SIKHS UNIQUE IDENTITY

SIKHS UNIQUE IDENTITY By : GURMIT SINGH

By the Grace of Almighty God, the Supreme True Entity

At the outset, let it be made clear that "Sikhs" neither fall within the category of the Hindus or Muslims, nor are they associated with the Afghani Taliban or Osama Bin Laden. Among the major religions of the world, "Sikhism" is the one whose followers are known as "Singhs" all over the world. Although the majority of the Sikhs live in Punjab, the northern state of India, they could be sighted almost in all the major countries. According to the "2002 Encyclopaedia Britannica Book of the Year", world population of the Sikhs is "23.538" millions (Mid – 2001) as reproduced below: "ASIA" (Punjab, India, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, etc.) = 22,689,000 "NORTHERN AMERICA" (Canada, USA) = 535,000 "EUROPE" (UK, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, etc.) = 241,000 "AFRICA" (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, etc.) = 54,400 "OCEANIA" (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, PNG, etc.) = 18,500

Adherents of the seven major religions are: (1) Christians = 2,019,052,000; (2) Muslims = 1,207,148,000; (3) Hindus = 819,689,000; (4) Chinese folk religionists = 387,167,000; (5) Buddhists = 361,986,000; (6) Sikhs = 23,538,000 and (7) Jews = 14,484,000. [Despite UN Charter, Sikhs don’t have any independent country]

Sikhs in Australia: On the basis of the Census held on 7th August 2001, there are "17,401" Sikhs in Australia. Although population of the Sikhs in Australia makes them an insignificant minority, they have established Gurduaras - (Sikh Congregation Halls) from Cairns to Perth. They not only work as highly skilled professionals in the Research Institutions, Universities, Hospitals, Railways, Government Offices, but also are well established as Sugarcane farmers in Cairns, Banana & Fruit Plantations in Woolgoolga, Griffith, Shepparton, Riverland, etc. They are also engaged in various small-scale businesses, including Taxis, Hotel and Catering industry, etc. The Sikhs, like, bunch of different fresh flowers, have adjusted well and living as most law abiding citizens of Australia as well as of other adopted countries.

Identifying the Sikhs: Although there is no "DNA" test for determining any person’s religion, all religions do prescribe certain basic principles so dear to the Founders of their respective Faiths. However, the Litmus test to identity a "Sikh" could be applied if a person meets the following requirements: Any person who faithfully believes in – (1) One Immortal Supreme Entity – (Sikhs call God as "Akaal Purkh or Waheguru); (2) Ten Sikh Gurus (1469 - 1708) - from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib; (3) The Guru Granth Sahib containing Gurbaani - (Sikhs’ Sacred Hymns - the Revealed Divine Word); (4) Teachings and Utterances of the Sikh Gurus; (5) The Baptism – (Initiation by Amrit ceremony) bequeathed by the Tenth Guru; (6) Keeping up the uncut long hair, beards and moustaches and with Turban on head for males and scarf for the females; (7) Equality of all Sikhs without any caste, class, colour, creed, gender, profession, race or region, and Who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a "SIKH". Hence, a Sikh is an ideal person having unique character & identity.

Equal Treatment: By virtue of the Australian Constitution, Federal and States Laws, there is hardly any discrimination based on any person’s appearance, colour, disability, language or religion. All the citizens of Australia deserve and enjoy equal opportunity and rights. However, after the aircraft crash in New York and Washington on 11th September 2001, every Sikh having Turban and Kirpan in a baldric are looked upon as security risk, as if they are Afghani Taliban or associated with Osama Bin Laden, who may have engineered the said destruction. Prima-facie, it shows ignorance of some troublemakers. We are living in the civilized 21st Century and there are laws to deal with criminals and other offenders. Irrespective of any ones appearance or religion if any person commits any offence, local Police has every right to investigate and then initiate court proceedings. If found guilty, Courts pronounce judgements by according suitable punishment. Hence, no hooligan should harass any person. All the citizens should be treated with courtesy and respect. Remember, as Allied Forces, Sikhs fought bravely during World War I & II and since then they have also been serving as UN Peace Keeping Forces by maintaining their unique Sikh Identity.

In Oct 1997, Queen Elizabeth had also visited the Sikhs’ Holiest Shrine – "Darbaar Sahib" Amritsar. Founder of the Sikh Religion: Guru Nanak Sahib (1469 – 1539) is the Founder of the Sikh Faith. He was followed by nine successors (from 1539 to 1708 CE), namely, Guru Angad Sahib, Guru Amardas Sahib, Guru Ramdas Sahib, Guru Arjun Sahib, Guru Hargobind Sahib, Guru Har-Rai Sahib, Guru Harkishan Sahib, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The main task of establishing an independent Sikh religion was originated by Guru Nanak Sahib, which was accomplished by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, who ordained the present distinctive identity of the Sikhs. Sikhs ruled Punjab - (1764 - 1849). Concept of One God – Akaal Purkh/Waheguru: In the Preamble/Prologue to the Sikhs’ Sacred Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib – (Spiritual and Temporal Enlightener), it is mentioned that: God is the One Immortal Supreme Entity – the Sole Creator. The Creator is Eternal Reality – the Everlasting Truth. The Creator is doer of the entire Universe and the whole Cosmos. The Creator, Almighty Supreme Authority is not afraid of anyone. The Creator is without any enmity – i. e. Malice towards none. The Creator, Invisible Entity is Formless and Timeless. The Creator is beyond birth and death but Ever Existent Entity self - illumined. The Creator’s Grace could be realized by practicing the Revealed Divine Word. According to God’s Will, let us live in peace.

Sikhs’ Broad Beliefs: Everyday Sikhs worship the Almighty God by remembering the Creator’s bounties. The Sikhs are ever impressed upon to work with dedication and honesty as well as to assist the needy. They always believe in the well being of the whole world. Sikhism believes in equality and it does not recognize any caste, class, colour, gender, profession, race, region or religion distinction because we all are children of the same One God, who is our Creator, Protector and Saviour. Sikhs believe in married life, and they neither smoke nor drink, nor indulge in any intoxication or gambling, etc. Truthful living is a highest virtue. Guru Granth Sahib and Gurduaras: Gurduara Sahib is the sacred place of the Sikhs. In all the Gurduaras established all over the world, the Sikhs’ Sacred Scripture known as Guru Granth Sahib is kept open daily in the main Congregation Hall. These are open to all the persons without any distinction provided a person entering the Gurduara Complex should neither possess nor be under the influence of alcohol, cigarettes or any other narcotics. Person must keep covering ones head with turban or scarf but should not wear cap, hat or helmet, and take off shoes while entering the Congregation Hall. Then kneel down and bow before the Guru Granth Sahib. If you wish, present voluntary contribution in a humble way and then sit down on the carpet without any disturbance and listen to Katha and Kirtan - (recitation and singing of the Sacred Hymns). Essence of few Hymns are given below for your general information and guidance: Though art the Creator, from Thee all doing flows. Truth is higher, but still higher is truthful living. The conquest of one’s mind (i.e. to subdue ego and control worldly desires) equal to the conquest of the world. Why revile women who give birth to the Kings and all human beings. Sweetness and humility are the essence of all virtues. Thou art our only Father, we are only Thy Children. Selfless service of humanity is true worship of God. A person, who earns livelihood by honest means and shares with the needy, has truly recognized the right way of life. All being children of God, so whom shall we call better and whom bad? The world is on fire. O’ God! Save it Thou in Thy Mercy. We are estranged with no one; nor is any one a stranger unto us. Do all your work with mind, hands and feet but always keep your mind attuned to God. God will not ask a person of what caste, colour, race or religion he/she belongs but the Creator will ask what good deeds have you performed. First, God created Light, and from it were all universe created. Yea, from God’s Light came the whole world, then who shall we call noble, and whom inferior. The clay is the same, but the Creator shaped the Creation in innumerable forms. Neither is the clay-vessel (human being) defective nor the Potter – the Lord.

Sikhs’ Surnames: Last name of all the Sikhs is "Singh" for males and "Kaur" for females. So they can be addressed as "Mr. Singh or Ms. Kaur". But the whole Sikh Community is collectively known as the Khalsa - Panth. Like Jews/East Timorese, the Sikh Nation continues to aspire for an independent State since 1849. Sikhs’ Slogan and Salutation: When a Sikh meets another Sikh, they greet each other with folded hands and say: Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh – The Khalsa belongs to the Wondrous Almighty God, who is ever Glorious/Victorious. But Slogan at the end of daily Congregations as well as at the time of all Sikhs’ gatherings or historical events is: "Jo Boley, So Nihal – Satt Siri Akaal: Hail the True Supreme Immortal Entity. Sikhs’ Prayer ends with: "Nanak saith! Through the Divine Word, May we have ever high spirits; and O’ True Lord by Your Grace, May entire humankind prosper and live in harmony and peace".

WHO IS A SIKH ? In the light of "Gurbaani enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib" and the "SIKH REHT MARYADA" propagated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, why not be more clear and specific that: Any person, who faithfully believes in – i. One Immortal Supreme Entity – Akaal Purkh / Karta Purkh / Waheguru, ii. Ten Sikh Gurus - from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, iii. The Guru Granth Sahib containing the Revealed Divine Word, iv. The teachings and utterances of the Sikh Gurus, v. The Baptism - (Initiation by Amrit ceremony) bequeathed by the tenth Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, vi. To keep up the uncut long hair, beard, moustaches, and with Turban on head for the males and scarf for the females, vii. Equality amongst all the Sikhs without any caste, clan, class, colour, creed, gender, profession, race, region, status, tribe, and Who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.

TO AVOID ANY CONTROVERSY, ‘SeHAJDHARI SIKH’ means a person – i. Who professes Sikh Religion, believes in one God, follows the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and the Ten Sikh Gurus; ii. Who performs all ceremonies according to the Sikh Reht Maryada; iii. Who neither smokes nor eats kutha (Halal Meat) in any forms; iv. Who does not take alcoholic drinks; v. Who is not born in a Sikh family, but not a Patit. "PATIT" means a Sikh who trims or shaves his beard or hair (keshas) or who after taking Amrit commits any one or more of the four Kurahits.

"FOUR KURAHITS" - The under mentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided: 1. Dishonouring the hair / beard / moustaches / eyebrows; 2. Eating the halal meat of an animal slaughtered by way of any ritual; 3. Cohabiting with a person other than one’s spouse; 4. Consuming tobacco and alcoholic drinks. {All Sikh families are requested to take care of their Sikhi image and maintain their unique identity by following the "Gurbaani & Gurmatt"}

Reference

GURMIT SINGH, 9 – HAMLIN STREET, QUAKERS HILL, NSW 2763, AUSTRALIA - (Tel/Fax No. 61 - 2 – 9837 2787)