Sikhism's quest for recognition in Belgium

 According to LA Croix “ In early April, Belgium's Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt revealed that Sikhs had sought official recognition of their religion, and comes at a time when a similar plea for Buddhism is under consideration. Belgium officially recognizes six religious denominations Catholicism, Judaism, Anglicanism, Protestant-Evangelicalism, Islam, Orthodoxy -- along with one philosophical belief -- liberal-humanism. Currently, there are more than 10,000 Sikhs in Belgium, and Sikhs have played a role in Belgian history for years, fighting as part of the British troops in Belgium during World War I.

Sikhism, established in the 15th century in the Punjab region of northwest India, bordering Pakistan, is a religion followed by Sikhs, meaning “disciple” in Punjabi. Sikhs believe in an eternal, creator God, who is both immanent and transcendent. The faith promotes an honest life, eschewing the consumption of meat, alcohol, and tobacco. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539), followed by nine other Gurus. Following the death of the tenth Guru in 1708, the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, was designated as the eternal Guru. 

As the fifth-largest religion globally, Sikhism boasts 30 million followers, primarily in Punjab, where it surpasses Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Sikhs assert their faith's distinctiveness from Hinduism, although some Western scholars view it as an offshoot of Hinduism with potential Islamic influences through historical interactions with the Mughal Empire that dominated India in the 16th century.

A significant evolution of Sikhism occurred under the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, who added a temporal authority to his spiritual leadership, challenging the Mughal Empire. This political endeavor eventually led to the foundation of an independent state in 1799, later annexed by the colonial British in 1894. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final Guru, established the Khalsa, a warrior order, selecting its first members from disciples willing to sacrifice themselves.

Contemporary Sikhs, by joining the Khalsa, adhere to distinctive practices and the markers of Sikh identity, known as the "Five Ks," including uncut hair (kesh) covered by a specific type of turban, and a beard; a wooden comb (kangha)  for the hair; a bracelet (kara); an undergarment (kachera), and a small curved sword or knife (kirpan). Many Sikh men adopt the name "Singh," meaning "lion," as seen in former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while women often carry the name "Kaur," meaning "princess," like Canadian poet Rupi Kaur.

Since the 1970s, a faction of Sikhs in India has been pushing for the establishment of a theocratic state. This culminated in the tragic 1984 event where hundreds were killed in the Golden Temple by the Indian army, which then led to the retaliatory assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards.

First sikh woman appointed Warwickshire's High Sheriff

 

According to Leamington Observer “ WARWICKSHIRE has a new high sheriff.

Rajvinder Kaur Gill is the first Sikh woman in the UK to ever hold the office.

She took over from Sophie Hilleary at a ceremony held in the former courthouse at The Old Shire Hall in Warwick.

The office of high sheriff is one of only two royal appointments in the county and has existed since Saxon times. Historically, the sheriff was responsible for raising troops, collecting taxes and catching criminals, all of which powers have over time been taken on by others.

---

---

Rajvinder,originally from Kent, is one of five siblings bought up by her parents who came over from Punjab in the 1960s.

Rajinder moved to Warwickshire in 1989 when she married husband Jagtar Singh Gill.

Settling in Leamington, she worked in administration for Warwickshire County Council running the Youth Training Scheme.

After ten years with the council, she moved on to Calor Gas, before becoming HR manager for the now closed Woodwards department store in Leamington.

After that she focused on the family property business run with her husband.

Her interest in law and order was enhanced by being appointed a magistrate for the Coventry and Warwickshire Bench.

And crime prevention and community safety are at the forefront of her priorities over the coming year.

Her focus will be on supporting Warwickshire’s youth in an attempt to reduce crime and invest in their safety and education.

The mum-of-three said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to be offered the chance to serve the people of Warwickshire. I am very keen to actively support and encourage crime prevention projects in our county and support the Crimebeat charity that gives recognition to innovative and successful crime prevention projects carried out by young people.

“I would never, in my wildest dreams, have imagined to be where I am today. When that tap on the shoulder happens, it is overwhelming and feels so surreal which is how it has been until today, the day of my inauguration when reality awakens you.

“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone whose support and trust has allowed me to undertake this esteemed position – a role of great importance to the community of Warwickshire and the Sikh community as after over 1,000 years of history of the office of high sheriff, I am the first Sikh woman to take this ancient office in the UK.”

7 Sikh Candidates In Tamil Nadu LS Poll Field This Time

 According to Times of India “ Seven Sikh candidates have taken the plunge into the Tamil Nadu poll scene this Lok Sabha elections, perhaps for the first time. The Bahujan Dravida Party, founded by Jeevan Singh Malla, known as Jeevan Kumar before he embraced Sikhism in January 2023, has fielded these Tamil-origin Sikhs.

All the seven aere part of a group of 200 from Tamil Nadu who spent time at the farm protest site at Delhi’s Singhu border in 2021. “Out of this group, 20 have embraced Sikhism recently…,” said Jeevan.

BDP’s candidates are the husband-wife duo of Rajan Singh from Kanayakumari and Seetha Kaur from Tenkasi, Selva Kumar aka Selva Singh from Tirunelveli constituency, Naga Vamsa Pandian Singh from Madurai, Korkai Palanisamy Singh from Virudhunagar, Manivasagam from Ramanathapuram, Asiriyar Shanmugasundaram Singh from Thoothukudi constituency.

“All the seven candidates are from SC, ST and Backward Class groups and four of them are Amritdhari (baptized) Sikhs ….,” he said. The party is also planning to field candidates in other states with special focus on dalits.

Jeevan says his journey into Sikhism took years of study. “I first came to know about Sikh gurus from Osho’s discourses and studied Bhagat Kabir through him. I started focusing on Sikhism from 2014. 

Learnt more about Sikhs while at Singhu: TN party founderJeewan said, "Later, I learnt that compositions of gurus and bhagats are put together in the Guru Granth Sahib. I came to know about Guru Gobind Singh from Bahujan Samaj Party’s founder Kanshi Ram after I joined the party in 1998. During my two-month stint at the Singhu border, I learnt more about Sikhs… and we made up our minds to become Sikhs.”

Giving a glimpse of his mission, Jeevan said that they had started a School of Miri Piri at Korampallam in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu. “We teach our cadres the philosophy of Sikh Gurus, Bhagats, Periyar and Kanshi Ram. It is actually aimed at providing a leadership development programme among SCs, STs and others,” he said

Sikh Heritage Month celebrated with big lineup of Metro Vancouver events

 According to Straight “ Sikh Heritage Month is celebrating its seventh official anniversary this April with a bevy of events following the theme of chardi kala, meaning a positive and uplifted state of mind.

The lineup of events and awards, put on by Sikh Heritage BC, celebrate the contributions of Sikh Canadians and their long-standing history in British Columbia.

“We hope that British Columbians will take advantage of these events, and join us in celebrating the history and culture of the Sikh community,” says Mohnaam Kaur Shergill, media coordinator for Sikh Heritage BC, in a release. “If you’ve ever wondered why we look the way we do, or why so many of us find ourselves actively involved in politics and social justice, then these events are for you.”

First, the Sikh Heritage Month opening celebration takes place March 30, kicking it all off at Surrey City Hall with live performances and food.

The next day, a talk called Artificial Intelligence and Sikhi will explore AI’s impact on Sikh communities, with Jujaar Singh and Harjinder Singh Sandhu, CTO of Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft.

On April 6, storytelling event Sikhs Speak: Embracing Chardi Kala takes place at SFU Surrey; and Kaur, an interactive art exhibition nodding to Sikh resilience, takes place April 14 at Surrey City Hall. Speaking of history, the festival delves into the 1984 Sikh Genocide through the lens of women with 1984: The Female Perspective on April 21 at Khalsa School.

Then there’s Blossoming, a live concert with Sikh and English composer Eeshar Singh at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on April 26.

There are also readings, Sikh immersion courses, and lunches happening during the month.

“The Sikh community’s fight for justice and freedom is far from over,” says Jasleen Kaur Sidhu, a high school teacher and Director of Education at Sikh Heritage BC, in the release. “But our community is resilient, and we will persevere all while showing British Columbians how the Sikh community’s history in British Columbia is an integral extension of Canadian history.”

Sikh Heritage Month BC 2024

When: March 30 to April 30

Where: Various locations

Tickets: Free to $20, events and tickets can be found here

New Sikh Exhibition on display at Surrey Museum

 According to The Link “ A new community-led exhibit is now on display at the Museum of Surrey from February 6 to May 19, 2024. Lahore to London: A Journey of Chardi Kala invites visitors to learn about the heritage and identity of many in the Sikh diaspora.

The exhibition showcases a selection of objects in the Wanjara Nomad collection that boasts over 1230 rare books, meticulously curated to illuminate the multifaceted history of the Sikh diaspora, the East India Company, and the British Empire.
Featured on display are books and artifacts that include historical works like the “Annexation of the Punjab and the Maharajah Duleep Singh” (1882), “Punjab-Court and Camp of Runjeet Singh” (1840) which is a valuable historical account about Maharaja Runjeet Singh’s court and military camp during the Sikh empire, the “Personal scrapbook of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh,” and more.
“The aim of this exhibit is preserving, learning and sharing in Chardi kala with fellow Canadians” said Raj Singh Bhandall, Curator of Wanjara Nomad Collections. “We are excited to have selections from this collection on display for Surrey residents. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the communities here in Surrey”, said Lynn Saffery, Museum Manager.
Museum of Surrey invites the public to engage with this exhibit, gain insight into the intricate threads of Sikh history, and reflect on the diverse tapestry of Surrey’s community. For more information about the exhibits and other Museum of Surrey programming, visit www.surrey.ca/museum.

A 3-day conference on entitled “Concept of Martyrdom in Sikhism” held at PU Chandigarh

 According to Punjab  News Express “ Three Days Conference entitled “Concept of Martyrdom in Sikhism” dedicated to unique martyrdom of Sahibzadas; was organized by the Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies, Panjab University Chandigarh and Virasat Punjab Manch (A Platform of various thinkers, scholars and academicians).

On the second day, many papers on various themes were presented. The sessions were presided by Gurinderpal Singh Josan, a renowned karate coach of international exposure; Dr. Karnail Singh from UK; Dr. Jaspal Kaur Kaang, former Chairperson Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies PU Chandigarh; Dr. Paramjit Kaur Gill of PU Patiala; and Dr. Malvinder Kaur from Punjabi University, Patiala.

Chetan Singh, Kulwinder Singh Badal, Simarjit Singh, Harpinder Kaur, Gurinderpal Singh Josan, Dr. Amardeep Kaur, Pritam Singh, Dr. Ranbir Singh, Ramandeep Kaur, Prabhjit Kaur, Rekha Rani and many other scholars presented their papers.

Main themes of discussion were martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Arjun Dev, Shahadat of Four Sahibzadas, Banda Bahadur, Bhai Satidas, Bhai Matildas, Bhai Dayala, Bhai Jaita, Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Deep Singh, Battle of Saragarhi, Battle of Chamkaur and persecution under British era.

It will be followed by a musical evening in which Sufi Singer Kanwar Grewal will present his Sufi Qalam.

Abbotsford’s Sikh Heritage Museum hosts open house for heritage week

 According to The Abbotsford News “ In celebration of B.C. Heritage Week, the Sikh Heritage Museum in Abbotsford opens its doors to those interested in learning and experiencing Sikh culture.

The event, called Unfolding the Layers of Migration, is part of an open house hosted by University of Fraser Valley’s South Asian Studies Institute to coincide with heritage week from Feb. 19 to 25.

“The Sikh Heritage Museum is a touchstone of history, heritage and culture for the Sikh community in the Fraser Valley and beyond to all parts of B.C.,” says UFV associate professor Satwinder Bains.

Located at 33089 South Fraser Way, the Gur Sikh Temple is the oldest existing gurdwara in North America – first opened in 1911 – and the only temple of its kind outside of India and Pakistan to be designated a national historic site.

The event is scheduled for Feb. 20, and will include:

• 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – transnational marriage exhibit viewing

• 1:30 to 2 p.m. – introduction and talks

• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – film screenings followed by Q & A

Those interested are also invited to enjoy a meal from noon to 1 p.m. at the Khalsa Diwan Society, located across the street from the temple.

Winnipeg Sikh community prepares Valentine’s care packages for women’s shelters

 According to Global News “ Saturday afternoon at Valley Gardens Community Centre, a group of volunteers with the World Sikh Organization put together special care packages for Valentine’s Day. The gifts won’t be going to their partners or families, but to women in shelters. “There’s no restriction to who you share that love with for Valentine’s Day,” says Mahekleen Kaur, regional president of the WSO in Manitoba. “So, the idea is, why not spread it to everybody?”

The packages contain essentials like toothpaste, pads and tampons, plus things like soap, body wash or face masks, which they hope can brighten the recipient’s day.

Kaur says the organization does this every year as part of their One Billion Rising initiative. Originating in Vancouver in 2012, the campaign has now spread to multiple cities across Canada. “One in three women will face some form of abuse in their lifetime, which will equal to one billion women, which is just such a heart wrenching statistic,” says Kaur. “So. to raise awareness for that statistic, we’re doing our part as the Sikh community.”

Volunteer Sheena Gurm collected donations from the Amber Trails Community School, where she teaches kindergarten. She says participating in initiatives like this is important to the Sikh community. “In our culture, we are always taught about the spirit of generosity, so giving back to the community, giving back to those who need it,” says Gurm.

Her students also contributed by making cards to go into the packages, featuring messages of hope and encouragement.

The children at Little Wonders Daycare helped too, according to director Aman Sidhu.

“We talk about how they’re helping somebody’s mommy, or they’re helping somebody like them, because some of these will be going to mothers with children,” says Sidhu. “So, they’re just very happy that they get to give back in that way.”

The group is on track to send around 225 care packages to shelters this year, which would be a record amount. But above all, volunteers want the women to know that someone is thinking of them.

“Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to just be about having a partner in your life,” says Kaur. “It can also just be about knowing there’s someone who wants you to know that you’re loved, that you deserve to be treated with love and respect.”