Press Release and Sangat Update
Irvine, Scotland, UK
2 February 2011
UK Sangat unites to prevent sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj's Saroop
Irvine, Scotland, UK
2 February 2011
UK Sangat unites to prevent sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj's Saroop
Potential Beadbi in Irvine, Scotland prevented; local Sangat agrees this will not happen again in the future
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Over the last two months, the Satkaar Campaign's Sevaadars have been involved in an ongoing dialogue with members of the Ayrshire Sikh Association (the ASA) in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, to put a halt to a regular monthly Diwan arranged by the ASA at a hall in Irvine. This hall is made available by the local council for all types of community bookings, including hosting parties which permit meat and alcohol. For each monthly Diwan, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj's Saroop would be taken to the hall from Nithsdale Road Gurdwara, Glasgow (40 miles away from hall).
Guru Ji's Saroop going to such a hall is in direct violation of the spirit of Akaal Takhat Sahib's 1998 Hukumnaama (an edict from the Sikhs' supreme authority and policy-making body), which states that Guru Ji's Saroop must not be taken to a place such as a hotel, hall, banqueting suite, club, pub, bar etc., where full Satkaar (respect) cannot be given to Guru Ji's Saroop in accordance with Sikh Maryada (traditions and customs).
Matters in Irvine were further complicated due to the fact that there was a split in the local Sangat. Even though a Gurdwara had been recently established only a mile away from the hall, due to local issues, members of the ASA refused to attend the Irvine Gurdwara. Despite attempts to develop a constructive dialogue with the ASA and with the Glasgow Gurdwara from where Guru Ji's Saroop was brought, a deadlock developed, which lasted for over a month. Satkaar Sevadaars then learned of a planned Diwan at the hall on Sunday 30 January 2011. With Guru Ji's blessings, concerned members of the UK Sangat from across the length and breadth of the UK went to Scotland with the aim of explaining to the members of the ASA, with nimartaa (humility) and love, the reasons why they were so insistent that the scheduled programme should not take place.
A meeting between Satkaar Sevadaars, representatives of the ASA and the local Gurdwara members in Irvine was arranged at short notice on Saturday 29 January. Following several rounds of discussions, Guru Ji showered their blessings and the ASA agreed to cancel the planned programme at the hall on Sunday 30 January, and it also agreed that no such future events would take place at the community hall. Satkaar Sevadaars also encouraged the ASA and local Gurdwara members in Irvine to set aside any personal differences and work together collectively for the Chardikalaa of the Khaalsa Panth, and for the full Satkaar of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj.
Needless to say, this is an extremely positive outcome and one which has come about by Guru Ji's blessings and the collective unity of the UK Sangat in supporting the Satkaar Campaign, as well as the willingness of the majority of Sikhs in Irvine to set aside any personal differences and to come together as ONE to prevent any sacrilege which might have otherwise occurred. Satkaar Sevadaars' Ardaas (prayer) to Guru Ji is that this spirit of Panthic Ektaa (unity and brotherhood) grows stronger by the day in the local Irvine and UK-wide Sangat.
As has been the case in all relevant Gurdwaras with which it has liaised, Satkaar Sevadaars made an offer to assist in Parchaar (propagation of the Sikh faith) and to provide resources and materials to the Sikh community in Irvine. The offer was accepted and the Satkaar Campaign is intending to arrange a Gurmat Camp in Irvine in the near future.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Over the last two months, the Satkaar Campaign's Sevaadars have been involved in an ongoing dialogue with members of the Ayrshire Sikh Association (the ASA) in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, to put a halt to a regular monthly Diwan arranged by the ASA at a hall in Irvine. This hall is made available by the local council for all types of community bookings, including hosting parties which permit meat and alcohol. For each monthly Diwan, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj's Saroop would be taken to the hall from Nithsdale Road Gurdwara, Glasgow (40 miles away from hall).
Guru Ji's Saroop going to such a hall is in direct violation of the spirit of Akaal Takhat Sahib's 1998 Hukumnaama (an edict from the Sikhs' supreme authority and policy-making body), which states that Guru Ji's Saroop must not be taken to a place such as a hotel, hall, banqueting suite, club, pub, bar etc., where full Satkaar (respect) cannot be given to Guru Ji's Saroop in accordance with Sikh Maryada (traditions and customs).
Matters in Irvine were further complicated due to the fact that there was a split in the local Sangat. Even though a Gurdwara had been recently established only a mile away from the hall, due to local issues, members of the ASA refused to attend the Irvine Gurdwara. Despite attempts to develop a constructive dialogue with the ASA and with the Glasgow Gurdwara from where Guru Ji's Saroop was brought, a deadlock developed, which lasted for over a month. Satkaar Sevadaars then learned of a planned Diwan at the hall on Sunday 30 January 2011. With Guru Ji's blessings, concerned members of the UK Sangat from across the length and breadth of the UK went to Scotland with the aim of explaining to the members of the ASA, with nimartaa (humility) and love, the reasons why they were so insistent that the scheduled programme should not take place.
A meeting between Satkaar Sevadaars, representatives of the ASA and the local Gurdwara members in Irvine was arranged at short notice on Saturday 29 January. Following several rounds of discussions, Guru Ji showered their blessings and the ASA agreed to cancel the planned programme at the hall on Sunday 30 January, and it also agreed that no such future events would take place at the community hall. Satkaar Sevadaars also encouraged the ASA and local Gurdwara members in Irvine to set aside any personal differences and work together collectively for the Chardikalaa of the Khaalsa Panth, and for the full Satkaar of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj.
Needless to say, this is an extremely positive outcome and one which has come about by Guru Ji's blessings and the collective unity of the UK Sangat in supporting the Satkaar Campaign, as well as the willingness of the majority of Sikhs in Irvine to set aside any personal differences and to come together as ONE to prevent any sacrilege which might have otherwise occurred. Satkaar Sevadaars' Ardaas (prayer) to Guru Ji is that this spirit of Panthic Ektaa (unity and brotherhood) grows stronger by the day in the local Irvine and UK-wide Sangat.
As has been the case in all relevant Gurdwaras with which it has liaised, Satkaar Sevadaars made an offer to assist in Parchaar (propagation of the Sikh faith) and to provide resources and materials to the Sikh community in Irvine. The offer was accepted and the Satkaar Campaign is intending to arrange a Gurmat Camp in Irvine in the near future.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
