Sikh Missionary Society (U.K.)
ਸਿੱਖ ਮਿਸ਼ਨਰੀ ਸੁਸਾਇਟੀ (ਯੂ.ਕੇ.)

The anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur's shaheedi is observed on 24 November each year. Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-75 C.E.), the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, gave his life for the religious freedom of all. He saved the sub-continent of India from religious bigotry and thus, according to Bhai Gurdas II, "Stabilised the world."

That message of Bhai Gurdas II is particularly relevant today in the context a destructive war around the world in the name of religion. Today, the world can learn from the shaheedi of Guru Tegh Bahadur who opposed the religious bigotry of Emperor Aurungzeb.

To quote from a study, "The martyrdom was a momentous and unique event in the history of human evolution towards a just society in which everyone has the right to practice own religion, subject only to the mutual respect between diverse religious paths. Never, in the annals of human history has a religious head of one belief system given his life for the religious freedom of another religion. In desperation and unable to invoke their numerous gods and goddesses, one leading Pandit made it known that in a dream he had been told by Lord Siva to go to Nanak IX, Guru Tegh Bahdur for protection."

The debt which humanity and India owes to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has yet to be fully acknowledged.

For further reading:

• Life and the Unique Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675) under Publications
• see The Supreme Sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur under Publications
• see Martyrdom in Sikh Tradition under Articles
• Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyr And Teacher under Publications
• The Sikh Martyrs under Publications

Any Sikh festival connected with a Guru is referred to as a Gurpurab. So, on 12th of November, 2019, the Sikhs worldwide celebrate the 550th Prakaash Utsav Gurpurab of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh theo-political system and the Sikh way of living called Sikhi (not Sikhism.)

Traditionally, the Prakaash Utsav (birthday) of Guru Nanak is celebrated on the full moon day (pooranmaasi) in the Indian month of Katik, which usually falls in the month of November each year. However, historians have confirmed that Guru ji was born on 15 April, 1469.

He revolutionized religio-social and political thought of the day and introduced a way of life for those who would follow the path of truthful conduct. These were his Sikhs, meaning students who sought the Ultimate Reality by following the path of righteous conduct. The Sangat (holy congregation) became the main medium for collective guidance in the presence of the Guru - the Guiding Light of Guru Nanak which after Ten Guru-persons, today resides in the Sikh holy Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Shabd or Word Guru.

Guru Nanak's message was egalitarian and revolutionary in his day. Love (prem) for the Creator Being called by many Names in his Baani (Guru's Word or teaching), is central to his message. That love is expressed by following the path of truthful conduct and by seeing God in all and treating and serving all without distinction. He condemned inequality in any form, under any excuse or on any basis e.g. gender, colour, caste or creed. He condemned superstition, ritualism and despotic use of authority. Such a revolutionary ideology was bound to clash with both, the king and the priest.

He was well aware of the sacrifices and socio-political challenges which lay ahead for the Sikhs. He forewarned those who would follow this path of God-centric selfless love and service:

"If you wish to play this game of love, then place your head on the palm of your hand and come my way."

In his meditation, Baba [Guru Nanak] found the whole world burning (with the fire of lust and anger).
(Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 1.24)

And so, Guru Nanak set out to take his message to the world and travelled thousands of miles during long tours lasting over many years.

Publications and articles on this Website give information about Guru ji's life, mission and vision for a just society.

Further reading -

• Introduction to Sikhism
• Short stories about Guru Nanak Dev
• The Compassion of Guru Nanak Sahib
• Guru Nanak's Challenge to Terrorism
• Guru Nanak's Jyot and Jugat

Current Affairs advisories from Sardar Gurmukh Singh OBE, Chair of the Sikh Missionary Society Advisory Board -

• The Sikhs; Their Religion and Tradition
• Guru Granth Sahib
• Who is my Guru?
• Sikh religious titles, duties and related skills
• Sikh weddings: Anand Karaj
• Mixed-marriages : Professing Non-Sikh Faith But Married in Gurdwara
• Women in Sikh Tradition
• Sikhism and the Status of Women
• Heritage of the Sikhs - The Sikh Martial Tradition
• Role of Sikh Women in 18th Century Khalsa Struggle
• The First Anglo-Sikh War - Amarpal Sidhu - Book Review
• A Sikh Approach to War and Peace
• Radicalization & Confused Government Policy
• Sikhism & Care of the Planet
• Sikhism & Ecological Issues
• Sikhism & The Earth Charter
• Understanding types of Gurdwara and main Sikh groupings in the UK (Report: Research into Sikh Presence and Relationships in the Region for East of England Faiths Council)

Further Reading

• His study about the Life and Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, published as a book by The Sikh Missionary Society UK with the title - Guru Tegh Bahadur: The True Story"
• Articles by S. Gurmukh Singh can be read under Articles on Sikh Idealogy & Identity
• His weekly Current Sikh Affairs "News & Views" column in Panjab Times
• His monthly articles on SikhNet

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.

Sikhs worldwide remember the 1984 pogrom in which, according to official figures, at least 3,000 Sikhs were killed by organized mobs in Delhi in the first 3 days of November 1984. Thousands of Sikhs were also killed in other cities of India. While the terror of the human slaughter within such a short time was horrifying, the contrived completeness of the failure of the Indian administrative system was inexcusable.

In an ever shrinking world, no one can remain immune from large scale selective massacre of one community and prolonged delay in the delivery of justice. We remember those who lost their lives in the Sikh genocide of November 1984 and their families who continue to be denied justice to this day.

Further Reading

• Sifting the Dust of 84 Pogrom for Some Positives
• I Accuse...The Anti-Sikh Violence of 1984 - Jarnail Singh journalist - Book Review

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.

Further Reading

• see Guidance on the wearing of Sikh articles of faith in the workplace and public spaces under Articles (also available in Panjabi)
• Turban-wearing Sikhs are exempt from the need to wear head protection in the workplace

  Sections 11 and 12 of the Employment Act 1989 as amended by Section 6 of the Deregulation Act 2015 exempts turban-wearing Sikhs from any legal requirement to wear head protection at a workplace.
  

• Sikh Rehat Maryada also available as PDF in English  and Panjabi