Discovering Sikhi - From Ellie to Nirmal Kaur...

The story of Bibi Nirmal Kaur jee. A must read!...

 

 

I come from a mixed Christian-Jewish background but my parents were both non-religious and I never had religious education at school - I skipped the lesson! I wasnt concerned with religion till much later on. I was around 22 and on holiday in Turkey. My hotel was next to a mosque. The call to prayer could be heard loud and clear, even at 5am, but instead of annoying me, it was kind of a soothing sound and I used to get up and watch from the window old men praying inside the mosque. I used to think, "Wow! Waking up so early and going to pray, I wish I was so faithful..." Many years later I converted to Islam. I wasn't brainwashed into it but I thought it was the only way to feel pure and go to heaven, at that moment in time.

 

Islam made me very depressed and isolated. I was constantly questioning my faith, and the Qur'an was so terrifying in its images of Hell and punishments for sinners and apostates, and it clearly put women in a subordinate role to men - they were there to please men and to make babies! Women have to obey, failing that, their husband actually had the right to beat them. Islam makes men very intolerant of women, other religions and especially homosexuals! According to the Qur'an you should identify gays and take them to the highest cliff and throw them down. All punishments in Islam are terrifying and cruel, including the slaughter of animals for consumption (halal) but, cutting a long story short, I was becoming an emotional wreck. On top of that, my best friend is gay and he would constantly question me with phrases such as "How can you be my friend if you believe gays should be killed?" I can honestly say that change came to me all of a sudden in no more than a week. It can only be described as a blessing and a miracle.

 

I stopped wearing the hijab, praying and fasting. I developed a strong dislike, almost hate, for everything Islamic. I started being promiscuous although I never drank or smoked. After some time I felt again something was wrong, I felt empty inside, which was obvious. I was dating this Panjabi man who was from a Sikh family and although a "Mona" i was determined to find out more about the roots of his religion.

 

In the house which he shared with other people, seemed to be so humble and quiet. Feel curious I went through the Internet and I started reading pages from Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I bought two books and started learning the Panjabi language. I finally went to the Gurdwara with my boyfriend and I was fascinated. Music in Islam is totally banned and punishments are so harsh like cutting a thief's hand. When I looked into Sikhi I just couldnt stop smiling. I thought "O my God! What a dream! What an incredible religion!" Music, kirtan, and Simran, all play an essential role! What a Holy Miracle Guru Granth Sahib Ji is! What about punishments? Throwing people from cliffs? Cutting off hands? No! Just lots of Sewa in the Gurdwara's Langar! Wow! The Langar was another incredible all-voluntary based function of the Gurdwara! No other religon has an open-door-to-all policy, and as far as I know the only religious place where you can have a great meal for free, although donations are greatly appreciated!

 

After lots of studying, although it's never enough, and the Basics of Sikhi course "Why Guru?", I decided the moment had come for my happiest moment in life so far - the Amrit Sanchar ceremony. To be officially baptized was so overwhelming and I could just feel Waheguru's presence like never before in my life.  I was so proud to enter the Gurdwara as Ellie and leave as Nirmal Kaur wearing my 5 kakkaars.

Sorry for my long story but it was a pleasure sharing it. If I could only help one person to make the right decision, I would be satisfied.

 

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Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!