Sikh Course

In addition to the Sikh Camp, there will also be a "Sikh Course" being held in Bradford in February. The course will cater for adults, and will be held over one day. The aim is for people to gain a better understanding of Sikhism - which is a religion which is relatively unknown to many people. I've attended an earlier course, and was really impressed with what was covered in the course. The course does not go over the basics as in Gurus, history etc.. But concentrates on Gurbani, and what being a sikh is really about. For me it was an eye opener, as the majority of the material was new to me. Changed my prespective on life and Sikhi totally. I would suggest all those interested and able to attend, to do so....

For more details click here

Bradford Sikhi Camp Feb 2008

The next Bradford Sikhi Camp will be taking place on Feb 9th and 10th at Guru Nank Dev Ji Gurdwara, Wakefield Road, Bradford.

Bhai Surjit Singh

Last week the Sikh Sangat of Bradford were blessed by the presence of a chardi kala gursikh in Bhai Surjit Singh (from India). Sikhi stresses the importance of keeping company with Gursikhs/saintly people, and in my opinion Bhai Surjit Singh was that. He joined the Sangat for Amrit Vela, and then in the evening he carried out veechar. It was really enlightening to hear his discourses. Hopefully the Sangat sat up and took note of what was being said. Bhai Surjit Singh is very knowledgable and is very passionate about Sikhi, and yet still so humble, which is great to see. Bhai Surjit Singh is a regular guest speaker at the annual Khalsa Camp, so there will be other opportunities to see him again.

Bhai Surjit Singhs speeches ranged from 'How should a GurSikh come to the Gurudwara', to discussing the current state of Sikhi both in the western world and back in India. He strongly urged every Sikh to become a prachaarak (preacher), and for everyone to take naam. Bhai Sahib made one statement which will probably stick with me forever:

"If Guru Gobind Singh Ji had to take amrit to become Gobind Singh from Gobind Rai, then how can we just call ourselves Singh or Kaur without amrit? How will we answer the Guru when he asks where we got the name Singh from?"

As one can imagine at this point most us in the sangat bowed our heads in shame.

He also warned of following the naqli sants who drive around in chauffered cars (on the money donated by sangat) etc.. And instead make a direct relationship with Waheguru through Bani.

It often dawns upon me when i listen to such gursikhs, how unfortunate some of us are who still don't have the courage or conviction to take naam. What is holding us back i wonder? is it simply ego, or fear?

Bradford's Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan 2007

Bradford's Sikh community organised it's annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan on Saturday 14th April. The Nagar Kirtan visited each of the city's 6 Gurudwarey, and it lasted for approximatley 6 hours.
The Weather was brilliant, and the turnout was decent (i reckon 3-4,000 - not bad for Bradford hey).

I'm posting a few pics, enjoy...

Below are the Panj Pyaarey at Guru Nanak Gurudwara Wakfield Road:




















Flying Singh during mock Gatka Fight:





















Kirtan Jatha from India:
















Random pics of the sangat at the Nagar Kirtan:

Helping a stranger

The other day whilst walking to my car from work, a desi stopped me and asked if a spoke panjabi, i laughed and said "of course". He then wanted to know where the nearest Gurudwara was. I initially just thought he was from outside and merely wanted directions. I asked him which Gurudwara, as Bradford has 6 of them. He said that any of them, as he was in difficulty and needed to go to the Gurudwara. Naturally i asked him the cause of his distress. He then told me that he was an illegal, and had travelled from Bristol, after someone had promised him a job in Bradford, however when he tried contacting them, they had their phone switched off. He wanted to go back to Bristol after he spoke to his "agent", as he had organised a job for him over there now. In order to do this he needed money for his ticket back, which is why he wanted to go to the Gurudwara. I had enough money for his ticket and some extra for him to get something to eat, so i handed him over the money. At this point he was in tears and could not thank me enough. I told him not to worry about it, and that i was simply helping someone in need.

I do sometimes wonder why young lads from Panjab are always wanting to run over to the west. They really think its easy to make money over here. They aren't really used to heavy manual work back home, but yet they'll have to do that once they come over here.