ਅਫਗਾਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਮ । Salute to Afghan Sikh brothers’ Sikhi Spirit

I received a message from someone who has direct involvement with the Sikh Afghans still in Afghanistan.

There are 250 individuals left, who all reached Kabul this Sunday morning.

 

Of the 250 Sikhs, 10 Sikhs have volunteered to remain behind to look after the Gurdwaras (Sikh holy shrines). They do so with the knowledge that their lives will/could be in danger and they have stated they accept any responsibility of their actions.

I heard a recording from Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji from Jalabad. He informs the Sangat that all the Sangat of Jalabad have left for Kabul to seek safety at Gurdwara Karta Parvaar. However, Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji and his family (wife and children) and another Gursikh have decided to stay back in Jalabad. He says he has no desire to migrate abroad and make a new life at the expense of abandoning the historical Gurdwara of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Jalabad. He says, if they leave the Gurdwara will either be taken over by Muslims or destroyed. They have transported all Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s saroops to Kabul. They just have 2 senchis (volume parts) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which they do Parkaash and Paath from. Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji says he knows that he and his family may be killed by the Taliban (or splinter groups), however they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the House of Guru Nanak. Well wisher Muslim families have helped to guard the other Sikh shrines in Jalabad from attacks or encroachment.

This brought tears to my eyes. Salute to him and all the Gursikh brothers and sisters who have the choice of either (1) leaving Afghanistan and abandoning their historical holy shrines and homes, (2) cutting their hair and embracing Islam, or (3) staying to look after the Gurdwaras with death looming forever above them.

May the Sikhi Spirit of our Afghan Sikh brothers and sisters motivate those brothers and sisters from Sikh families who still have cut Kes (hair), not yet began reading Gurbani as part of their daily life, or wearing a Dastaar- to claim back and look after their Sikhi in solidarity and respect of the Afghan Sikhs.