup.

The players, who have always played in turbans, were told that they were in violation of one of FIBA's official rules, which states, "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players".

In response to the members' letter and strong public pressure, FIBA announced that it would review the issue and begin a two-year testing phase that would allow players to wear head coverings starting in summer 2015, with an ultimate eye toward a final decision after the 2016 Olympics.

However, despite FIBA's promises about action this summer, to date, there has been no update on the status of the testing phase, the lawmakers said.

"We have seen time and again that sports have the power to unite - basketball included. The sport has gained in international stature in recent decades and is increasingly popular in countries where the use of a turban is commonplace," the lawmakers wrote.

"We urge you to amend your policies to ensure that people all around the world have an equal opportunity to play the game," they wrote…….IANS

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NRI Sikh Darsh Singh, Texas- first Turbaned Sikh American basketball player to play in NCAA

2008-2012:

NRI Darsh Singh has become the first Turbaned Sikh American basketball player to play in NCAA. He played at Trinity University for all four years of his college career and was the team's co-captain.

Darsh Singh's jersey is being displayed in Smithsonian Institute, world's largest museum in Washington D.C….See above Photo

His appearance made some people suspect him of being involved in terrorism.  But Darsh doesn’t let it get to him.  He says those very prejudices helped to solidify his faith and make him the person he is today.  His statement involves one of his firmest beliefs: “If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, don’t do it.” 

“I had always support from my teammates and coaches,” said Singh. “It was always just very interesting to see my teammates’ reactions. Sometimes they were so offended on my behalf, because they just couldn’t understand why people would say certain things to me when they didn’t even know me.”

Even he is US Citizen, says he's always had to prove that he belongs — with his turban. He’s shown birth certificates at basketball tournaments and petitioned the NCAA to let him play with what they called "headgear." At games, people shouted at him to cut his hair or go back to 'his country.'"

Darsh also involves himself in numerous groups and organizations.  He was not only a basketball player for the Tigers, but he was also a resident mentor and an active member of TUVAC.  Darsh also was selected as a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges recipient.

Singh is still the only turban-wearing Sikh American to have played NCAA basketball.

The Sikh faith, which is around 500 years old, has more than 23 million followers, faithfully believes in One Immortal Being, always protect others, encourages self-defense, it pointedly teaches not to seek revenge or retribution, and teaches observers to be free of hatred…..but it remains a mystery to some Westerners. 

FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 215 National Federations of basketball throughout the world.

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NRI Dr. Ami Bera, US House of Representatives a U.S. Bringing NRI Community together

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Sep 18, 2014/AMI BERA……..In The News/  by Jagran Post News Desk - POST

US lawmakers disappointed over FIBA decision on Sikh players

"We are deeply disappointed with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). It shouldn't take two years to make what should be a simple decision to eliminate a discriminatory practice," Congressman Joe Crowley and Ami Bera said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

      The two Democratic lawmakers said there is no evidence that turbans or religious headgear pose a threat to players, and it's time for FIBA to do what the rest of the sporting world is doing and let Sikhs play.

      "Rest assured, we will continue to closely monitor FIBA's continued actions to ensure they ultimately make the right decision," they said after FIBA announced its governing board's decision.

      In the announcement, FIBA also said it will wait until 2016 to make a permanent decision about religious accommodations.

      Crowley is Co-Chair of the India Caucus in the US House of Representatives while Bera is the only Indian-American in the House of Representatives.

      Last month, both led dozens of Members of Congress in a letter to FIBA's president urging the board to update its policies to stop requiring Sikhs to remove their turbans during basketball games.

      The letter followed an outcry over an incident involving two Sikh players who were told by referees that they must remove their turbans if they were to play in FIBA's Asia Cup.

      The players, who have always played in turbans, were told that they were in violation of one of FIBA's official rules, which states, "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players."

      However, other sports leagues, such as Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), allow athletes wearing turbans to participate

The incident involving the two Sikh players has led many to speak out against the FIBA's policy, and sparked a social media campaign using the hashtag #LetSikhsPlay.

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AMI BERA……..Aug 20, 2014     In The News/ by Lisa De Bode - Aljazeera America

Sikh basketball players gain congressional support to lift ban on turbans

Two U.S. congressmen launched a campaign urging the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to reconsider its policy after two Sikh players were asked to remove their turbans during an international basketball game last month.

In a letter sent on Tuesday to FIBA President Yvan Mainini, Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., and Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., called the policy "discriminatory" and said the turban "is essential to their faith."

The move comes after India's Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh were asked to remove their turbans at the July FIBA Asia Cup tournament in Wuhan, China. Sikhs keep their hair in a natural, uncut state under their turbans.

Referees said the players were violating Article 4.4.2 of FIBA’s official rules: “Players shall not wear equipment [objects] that may cause injury to other players.”

Both players removed their turbans, tied back their hair with headbands and returned to play. The Indian team lost to Japan by 23 points.

Fans responded to the turban ruling on social media, with the hashtag #LetSikhsPlay tweeted thousands of times. The congressmen echoed many of those sentiments in their letter to FIBA.

"We are concerned about recent reports indicating that Sikhs are not able to participate in International Basketball Federation [FIBA] games while wearing a turban, which is essential to their faith, and ask you to change this discriminatory policy," the letter said. "Basketball is a beloved team sport that has the ability to bring people of all backgrounds together, regardless of history, culture, language, and religion."

The letter added, "There is no evidence showing that a turban has been dangerous during basketball games," and pointed out that the world’s governing body for soccer, FIFA, permits athletes to wear turbans on the field.

Crowley and Bera said they have the backing of two dozen other members of Congress. The lawmakers hope the Switzerland-based FIBA will change the policy when its board meets at the end of August.

FIBA’s ban on headgear has also prevented some Muslim players from entering international competitions.

Bilqis Abdul-Qadeer, who wears a hijab head covering, was barred from competing overseas because the organization had stated that headscarves violated their dress code and possibly interfered with players' ability to play safely.

The Council on American-Islamic relations (CAIR) has made repeated requests to FIBA to change its rule.

"No athlete should be forced to choose between faith and sport. Muslim women seek[ing] to participate in sporting activities should not face artificial and arbitrary barriers to that participation," CAIR said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Crowley, along with New Jersey Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, also appealed to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel urging the Pentagon to allow Sikh Americans who serve in the U.S. military to be permitted to wear a turban or beard.

In January, the Pentagon gave in to repeated calls from the Sikh community to loosen restrictions that prevented many from enlisting, but advocates said the changes did not go far enough. Under the new policy, the U.S. military accommodates religious requests of service members, but the evaluation factors are open to interpretation and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The factors include the "safe and effective" operation of weapons, missions and protective gear, such as gas masks and helmets – conditions which critics say place the well-being of the Sikh community in the outcome of ad-hoc decisions

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Rep. Bera statement on November 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India

Ami's Updates ////  Jun 29, 2015/

Over the past year, in the memory of thousands of Sikhs who lost their lives and property in the November 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India, many Sikh Americans have called for those responsible, as well as complicit in this horrible event, to be brought to justice. I agree.

In the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, thousands of innocent Sikhs lost their lives and property. These events and the loss of lives in the Sikh community are facts that are indisputable.

Members of the Sikh American community have expressed concern that some of the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. All individuals, including the members of the Indian government that was in place in 1984, who were directly involved in the loss of life or property, or if they were complicit in allowing those atrocities to take place, should be condemned and brought to justice.

 Lastly, I’m glad that the Modi Administration has taken steps to try and help the families that lost lives and property find some closure. Nothing can truly compensate for the loss of life. However, it's up to the government to work with victims and their families to find a path to moving forward.  I encourage the Modi Administration to take steps to avoid a similar tragedy in the future.  And as a member of the United States House of Representatives, I will continue to focus on the issues of fairness and injustice that face the broad and diverse Indian-American diaspora. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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