HOME OFFICE REGULATIONS LEAVE HINDU FAITH WITH TREMENDOUS DIFFICULTIES - TEATHER

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 13th Jan 2005

Sarah Teather outside the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Willesden Lane

Brent East MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for London Sarah Teather has today written to Home Office Minister Des Browne MP, seeking clarification on new regulations introduced by the Home Office with regards Ministers of Religion.

The Home Office introduced new rules on 31st August 2004 requiring Ministers of Religion to provide a valid IELTS certificate to demonstrate competence in spoken English to level 4 to be eligible for entry clearance.

The new requirement has adversely affected the running of many Hindu Temples across the UK. A Poojari does not preach in the temple but is required to attend the Gods in accordance with the central tenants of the Hindu religion. The rites which a Poojari has to fulfil require knowledge of the Hindu texts in Sanskrit, and a knowledge of Gujurati and Hindi for sung worship. A poorjari does not need to speak English to a level four standard to perform the crucial aspects of his role. Poojari's must be trained in India, particularly to gain knowledge of Sanskrit. The new regulations have caused particular problems for the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Willesden Lane.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for London Sarah Teather MP said:

"I am concerned that the current rules relating to Ministers of Religion appear to have been drafted from a Judeo-Christian perspective. The implications for Hinduism appears to have been overlooked and this policy betrays a lack of understanding of the role of a Poojari. There is a severe risk that this regulation will eventually make it impossible for Hindu Temples to recruit appropriately qualified personnel."

The Brent East MP will also be tabling a Early Day Motion in the House of Commons which reads:

"That this House notes with concern the implications for Hindu Temples of the new Home Office immigration rules affecting Ministers of Religion effective from 31 August 2004, which requires all such Ministers to demonstrate fluency in the English language to level 4; notes that this

hampers the recruitment of Poorjaries, in particular, whose roles are highly specialised and who are trained in India; notes that the role of a Poojari is to perform the daily rites for the Hindu gods in the Temple and Arti, which involve caring for the gods on a daily basis with prayers and meditation; notes that these daily rites are central to the Hindu religion; notes that the role of a Poojari does not involve preaching to the congregation and that this role is generally performed by Swarmis, Sadhus or Hindu preachers, who have knowledge of English; further notes that the Poojari's job requires knowledge of the Hindu texts written in Sanskrit and knowledge of Gujarati and Hindi for sung worship, but not English; and regrets that the Home Office would appear to have introduced regulations based on a Judeo-Christian model of worship without considering the implications for other faiths, and calls upon the Home Office to amend its regulations to provide an exception to Poojaries because they do not preach."