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S.M.S Opening Hours
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us your enquiries or drop in during these
hours:
Monday to Saturday
10.30 AM to 6.30 PM
Sundays
2.00 PM to 6.30 PM
Directions
and Map
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Sikh
Students 35th Annual Gurmat Camp -
2012
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You will be pleased to know
that the Sikh Missionary Society has made
arrangements to hold the 35th Sikh
Students Gurmat Camp from Sunday 22nd July
to 29th July 2012 at Sri Guru Nanak Darbar
Gurudwara, Guru Nanak Marg, Gravesend,
DA12 1AG, Tel: 01474534121
Special Features of
the camp are:
Community
Living: The Gurmat Way
Gurmat
Essay & Painting Competition
One
Day Outing
Introduction
to Kirtan
Indoor
and Outdoor Games
Workshops/Seminars
&
Discussions on Sikh Religion
Camp
Fire and Special Martial Arts
Display
Tie up Dastar (Sajauna) – preferably
in Punjabi Style
Encouragement & Prizes to the
children who learn Gurbani Path by
heart
Fees:
£80 for the first child from a
family and £75 for other
children in the same family.
Special
concessions may be available in some
cases (please give us a call on 020
8574 1902).
Closing
date for admission is the 15th of July
2012, there are approximately 100
places available so please book early
to avoid disappointment.
Note: Minimum Age for
Campers is 10 years and the Maximum
age is 15.
Click here
for more information
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The Story Of Vaisakhi
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In
April 2012, cities across the UK will play
host to huge, colourful and joyous parades
celebrating the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi.
Vaisakhi (also
spelled Baisakhi) is the festival which
celebrates the founding of the Sikh
community known as the Khalsa. It is
celebrated on April 14 each year. On
Vaisakhi day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh
summoned Sikhs from all over India to the
city of Anandpur Sahib. At this gathering,
the Guru called upon Sikhs to uphold their
faith and preserve the Sikh religion. Guru
Gobind Singh then lifted his sword and
asked that anyone prepared to give his
life for his faith to come forward. There
was a big silence, but the Guru went on
repeating his demand. One Sikh finally
came forward and followed the Guru into a
tent. Shortly after, the Guru reappeared
alone with his sword covered in blood, and
asked for a second volunteer. Another Sikh
stepped forward and again the Guru took
him into the tent, and re-appeared alone
with his sword covered with blood. This
was repeated until five Sikhs had offered
their heads for the Guru. Finally, the
Guru emerged from the tent with all five
men dressed piously in blue. Guru Gobind
Singh called the five Sikhs the Panj
Pyare, the Five Beloved Ones.
 The Panj Pyare were then
baptized in a unique ceremony called
pahul. Guru Gobind Singh prepared amrit
(holy water) in a bowl using a short
steel sword. Then the Guru's wife, Mata
Sundri, added patashas (sugar crystals)
into the amrit. After completing
prayers, Guru Gobind Singh sprinkled the
amrit on each of the Panj Pyare. The
Guru then knelt before the five and
asked them to baptize him as well. The
Guru proclaimed that the Panj Pyare
would be the embodiment of the Guru
himself: "Where there are Panj Pyare,
there am I. When the Five meet, they are
the holiest of the holy."
The Panj Pyare were the
first members of the new Sikh community
called the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh
gave the Khalsa a unique identity with
five distinctive symbols of purity and
courage, known today as the Five K's.
The Guru gave all Khalsa men the surname
of Singh (lion) as a reminder to be
courageous. Women took on the surname
Kaur (princess) to emphasize dignity.
With the distinct Khalsa identity, Guru
Gobind Singh gave all Sikhs the
opportunity to live lives of courage,
sacrifice, and equality. These Sikhs
were to dedicate their lives to the
service of others and the pursuit of
justice.
For further information -
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Sikh Dastaar (Turban)
Victory at United Nations
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 The Sikh Missionary Society UK,
welcomes the news that the UN Human Rights
Committee (UNHRC) has ruled against France
in the case of Bhai. Ranjit Singh of
France.
Since 2005, seventy-six years old, Bhai
Ranjit Singh has been denied access to
public health care system and to social
benefits, because he believes that the
Guru’s sacred gift, the turban, cannot be
surrendered to any secular authority.
This success, led by United Sikhs, will
add vigour to the efforts of many Sikh
organisations to secure Sikh religious
rights in Western countries. What
United Sikhs, who led the case, have shown
is that cases like that of Bahi Ranjit
Singh can be successfully taken to the
UN.
The onus of proof is on the state to show
that there are defensible reasons for
placing restriction on religious
freedoms. Otherwise, Sikhs have
always shown a willingness to co-operate
with governments to find joint solutions
to any problems.
Further reading -
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Wearing Kirpan at Olympic
Games 2012
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 Sikh Council UK
has informed the Sikh Missionary Society
UK that the Sikh Federation (UK) has been
in communication with the London
Organising Committee for the Olympic and
Paralympic Games (LOCOG) since March 2011.
It has been agreed that Amritdhari Sikhs
would be allowed to wear Kirpans that are
5-6 Inches long when sheathed, excluding
the size of the handle.
It was agreed that Amritdhari Sikhs would
be encouraged to wear Kirpans under their
clothes when entering Olypmic venues. This
has been reported widely in the national
and international press.
Every Sikh (Amritdhari and non-Amritdhari)
going to an Olympic venue should also
insist that the Kara can not be removed
when going through security.
The Sikh Missionary Society (U.K.) would
also like to congratulate the Sikh Nishkam
Society Australia for their efforts and
achievement of the Weapons Amendments Act
2011 which was passed through Parliament
on the 15th November 2011. The amendment
to section 51 will commence in law on the
2nd January 2012. What this means is that
Sikhs can now lawfully wear a Kirpan in
Queensland.
Further reading -
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Sikh Missionary Society
(U.K.) & Sikh Council UK
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 The Sikh
Missionary Society (U.K.) is now
affiliated to the Sikh Council UK
supporting the principle of Sikh unity to
pursue Sikhi miri-piri objectives in the
UK & Europe (following the Paris Sikh
Summit of 26 November.
Further reading -
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Guidance on the wearing
of Sikh Articles of Faith in the
workplace and public spaces
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 Achieving this
Guidance on the wearing of Sikh Articles
of Faith in the workplace and public
spaces by the Equalities and Human Rights
Commission (EHRC) is an important step
forward in recognition of the Sikh
religious identity in the UK. The Sikh
Missionary Society UK was represented by
Gurmukh Singh (UK) in the drafting of the
Equality and Human Rights Commission
guidelines.
You should read this guidance if you
require:
- clarification on how
the law currently applies to the
wearing of Sikh articles of faith
- examples of best
practice in dealing sensitively and
fairly with observers of the Sikh
faith
- a tool to strengthen
good relations by promoting greater
understanding between Sikhs and others
- a guide for private
and public sector organisations in
terms of dignity and fairness at work,
and service delivery with regards to
the Sikh community, and in promoting
good relations, and
- links to other
guidance on this topic
For further reading -
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Aim and Activities
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The Aim
of the Sikh Missionary Society is the "Advancement of the
Sikh faith in the U.K and abroad"
which is brought about by various
activities:
- To Produce and
distribute books on the Sikh Faith in
English and Panjabi, and other
languages to enlighten the younger
generation of Sikhs as well as
non-Sikhs.
- To Advise and
support young students in schools,
colleges and universities on Sikh
issues and Sikh traditions. If you belong to
an educational institution and
would like more information on
Sikhism please contact
the Resource
Centre.
- To Arrange Classes,
Lectures, Seminars, Conferences,
Gurmat camps and the celebration of
Holy Sikh Events.
- To award prizes to
children on the basis of their
achievement and interest in the field
of Sikh Faith and Panjabi Language.
- To make available
all Sikh Artefacts, Posters,
Literature, Music, Educational
Video's, DVD's and Multimedia CD-ROMs
The Sikh
Missionary Society U.K seeks
financial and other help from Sikh
Sangats and Gurdwaras to meet the
objectives of the Society. The Society
also acts as a Sikh Resource Centre and
has over 1000 life and ordinary members
from all over the U.K and abroad.
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Ongoing Classes and
Courses
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Punjabi
Classes - learn to read, write and
speak Panjabi. To find out more about
Punjabi Classes at the Sikh Missionary
Society call (020) 8574 1902.
Times: Wednesdays
6.00 - 7.30 PM
Kirtan Classes -
learn to play and sing Kirtans - You can
bring your own instruments for practice
and accompaniement. To find out more
about Kirtan Classes at the Sikh
Missionary Society call (020) 8574 1902.
Times: Wednesdays
6.00 - 8.00 pm
Raj Academy Classes
- learn to play traditional instruments
in raag.
Times: Fridays 6.00
- 8.00 pm
Yoga Classes -
learn how to build a healthy body and
develop a balanced mind. To find out
more about Yoga Classes at the Sikh
Missionary Society call Gurmail Singh on
07931252155.
Times: Mondays to
Fridays 6.30 - 8.00 pm
Contact us
to find out more about our classes
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