High Wycombe’s Sikh community joins the Wycombe Sharing of Faiths group to celebrate Buckinghamshire’s Cultural & Religious diversity
On the 17th of February 2008 Wycombe Sharing of faiths and High Wycombe’s Sikh Association held an open day at the Reggie Groves Centre in Wycombe’s Town centre. The event was organised through liaison with the president of the Sikh association Mr. Joginder Singh Bansal, Anne Bowker the Chair of Wycombe sharing of faiths & Panjab Radio’s ‘SweetSikhi ‘presenters. The general secretary from the local Gurdwara Mr. Tarlochan Singh Sahota also attended the event along with Trustee & committee member Mr. D S Sahota.
Panjab Radio’s SweetSikhi Team comprises a group of Volunteers who aim to help educate others on cultural diversity & matters of the Sikh faith. They present a weekly show every Sunday with an audience from across the world on sky channel 0130 and dab radio in Greater London, West Yorkshire and West Midlands. “In an increasingly diverse society, we need to find common threads that help us navigate through tensions between different sections of different communities, this Event proved to be a fantastic opportunity for all faiths to meet together and celebrate our differences as well as learning about Sikhism in a friendly environment.” said Satinder Singh, a presenter from Panjab radio.
The attendees of the event had the opportunity to listen to verses from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and listen to Kirtan (Hymns) performed by priests with a Harmonium and Tabla. The hymns were then abridged and translated by volunteers thanks to the benefits gleaned from modern day technology in the form of a PDA. There was also opportunity for a robust Questions and answers session where subjects ranging from the Sikh perspective on the environment, karma and reincarnation were discussed amongst people of all faiths. This all generated a better understanding of Sikhism with parallels being made to similarities in doctrine with the Christian faith along with revisiting the 10 commandments.
“It’s possible to know things with the head – intellectually – but to experience them brings felt meaning. I knew Sikhism teaches the equality and equivalence of all people regardless of gender. But to encounter the Guru Granth Sahib being read by a woman as I entered the hall really struck home. I received that as a gift.” Commented Anne Bowker, Chair of Wycombe Sharing of faiths. “Likewise, Sikh hospitality is legendary. The Langar symbolizes this and I was touched to hear it too called ‘Guru’, along with the ten gurus and the teachings gathered together in the Guru Granth Sahib. Before even the hospitality of food, what I experienced was the Hospitality of welcome by Sikh people of all ages in a nicely informal way, and a warm invitation to return. I would like to do that” she added.
The event was highly successful and the turnout was remarkable, to top it all up visitors and community members tucked into Guru Ka Langar prepared by the volunteers from the High Wycombe Sikh association, visitors commented that it was better then going to an Indian restaurant. The event promises to harness further understanding and dialogue with members of the Sikh community in High Wycombe and other faiths groups over the
coming years.
