Sikh Missionary Society (U.K.)

Celebrating 550th Guru Nanak Parkash (Birthday) Anniversary
&
50th Anniversary of The Sikh Missionary Society UK

Guru Nanak's Nirmal Panth to Khalsa Panth

State of the Panth and next steps:

Where are we? Where are we going? Where do we want to be?

Guru Nanak Sahib's 550th Parkash anniversary is being celebrated across the globe.

Guru Ji's Message is evergreen and relevant to all times and places. As we celebrate so we also reflect on the state of the Khalsa Panth today. We ask ourselves if we are the true followers of the Sikhi preached by Guru ji. If not, then we need to rediscover Sikhi in its pristine form.

The True Source for doing that is Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib as ordained by Guru Gobind Singh ji. The Singh Sabha Movement started by Gursikh scholars in the second half of the 19th century was a milestone initiative in Sikh tradition to guide ourselves back to the Sikhi as taught by Guru Nanak Jot and Jugat over a period of 239 years from 1469 to 1708.

Today, we have hundreds of gurdwaras and Panthic jathebandis. There is no shortage of paper and electronic information and publications about Sikhi. We need to lay the foundation for Sikhi milestone achievements for the next 50 years as we celebrate the arrival of Guru Nanak Sahib 550 years ago.

We need to spread Gurbani-based guidance about the most pressing issues facing humanity today.

Below are links to some selected articles by Sikh diaspora scholars for special publications by Gurdwaras and organisations commemorating Guru Nanak Sahib 550th Parkash Divas:

Articles on Sikh Ideology & Identity

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

Sikh Missionary Society (U.K.) & Sikh Council UK

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 2011.

Remembering Delhi Pogrom 1984

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.

Pogroms, genocides and human tragedies, should unite all right thinking, fair-minded people above communal and religio-ethnic divides so that lessons are learnt, and history does not repeat itself. The politics of forgetfulness must not be allowed to suppress the traditional Sikhi spirit of remembrance expressed in the daily Ardaas (supplication).

The bodies of butchered Sikhs being quickly desposed off by the Indian Government.

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.

Guidance on the wearing of Sikh Articles of Faith in the workplace and public spaces

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

Aim and Activities

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.

Catalogue of books and artefacts available at the Sikh Missionary Society UK

Today in Sikh History:

(1986)	:	Hindoos attacked Sikhs and their property at Gurdaspur.
(1984)	:	Attacks on Sikhs by Haryanee Hindoos, with police cooperation, continued in which more than 20 Sikhs were killed, property worth millions was looted, burnt. This went on for several days.
(1983)	:	Talks between the government and Sikhs fail, in regards to the Dharm Yudh Morcha.
(1949)	:	Sikhs held a Conference against the Indian government's ban on such gatherings. All participants were arrested and jailed for different terms.
(1924)	:	1st Shaheedi jatha to jaito, reached Nabha territory and was fired upon. 100 killed, 200 wounded, 700 arrested.
(1921)	:	Shaheedi Saka, Sri Nankana Sahib. 200 GurSikhs killed.

Departments

Ongoing Classes and Courses

Gurmukhi / Panjabi Classes

Learn to read, write and speak Panjabi.

To find out more about Panjabi Classes at the Sikh Missionary Society please call us (020) 8574 1902.

Times: Fridays 6.00 - 7.30 PM

Kirtan Classes

Learn to play and sing Kirtan

You can bring your own instruments for practice and accompaniement.

To find out more about Kirtan Classes at the Sikh Missionary Society please call us (020) 8574 1902.

Times: Wednesdays 6.00 - 8.00 pm