On June 18, The Times of India reported that 40 Indian construction workers were abducted by suspected ISIS militants in Mosul, Iraq. Many of these constructions workers are Sikhs. (Who Are the ISIS Militants - BBC Report - click here.)
"Around 40 Indians working on projects near the Iraqi city of Mosul were kidnapped by suspected ISIS militants when they were being evacuated from the area ravaged by the war between the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad and Sunni jihadis," the report said. (Click here for the news story.)
On June 19th, The Times of India did a follow-up story saying that the abducted construction workers in Iraq were promised freedom, and that they would be released shortly. However, to date that has not happened. (Click here for the news story.)
The Punjab Government has created a 24 x 7 civil control room, and has gathered information from Punjabi families about their relatives stranded in Iraq. (Click here for the news story.) The Punjab government has identified 52 people who they believe are included in this abduction. (Click here for news story.)
Since then, this story has been covered by many other news sources, including NPR. (Indians Caught in the Middle of Iraq's Worsening Crisis.)
Details about this situation are difficult to come by. It is unclear whether the Sikhs in Iraq are being held against their will, or whether the situation on the ground is just so dangerous that it is not possible for them to leave.
In either case, we are asking the world-wide Sikh community to pray for the safety of these Sikh and Indian construction workers - that they can return home to their families. We also pray for a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions in Iraq and Syria.
Chanting the Narayan Shabad by Guru Arjan Dev ji helps protect those in danger. Please consider chanting or listening to this Shabad, (or any Shabad of your choice) and sending your prayers to these workers and their families.
If anyone has more information about this situation, please let us know at [email protected].
