Airport Turban Search

On the way back home from Denmark, I was asked by the Copenhagen Airport security staff to take off my Dastaar (turban). I was passing through the metal detectors and the machine went off. This is very normal because I don't take off my Karras (like all other Amritdharis I know). Wearing the Karra is never a problem and the airport staff usually don't ask for the Karra to be removed.

The usual proceedure after the metal detecting maching going off is that the security guard patts you down and then gets a hand-held metal detector wand which he waves across the body and over the Dastaar. It is very simple and I've never had any problems.

However, this time (first time ever) the security guard said, "Please remove" (pointing at my Dastaar). I said, "No" to the man. The security guard was very nice and seemed that he didn't wish to cause offence or anything. He said, "You will need to take it off. Could you do so in a side-room".

I asked, "Why do you want me to take off my turban? Every time I have been abroad in Europe etc, I have never ever been asked to remove my turban. Do you not have a hand-held metal detector wand to wave over my turban." The man spoke little and just said, "No, Sir." Waheguru. I was gob-smacked that such a big international airport (Copenhagen Airport) didn't have any hand-held metal detector wands and relied only on the huge walk-in metal detecting machines! Rab hee Raakha!

I repeated the request, "I am baffled you have no hand-held metal detector wands at all. Are you sure?" The man looked at another female security guard and then another male security guard who shook their heads to signal they had no hand-held detectors. If it was Tashkent Airport in Uzbekistan or something, I could imagine they might not be able to afford hand-held metal detector wands, but for such a large european international airport to have such poor security equipment was beyond belief.

So, I had no choice. Two security guards escorted me to a small room (it was my like a small box-room with no windows and very dim light!). I slowly unwrapped my dastaar and placed my dastaar on my shoulder. After unwrapping my dastaar, I pointed to my Keski (short under-turban) and asked, "Do I need to remove this as well?" They nodded their head and said, "Yes." So I untied my Keski and placed it on my shoulder as well. Then one of the security guards took off his gloves. It looked like he was getting ready to put his hands through my Kesh! Waheguru, Waheguru. I stopped him and said, "You can look, but you cannot touch my hair or turban." He was nice about it and said "that is fine". But the two security guards still kept looking at me. It felt slightly uncomfortable - I am standing in a small dark and dingy box room with my hair down, and two Danish man just staring like zombies at me! I thought to myself, do they think I have metal item shoved in my scalp or something! Rab Jaane.

I (jokingly) said, "Ermm... do you want me to shake my hair or something." The security guards said "Yes". Sat Naam, Waheguru! (I was only joking!). I was confused! Rab Raakha. So I shook my hair from side to side to show that I had nothing in my Kesh (I probably looked like a hippy at a rave concert or something!). They were happy and said thats fine.

Then they watched me very carefully as I re-tied my dastaar (I tried to be as quick as possible because the lack of space and indirect pressure of hurrying up). It must have been the first time they have seen long Kesh and someone untying and re-tying their Dastaar. They looked really pleased at how the dastaar was tied.


When I got through to the Departures area, I decided to wash my hands in the toilet. As I looked in the mirror, I realised that I looked a MESS. Waheguru! Because the room where I tied my Dastaar was so dark and I felt like I was being rushed, I didn't realise that my Dastaar looked aweful! Waheguru. It looked worst than a Baba from the Pind who ties his Dastaar without looking in the mirror (and no bother in the world!)! Unfortunately I didn't find anywhere suitable to re-tie my Dastaar so I had look like an utter mess until I arrived back home!


Despite being stopped and the lack of competence in the airport security checking facilities, the men were very polite and apologised for taking my time. However, I am worried that the airport staff claimed that they had no hand-held metal detector wands. Secondly, what is their policy for searching turbans (if they have one!). Someone suggested that I contact United Sikhs. So I did so. They replied very promptly and said that they will take appropriate action in finding out what the airport policies are and ensure it doesn't happen to any other Sikhs.



ADVISE & HELP:

If anyone has faced any issues at any airport as a result of their Dastaar or any other issue (e.g. Kirpan), then please contact the United Sikhs. Details below:

Email: Contact@UnitedSikhs.org

Airport Turban Screening Database Form:
http://unitedsikhs.org/turban_screening/ts-form-main.php

Denmark Sikhi Camp

Last weekend a two-day Gurmat camp was held in Copenhagen in Denmark, organised by the local youngsters with the help of the local elders. Particularly, Bhaji Jarnail Singh and his family put a lot of effort into organising and doing seva throughout the camp. The Camp was attended by over 20 youngsters, which involved a series of workshops and classes on Gurbaani Vichaar, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikh History, Keertan, and discussions. The youngsters of Denmark are a credit to the Panth and are showing great progress in their Sikhi. May Waheguru keep them alll in Chardikala and bless them with more enthusiasm, spirit, and strength in becoming strong Sikhs and inspiring other youngsters.

Some photos from the camp:


SATURDAY


Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee


Group Activities:




Langar:

Sangat made lovely Pizzas! (Very tasty!)


Lovely presented (and tasty) ice-cream for Langar!


Group Discussions:






Evening Diwaan:




Late-Night Keertan:



SUNDAY

Amrit-Vela:




Langar:




Class:




Evening Diwaan:




Evening Langar:




Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Reading One-Day Sikhi Camp Photos

On Saturday November 15th a one-day Sikhi Camp was held at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Reading (Berkshire). The one-day camp dedicated to Sikhi workshops in English for the Sangat was organised by the Gurdwara Sahib and local youth with help from Sikh Seva sevadaars. In the evening there was a late night Keertan Darbaar till late which was organised by the Sangat.

Some photos from the day:

Morning Diwaan:




Guru Sahibaan History Workshop:




Saakhiaan (stories) workshop:






Langar:




A happy Singh!


Sevaa

Life of a Gurmukh & Manmukh Workshop:




Youth & Social Issues Workshop:




Q&A Session:



Closing Diwaan:



More photos on Ravjeet Singh's Flickr


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Poem: "Another Tree Falls"

I came across the video on YouTube. It is from a conference or talk in America called "Lahir 2008". Bhai Rubin Paul Singh poetically highlights human rights issues. It's a really creative way of raising awareness. Watching the video you feel overpowered by the words of the poem.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhai Hai Teree Sikhee.

National Youth Akhand Paath

ਆਇਓ ਸੁਨਨ ਪੜਨ ਕਉ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
Aaeio sunan paṛan kau baaṇee.
The mortal came (on this earth) to hear and chant the Word of the Guru's Bani.
(Ang 1219)

Last weekend the first National Youth Akhand Paatth Sahib took place in which the paatth (reading) was recited solely by the youth, in particular youth who have not done paatth seva in Sangat before! Considering it was the first time for many people doing Paatth from Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee in the Sangat, Ardaas was done for a Sehaj Paatth (slow intermittent reading), in case there were any problems, however the Paatth was done as if it was an Akhand Paatth (continuous non-intermittent reading). With Guru jee's kirpaa the event was very successful.

The event was an idea of Bhenji Daljeet Kaur and Bhaji Jaspal Singh to get youngsters more confident in reading Gurbani and develop their personal relationship with Guru jee. The seva was carried out by around 50 Amritdhari Singhs and Singhnian from different areas of the UK. Each person was allocated 20 angs (respected word for pages) with an estimated time depending on the individual's ability. Because everyone knew which 20 angs they were going to read before hand, it gave time for people to practice their paatth and get any help in pronunciation of certain words if needed.

Elder GurSikhs sat in the Sangat and listened to the Paatth to ensure that the paatth was being read correctly. It was amazing to hear respected elder Gursikhs repeat lines of Gurbani without looking at the computer or any Pothi and correcting Paatthis where they unintentially made a mistake. It just shows how much abhiyaas (practice) they must have of listening and reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. Waheguru!

After the bhog (completion), a siropa was given to each and every person who took part in the Seva by Bhai Sahib Raghbir Singh jee. Youngsters were urgd to join their local Santhiyaa classes (if available) and take laahaa (benefit) of learning correct pronunciation of Paatth so that each and everyone of us can become fluent readers of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. May Guru jee do kirpaa on all us and bless us with pyaar for Gurbani, ability of doing correct pronunciation (shudh uchaaran) and ulitmately living the Guru's Word.


Some photos from the event (taken from www.SevaToTheMax.com):


Veer Pardip Singh (Leamington Spa)


Bhenji Darshan Kaur (Southall)


Bhaji Preetam Singh (Coventry)


Sangat listening to Paatth (translations were also projected)


Bhenji Kirat Kaur (Leamington Spa)


Bhaji Bhupinder Singh (Birmingham)


Bhai Jaspal Singh (Leicester)


Bhenji Kamalpreet Kaur (Banbury)


Bhenji Harmohan Kaur (Southall)


Bhai Sahib Raghbir Singh jee doing Ardaas on the Bhog (completion). Waheguru.


For more photos on Veer Tarnjeet Singh's Flickr.


Details of some Gurbani Santhiaa classes in Birmingham and Southall:

Birmingham
Guru Nanak Gurdwara, High Street, Smethwick
Bhai Baldeep Singh (Damdami Taksaal)
Every Wednesday, 6pm (for beginners)

Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Edward Street, West Brom
Every Sunday, 6pm - 8pm


Southall
Sri Guru Amardas Hall, Adelaide Road, Southall
Giani Gurdev Singh (Damdami Taksaal)
Every Sunday, 7pm - 8pm
Every Monday, 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Sikh Missionary Society, 10 Featherston Road, Southall
Giani Charanjeet Singh (Damdami Taksaal)
Every Saturday, 5pm - 8pm


Online Resource:
Giani Thakur Singh (Damdami Taksaal)
Gurbani Santhiaa Video



Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.

The Mist cleared and the Sun shone everywhere...

Thursday 13th November 2008, marks the 539th Prakaash divas (birth date) of Guru Nanak Dev jee, the founder of the Sikh faith. Happy gurpurb to everyone. May Guru jee bless everyone with Gursikhi Jeevan and eternal love for Waheguru.

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ ॥
sunee pukaar daataar prabh guru naanak jag mahi patthaaeiaa.
The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.

(Bhai Gurdaas jee)

Mist of Darkness
According to Gurmat there are two types of bodies - the physical body (asthool sareer) and invisible internal body (sooksham sareer). As the internal body is a spiritual being and not physical matter, scientists have not acknowledged it. When there is mist, one cannot see where one is going. In thick fog people are more likely to have car accidents because they cannot see ahead of them.


Humanity Crying
Leading up to the birth of Guru Nanak Dev jee, the world was covered in heavy mist. When the five vices - lust, anger, greed, emotional attachment, and ego - go out of control, then the inner body gets covered with mist and darkness of corruption. At first a human being commits individual acts (karams) fuelled by vices, then it becomes habit which leads to it becoming the individual's character (sanskaar). When vice and corruption become part of one's character then one feels no shame and they see no wrongness in their wickedness and sinful actions. The repeated actions leaves an imprint on the soul. Humanity was crying out as its spirituality was lost and people became blind in the mist of Maya (materialism) and the five vices.


Clearing the Mist
Mist can only be cleared with light, however a small light like a lamp or torch would not be able to do this. In order to clear the heavy mist, the Sun must shine. When the Sun shines the morning mist clears. A small diva (oil-lamp) can only light one house and provide light to a few people, but it would not be able to clear the mist. There could be hundreds of divas (oil-lamps) and still the mist would not clear. In the world, there were many changing religious leaders, holy-men and prophets, however their light was not enough to illuminate the world's spiritual darkness.


The Divine Light Shines
The changing religious leaders and world prophets provided some light to the people but were like divas (oil-lamps) and were limited in their light. The Sun itself had to shine to clear the mist of spiritual darkness, Waheguru Himself had to shine His Light in the world and give spiritual enlightenment to everyone. The Sun, unlike a lamp or torch, shines everywhere indiscriminately. “With the emergence of the True Guru, Satguru Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around. As if at the sun rise the stars disappeared and the darkness dispelled" (Bhai Gurdaas jee). Although the Sun shines everywhere, if someone is sitting inside with the curtains drawn, they prevent themselves from experiencing the Sun. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469, and Waheguru manifested His Light within him and revealed Himself to the world through the Satguru. "Waheguru placed Himself within the Satguru (True Guru); revealing Himself (to the world), He declares this openly" (Ang 466, SGGS). The fortunate ones, opened their hearts and allowed the Divine Light of the Waheguru to change their lives.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
Saṯgur no sabẖ ko vekẖḏā jeṯā jagaṯ sansār.
All the living beings of the world see the True Guru.

ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
Diṯẖai mukaṯ na hova▫ī jicẖar sabaḏ na kare vīcẖār.
(However) One is not liberated by merely seeing (the Satguru), unless one contemplates the Shabad (Divine Word).
(Ang 594, SGGS)

Leamington Sikh Activity Weekend Photos!

On Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November, a Sikh Activity Weekend was held at Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara Sahib. The camp was organised by the Education Group Committee at Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara with Sikh Seva sevadaars helping out. All the local sewadaars did a great job in the getting the camp organised and doing langar seva and other seva throughout the weekend.

Day 1 (Friday 31st Oct)

The day started with morning diwaan. The younger children did Keertan and Dastaar Tying in the morning and the elder group had a Gurbani vichaar class with Bhai Joginder Singh jee (Leicester) and Dr. Virk (Derby). Afterwards Dr. Virk did a fantastic talk on "Sri Guru Granth Ji - the Living Guru". After Langar, Bhai Joginder Singh jee gave an inspiring talk on how he came into Sikhi and general advice for everyone using Gurbani. The younger children had fun games, activities and also a workshop on how to do Guru jee's seva and a tour of the Gurdwara. The day ended with a talk by Bhenji Daljeet Kaur jee on the status of Sikh Women in comparison to other religions and a short Q&A session.

Some photos:


Dastaar Tying session.


Langar.


Group photo.


Fun activities and games with Bhaji Manjot Singh and Bhenji Daljeet Kaur jee.


Younger children doing Keertan and Simran.


Bhenji Daljeet Kaur jee talking about Sikh Women.


Sangat listening to Bhenji Daljeet Kaur jee's talk.


Veer Tohmev Singh doing Keertan.


Maharaaj jee's Saroop being taken to Sach Khand.


Day 2 (Saturday 1st Nov)

The day started with morning diwaan. The younger children had a meditation class with Bibi Kulwant Kaur jee and keertan class in the morning and the elder group had a talk by Bhaji Kuljeet Singh jee (Leicester) on "Origin and structure of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee" followed by a relaxation exercise class led by Veer Baldeep Singh. After Langar, Bhaji Kuljeet Singh did a workshop on Ingredients of a Sikh with the younger children and Bhaji Harjinder Singh jee (Walsall) gave a talk on "Birth, Life, Death and Beyond according to Gurbani". The day ended with Keertan, Simran and a short Q&A session.

Some photos:


Morning Diwaan.



Bhaji Vijay Singh and Veer Bikram Singh doing Keertan with the younger group.


Dastaar tying class.


Veer Baldeep Singh doing relaxation exercises.


Bhaji Kuljeet Singh with younger group discussing "Ingredients of a Sikh


Bhaji Amarjeet Singh and Veer Baldeep Singh with younger children. (Looks like someone has been munching on the chocolates!).


Ice-cream with strawberries!


Amrit Bhenji and Raj Bhenji.


Bhenjis eating Langar.


Veer Ravjeet Singh and Bhaji Bhupinder Singh :)



Bhaji Kuljeet Singh doing vichaar on Ingredients of a Sikh with the elder group.


Bhaji Bhupinder Singh doing Simran with the children. They played really fun games like "Musical Simran statues". Even the elders felt like joining in!


Final Hukamnama was read by 10 year old Amritpal Singh.


Bhenji Hardeep Kaur jee (Coventry) who regularly attends the Monday Leamington Simran programme kindly made a cake for the Sikh Activity Weekend. Bhenji was busy on Saturday, so she just came and dropped off the cake and went back home. Waheguru. The cake looked so nice that no one felt like eating it. Waheguru.


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.