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Marking the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh – the tenth Guru of Sikhism

January 6th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Current Issues | Sikhism - (0 Comments)

We at the Network of Sikh Organisations UK offer the Sikh community warmest greetings on the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.  

Guru Gobind Singh’s life was one of an unwavering commitment to uplifting ideals; a life dedicated to the pursuit of social and political justice, freedom of belief, and the equality of all human beings, including importantly, the dignity and complete equality of women. The message of his life and teachings carries invaluable guidance for all humanity and is of particular relevance to a world in which near genocide is seen in Gaza, along with continuing suffering in Ukraine and many other parts of the world. Sadly, those fleeing conflict and the destruction of their livelihood are met with active hostility rather than welcome in countries faced with economic uncertainties.   

At such times it is easy to ignore the needs of others. The Guru in applauding Bhai Khanayia looking to the enemy wounded in battle, reminded us of our responsibility even in the most difficult of circumstances, to always look to the needs of others. Sikhs rose to the challenge during the pandemic providing langar and medicines regardless of race, religion or nationality. Today, the need to help others continues not only those suffering in the Middle East, but also closer to home like those requiring refuge or the homeless. 

Guru Gobind Singh in his quest for truth and justice lost his father, mother and four sons but never became despondent or gave up. Instead, he gave us the important Sikh teaching of chardi kala, or eternal optimism.

Today it is important that we reflect on the Guru’s life and teachings. With the spirit of chardi kala, we can also carry ourselves forward to a better future. 

With best wishes for a safe and happy 2025

Indarjit

Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE 

Director, Network of Sikh Organisations

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A Gurpurab message

November 29th, 2020 | Posted by Singh in Current Issues | Press Releases - (0 Comments)

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Gurpurb vadhiya on this anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak the founder of Sikhism.

At the time of Guru Nanak’s birth, religions both in the West and East were engulfed in bitter rivalry with each claiming a monopoly of truth and a special relationship with God. In his very first sermon Guru Nanak taught:

Na koi Hindu, na koi Mussalman

That is, in God’s eyes there is neither Hindu nor Muslim. That God is not interested in our different religious labels but in what we do to make the world a better place.

Guru Nanak taught that to move in this direction, we must be committed to freedom of belief and respect for those of different faiths, the equality of every human being, gender equality and a life committed to the service of others. Guru Nanak’s uplifting teachings were not only for the people of Punjab or India, but for the whole world.

Today with a virulent COVID-19 pandemic engulfing the world, and with democracy and human rights under assault in many countries, we need to reflect on the Guru’s positive guidance for a fairer and more peaceful world.

This year’s commemoration comes at a difficult time for Sikhs in India with the Modi government’s discriminatory action against farmers in Punjab in an attempt to destroy their livelihood by reducing prices paid for crops to facilitate land take over by big business. Sikhs abroad have a particular responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak in India. 

Sikh teachings on tolerance and respect for others are a powerful antidote to narrow-minded intolerance, today, we should pledge ourselves to living and promoting Sikh values in ourselves, our children and in wider society. The best way we can celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak is to follow his uplifting guidance in working for a fairer and more peaceful world.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh.

Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, Director – Network of Sikh Organisations

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – 22/11/18

November 22nd, 2018 | Posted by Singh in Current Issues | Thought for the day - (0 Comments)

This weekend, Sikhs will be celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith. He lived at a time of conflict between the two main religions of the subcontinent, Hinduism and Islam, with each claiming superiority of belief. An important thrust of his teaching was to show that despite superficial differences, both faiths recognised common ethical values of truth, justice and responsibility. He also emphasised the oneness of our human family and the dignity and full equality of women.

Guru Nanak, born in Punjab, taught that the one God of all people is not in the least bit interested in our different religious labels, but in what we do for wider society.  Yet five and a half centuries on, in the same Punjab, the 9-year incarceration on death row of a Christian, Asia Bibi, and in Myanmar the appalling persecution of the Rohingya remind us that religious bigotry is still very much with us.

We claim to live in more enlightened times and yet in many parts of the world, religious bigotry continues to grow at an alarming rate, often leading to horrendous conflicts and the death of innocent people a situation made worse by the ready availability of guns and the trade in arms.

Religious bigotry will not go away by itself. It has to be challenged by the adherents of all faiths and by wider society. Faiths that seek to teach us how to live must be open to question and criticism. This was the approach adopted by Guru Nanak when religious rituals and superstitious practices had virtually obscured ethical teachings that are the essence of true religion. Importantly, he did not rubbish cultural practices that attach themselves to, or distort religious teaching, but in a manner reminiscent of the sermons of Jesus Christ, questioned their relevance.

When I speak to young people in a gurdwara, I say that if something said by a priest in a gurdwara defies common-sense, question it. Religious texts referring to challenges faced by a community thousands of years ago, need to be placed in the context of today’s times if they are not to be misused. Only then can religion become a true force for good in our troubled world.

 

 

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