University of Birmingham Apologizes For Confusing Sikh Event With Islamic Awareness Week

The University of Birmingham has apologised after it removed a social media post that seemed to confuse Sikh students with Muslims.

According to a report in The Birmingham Mail’, the university post implied that a 20-year-old “Langar on Campus” event organised by the university’s Sikh Society earlier this month was part of an Islamic Awareness Week.

An Instagram account of the university tagged the free meals event inspired by the Sikh concept of langar in a post with the text “Discover Islam Week”.

“It is disappointing but very revealing to see those in charge of the public image of the University of Birmingham (UoB) are ignorant regarding the communities at the university,” said Jasveer Singh, spokesperson of the Sikh Press Association (PA) which highlighted the error on their social media platforms.

Social media error

“There is clearly an issue with the training and education given to UoB staff. Sikhs have been a prominent segment of the University of Birmingham community for decades,” he said.

Several people took to social media to comment on the error, with remarks such as “shocking” and “unbelievable”.

“The university sincerely apologises for any offence or upset this has caused,” a UoB spokesperson said.