Rastas and religious liberty THE EDITOR, Sir: IF I were never before now supportive of Public Defender Howard Hamilton's campaign to have Rastafarianism officially recognised as a religion in Jamaica, the recent unfortunate incident at Munro College where the school delayed the admittance of a Rastafarian because of the student's hairstyle would have certainly caused me to become an adherent of Mr. Hamilton's cause. As Rastafarianism has not yet officially obtained religion status under Jamaican law, Rastas in Jamaica may and will therefore continue to be denied or deprived of the right to freely practise such a belief as provided for under Section 21 of the Jamaica Constitution. Even though Jamaica was founded on Christian principles and, generally speaking, still largely adheres to these principles, the Constitution does provide for the freedom of Jamaicans to practise or manifest the religious beliefs of their own choosing. If other non-Christian sects, such as the Muslims, the Mormons, the Hindus, the Jews, and the like can freely practise their own religions in Jamaica, why not the Rastafarians? Given the failure or refusal of some quarters of the Jamaican society to extend the same non-discriminatory treatment to members of the Rastafarian faith, the government should proceed without undue delay to officially recognise Rastafarianism as a religion under Jamaican law. This recent despicable act by an institution such as Munro College should afford Mr. Hamilton the further impetus to take his cause to Gordon House before too long. It is far time that our Jamaican people who choose to embrace Rastafarian-ism obtain full religious liberty. I am etc KEVIN K.O. SANGSTER ksangste@astro.temple.edu Elkins Park Pennsylvania Via Go-Jamaica
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