I WRITE regarding the story ‘Sikhs find a new place of worship’ (Oxford Mail, July 2).

The story conveyed a misleading impression that the problem of finding a place of worship for the Oxford Sikhs has been resolved. We are writing this letter with the hope of clarifying the situation for you.

The Oxford Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (OSGSSG) was registered as a charity in 2000. It was set up to represent those Sikhs who have been living and worshipping in Oxford for more than 40 years.

It is the only democratically constituted organisation of the Oxford Sikhs, with its office bearers duly elected annually.

As the Mail correctly reported in the article, the OSGSSG had been ordered to cease worship at the premises 69 Cherwell Drive, Marston, and this order has been adhered to.

The work of the OSGSSG has, however, continued unabated. The OSGSSG is still the owner of the property.

Once the closure order was issued, the OSGSSG quickly secured St Nicholas Primary School in Raymond Road, Marston, as an alternative centre for the community.

This has allowed the Sikh community to continue with its Sunday prayers in an uninterrupted manner.

The OSGSSG continues to work closely with the local council in a renewed effort to find suitable permanent premises within Oxford.

The Guru Manayo Granth Sikh Centre (GMGSC) is an independent organisation and its activities are completely separate from those of the OSGSSG. Therefore, it has no mandate to make claims on behalf of the Oxford Sikh community which is democratically represented solely by OSGSSG.

In addition, the OSGSSG has begun an appeal campaign on the Sikh Channel (Sky channel 840) and with UK gurdwaras to raise additional funds for a site.

In the interim, it continues to provide the Sikh community with updates on the situation and a place to continue practising their faith.

The OSGSSG has no working relationship with the GMGSC and was worried that the story would only add confusion to the current situation and act to undermine the efforts of the OSGSSG.

The activities of the OSGSSG, or the current situation at 69 Cherwell Drive, should not be connected to the activities of any organisation not related to the OSGSSG.

PARAMJIT KAUR (President) and Balwinder Kaur (Secretary), OSGSSG Committee, Cherwell Drive, Marston, Oxford