June 28, 2005

Slough of despond . . .

by

In England, “A Sikh couple had to abandon their wedding when a group of protesters raided the Slough hotel where the event was being held and seized a holy book,” reports a BBC News wire story. The report says a “40-strong group” of Sikh protestors “wrestled the Guru Granth Sahib book from the priest and took it to a nearby temple.” It was the second time the protestors had broken up a wedding to perform what they call a “confiscation.” They say the book, “the most holy book of the Sikh religion,” “should not have been taken out of a temple, and to take it near alcohol and cigarettes was disrespectful.” A rep for the local police station says, “Our community and race relations officers will be working hard in Slough in the next week or so.”

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.

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