Friday, September 13, 2013

Khalsa Camp California 2013...

 
This year with Guru Sahib's kirpaa, the first-ever Khalsa Camp was held in USA. Khalsa Camp was established in the UK in 1990 and has been providing inspiration and motivation to young and old seeking to discover the spirit within. Khalsa Camp California (USA) took place from 15th to 18th August 2013 in a camp site in a mountainous area.

It was a great privilege to have Sangat with great Gursikhs like Bhai Sadhu Singh jee, Bhai Jarnail Singh Journalist and other Gurmukh Pyaare. The sevadaars did a great job in organising their first camp. I hope the Gursikhs in California continue to do the good work and with Guru Sahib's kirpaa Khalsa Camp California grows in its success.
The talks were My Panth, sharing examples of inspirational Gursikhs in the Panth and how we can serve the Panth. Bhai Jarnail Singh Journalist (India) presented a talk Sikh Character, which covered the jeevan (lifestyle) of the Singhs of the past and how important it is to adhere to Sikh principals. The last talk was Seva and Simran by Dr. Ravinder Singh (LA), which covered what is haumai and why is it important to overcome haumai through seva and simran. In the afternoons there were workshops led by the various speakers and Bhai Sadhu Singh jee (Fresno).
 
Some photos from the camp (taken from Flickr):

Camp site in the mountain
 
 Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee 
 
Evening keertan
 
Sangat during lecture
 
Talk: My Panth
 
Workshop led by Bhai Sadhu Singh jee
 
Workshop led by Bhai Jarnail Singh Journalist
 
Workshop
 
Volleyball
 
 Proud to be Sikh movie - exclusively shown at Khalsa Camp California on Thursday night
 
Movie night
 
Aasa Kee Vaar by an elderly white American Singhni. She reads Gurmukhi and sings Gurbani with perfect pronunciation. She has been doing keertan for fifteen or twenty years with Bhai Manmohan Singh (AKJ) from California.
 
Bhai Jarnail Singh jee doing a speech

Bhai Jarnail Singh jee with USA Gursikhs giving out copies of his book "I Accuse..."
Talk led by Dr Ravinder Singh (LA)
 
 
Evening Darbaar - Sangat
 
Evening Keertan darbar
 
Evening Keertan darbar

 Question and Answer session
 
Question and Answer session on last day

 
 
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee! 
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

New song released about Panjab Police...


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Sunday, September 08, 2013

Your Help is Needed - Please Sign Petition...

Urgent community notice:
 
Stop: Meat plant next to place of worship Petition by Respect Worship
 

On Tuesday 13 August 2013 Bradford Council approved a planning application by Pakeezah Supermarket to open a meat processing plant directly behind Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, off Leeds Road, Bradford. In doing so, the Council has ignored the voices and concerns of the entire Sikh community, thousands of like-minded constituents and the general public at large who have objected to the plans, as they offend the sanctity of a place of worship and hurt the sentiments of worshipers...
 
The decision to approve the planning application may well set a precedent going forward. What will stop other Councils from approving similar planning applications which disrespect places of worship?

Bradford Council's decision as it stands means planning permission could be granted for a pork processing plant to be built next to a Mosque or a Synagogue, a beef processing plant next to a Hindu Temple, or a lap-dancing club next to a Church.


ACT NOW: Please sign the petition and add your comments.
 
 
This will be used as part of an appeal against the Council’s insensitive and hurtful decision.
 
Let us remind Bradford Council of their responsibility to uphold the views of their constituents. This decision has an impact not only locally, but also nationally and internationally, as it hurts shared values and sentiments.
 
By signing this petition you will also be helping protect the sanctity of all places of worship in the future through the #RespectWorship campaign.
 
Please share with friends and family. 

www.respectworship.com #RespectWorship
 
 
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Friday, September 06, 2013

Wake up call: Sikh Girls targets of gangs of sexual predators

On Tuesday 3rd September, the Inside Out programme on BBC 1 (UK) uncovered the hidden scandal of sexual grooming of young Sikh girls by Muslim men, particularly from Pakistani origin. Breaking their silence, they speak to Chris Rogers about their experiences at the hands of these predatory men and why justice is being denied to them by their own community and the police:

Sikh Ethics Special on Sikh Channel broadcasted a show following the BBC London Inside Out documentary shown on Tuesday 3rd September 2013 that uncovered the sexual grooming of young Sikh girls. Bhai Mohan Singh and team discuss the work of the Sikh Awareness Society (S.A.S) in combating the plague of grooming blighting the UK:
If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this show, for further information or to support, please call the Sikh Awareness Society in confidence on 07780 601351 or 07930 522475, Email on sas.helpline@googlemail.com or visit http://www.sasorg.co.uk




News articles relating to Pakistani Muslim in the UK sexually preying on girls and grooming them to sexually exploit them in chronological order:
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Monday, September 02, 2013

"I am willing to die for Sikhi..."

 
There was an interesting Sikhi group discussion that took place with a group. A veer who was Mona (cut haired) said something on the lines of, "Mone have more pyaar for Sikhi sometimes and are willing to give their lives to stop disrespect of Gurdwaras and Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.... Mone sometimes have more pyaar than Sikhi than Amritdharis..." Another comment was, "I would be willing to die for Sikhi. If Sikhi was attacked I would go and give my life for Sikhi." 
 
Daas asked, "It is easy to die. You just got to stand and get rained with bullets and you will die in a few seconds. It could be over pretty quickly. However, how many of you would be willing to LIVE for the Guru?" Everyone's face went blank.
 
"Are you willing to die for the Guru? Who here loves Guru so much that you are willing to live for the Guru - i.e. truly die for the Guru by giving your mind to the Guru? Come on, which one would be willing to sacrifice their appearance for the Guru and keep their Kesh? Who would be able to sacrifice their sleep for the Guru and wake up Amrit-vela every day? Who would be willing to sacrifice their time and do Nitnem, Simran and read Gurbani daily? Now, this where the test of pyaar comes. We can all stick our chests out and say we are willing to die for the Guru, but what is more difficult - to die for the Guru, or live for the Guru?... The Guru accepts those who die that have lived Guru - otherwise they will have to come back to earth until they get liberated through Gursikhi."
 
Someone said, "Mone became shaheed defending Sri Harimandir Sahib... some of them might not of have had time to keep their Kesh and take Amrit" Daas replied, "That's good that they fought to defend Sri Harimandir Sahib. They respect worthy. Guru jee would reward their actions and sacrifice by them being born again in a Gursikh family. Liberation is only through Naam and Gurmat and therefore Guru would bless such souls."
 
Someone else said, "I would go to defend Sri Harimandir Sahib if it was attacked again. I would not be able to sit back and watch..." Daas replied, "Dear Veer, Gurbani says ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਏਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਗਿਆਨਿ ਰਤਨਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ || Guru jee tells us that our body is Har Mandir - the House of God. Our body is a Gurdwara in which Guru jee sitting inside of us. What does Har Mandir Sahib or any Gurdwara have on the top?" Someone replied, "a dome." "Yes - a Gummat (dome). You have destroyed your Gummat (dome) - by cutting your God-given Kesh and not wearing a Dastaar - and defiled and disrespected Harimandir Sahib of the body by pumping drugs, tobacco, meat, and alcohol in it - Is this not hurting the Guru? Is this not disrespect of Harimandir Sahib? Why are you not running to prevent this sacrilege?"
 
One veer replied, "You right! You are speaking the truth. I have not thought about it like that." Everyone agreed and shook their head in agreement. I apologised to the veers if they were offending by the vichaar. They replied that they were not offended and appreciated hearing the truth and that they hope that they can hopefully one day become Sikhs and earn Sikhi. Vaheguru!
 
 
Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee! 
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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Meeting an American lady...

 

On Wednesday 14th August I was on a flight to the USA. As I came on board, I looked at my seat and saw an American lady sitting in the next seat and an American man sitting two seats away. I sat down and said "Hi" to the lady and the man. The lady looked at me and I could tell she was bit apprehensive and perhaps bit nervous to sit by me.

During the journey the American lady looked at the Khanda on my dastaar and said, "Excuse me, what is that you are wearing on your turban." I explained the meaning of the Khanda. "This is the symbol of the Sikh religion. The double-edge sword in the middle represents there is one God, the circle (chakar) represents he is never-ending and eternal. The swords on the side represent the social and spiritual struggle of a Sikh. A Sikh strives to fight social injustice and also fight the vices inside of himself or herself." I explained that Sikhs are Spiritual Warriors and fought to defend others. I explained about Guru Teg Bahadur Jee's Kurbani and the Sikhs struggle for social justice for all. Then I explained the inner battle is with lust, anger, greed, emotional attachment and ego. She was very impressed by the philosophy of the Khanda.

I then asked what religion she was. She replied that she was a Catholic. I asked if there were any Sikhs where she lives in USA. She replied, "Do all Sikhs wear the turban?" I replied, "Yes. To be a Sikh you have to have a turban and have unshorn hair."  She said that she hasn't seen many Sikhs where she lives.

I started to ask why she went to England. She explained how her husband was a doctor and was now in hospital. She was quite upset and distressed by the state of husband. She asked what job I do. I explained and then she asked why I was wearing the clothes I am. I explained that I was wearing simple traditional clothes that are supposed to be modest. I explained that the hazooriaa was worn to show that we are the servants of God and striving to stay in the presence of God. She was very impressed and said, "I am glad I am sitting next to a Sikh today. I was feeling down about my husband. I think God wanted me to sit here and see a Sikh." Vaheguru!

She then asked about baptism. I explained, "In our religion, to accept the spiritual Path you have to get baptised. Baptism is a spiritual re-birth. You die and are spiritually reborn. You live, breathe, and serve for God."  She seemed very impressed. I explained the significance of each of the 5 Ks and explained the four Kurehats (cardinal sins). She listened carefully and said, "That sounds really nice." She wondered why I was not eating on the flight. I explained the significance of the Kirpan and how I was separated from my Kirpan and so I wasn't eating. I then explained about Bibek. "We eat spiritual food prepared by spiritually disciplined people. When cooking food we pray and meditate, so that the food has positive energy." She looked at me and said, "Sikhs are pretty "Zen". You very optimistic and positive people. How do you do it?" I replied, "With the Guru's Grace. The Guru gives us strength throuhg prayer, meditation and discipline." The lady smiled. Later on she said, "Do you mind? I write an online journal. I have mentioned that I met a Sikh and written about Sikh religion." I said that is fine.


Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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