Queries raised over Sikh temple in Kuwait

‘Company warehouse being misused’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 14: A group of Indian Sikhs have founded the ‘Sulaibiya Gurdwara’ (Sikh Temple) in Sulaibiya that is clearly visible on Google Maps and Google Earth, what is considered illegal, shocking and surprising, reports Al-Rai daily.

The temple, located off the Fifth Ring Road, is a place reserved for a company in the Sulaibiya residential area, and is proof of another violation of the sanctity of that residential area.

Freedom of belief is absolute. The State protects the freedom of religion in accordance with established customs, provided it does not conflict with public policy or morals.

The temple was founded nearly nine years ago and where thousands of Indians from the Sikh community practice their religious rituals, cook and distribute foods in clear violation of the Constitution, which states in its Article 35 that “Freedom of belief is absolute. The State protects the freedom of practicing religion in accordance with established customs, provided that it does not conflict with public policy or morals”, but the religions speak of the people of the Book – Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

This Sikh temple is a plot leased from state property as a warehouse for a company, and the owner does not have the right to lease it for use for anything other than its intended purpose. This opens the door for questions: Will this lead to a series of similar violations by other sects that might allow them to establish places of worship away from the eyes of the state, and how will the relevant government agencies act against the Sikh temple?