WASHINGTON: Sikh leaders in the US have declined an invitation to attend an inter-faith event during Pope Benedict's first visit to the country next month because they would not be allowed to carry their 'Kirpans' due to security reasons.

The US Secret Service insisted that Sikh leaders attending the meeting with Pope Benedict XVI would have to come without the ceremonial daggers as required by their faith, The Washington Post reported.

The inter-faith meeting is to be held at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre on April 17.

The World Sikh Council-America Region (WSC-AR) has expressed its deep disappointment that the Secret Service was not able to accommodate the Sikh faith.

"We have to respect the sanctity of the Kirpan, especially in such inter-religious gatherings. We cannot undermine the rights and freedoms of religion in the name of security. Pope John Paul II met Sikhs in the Vatican wearing their Kirpans," said Anahat Kaur, Secretary General of WSC-AR.

The report says that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops had asked the Secret Service to provide protection for the Papal visit.

"We feel very badly about this," said Mary Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the bishops' conference.

Times of india