The Sikhs of France: Difference between revisions

French Sikhs are a tiny minority in France. Numbering about 10,000, most of the Sikhs are based in Bobigny. There is one gurudwara in Bobigny.

Turban ban

French Sikhs have been in the limelight since the 2004 turban ban, banning Sikhs and other religions from sporting a headwear. This has met with anger and world wide protest by the Sikhs. At least five Sikhs wearing turbans or cloth covers for their uncut hair were barred from classrooms near Paris. For 3 years the Sikhs continuously persuaded the authorities to lift the ban on the turban. After no avail the Sikhs opened their own private Sikh school, called Shere Punjab complexe. Currently Shingara Singh Mann is fighting the case for the Sikhs to have a photograph with their turbans for the driving licenses.

Shere Punjab complexe

Shere Punjab complexe is a private Sikh school in Paris. This school was created in the wake of the rule made by French authorities banning any religious symbol including the Sikh Turban. The school costed around 300.000 €, excluding building charges. The Sikh school was built by a local Sikh entrepreneur whose son was excluded from a public school in 2004. The boy had refused to remove his turban in class. The school began with less than 15 pupils.

Gurudwaras

There are 5 gurudwaras in France. All of them are in Paris city.

• Gurudwara Singh Sabha Association, Bobigny.
• Gurudwara Sahib, Bourget.
• Gurudwara Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, Bondy.

Gurmat Camp 2007

From Wednesday 4th July to Sunday 15th July, the Dashmesh Sikh Academy Paris held it's annual Gurmat Camp in Paris at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Bobigny. Around 200 or so children aged from 3 to 20 years old attended the 12 day camp. There were various classes, which included Gurbaani Santhiyaa (learning correct pronunciation), Sikh History, learning Panjabi, Gurmat Sangeet (Sikh musicology), Gurmat Vichaar (discussions on various issues and topics). The classes were held by Giani Pritam Singh jee from Southall, Bhai Ranjit Singh jee from Germany and Bhai Manvir Singh Khalsa (U.K.) were invited to teach the children, as well local elder sevadaars.

Below some photos (Credit for Photos: Bh. Manvir Singh Khalsa (U.K.)

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  Gurudwara Sahib, Bobigny, Paris, France.

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  Every day campers in the morning recited 5 Banian da Paath. A sevadaar would read one line and the children would repeat the same line. Its amazing how children at such a young age who aren't even Amritdhari would sit down for such a long time and recite Baani in the morning.

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  On Sunday 8th July we were invited to Le Bourget Gurdwara Sahib to do Keertan. The Gurdwara was packed with Sangat.

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  Bhai Sukha Singh jee, the Laangree (cook) of the Gurdwara is very Chardikala GurSikh and is a great cook!

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  This is photo of Manvir Singh Khalsa's 10-12 year old class.

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  This is the 3-5 years old class playing games outside.

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  Bhaji Ranjit Singh jee with the elder group practicing Keertan. The morning session with the elder children was usually a discussion led by Bhaji Ranjit Singh jee and Manvir Singh Khalsa (U.K.) on different topics and issues.

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  Boys and girls learned how to tie a Dastaar.

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  Boys and girls learned how to tie a Dastaar.

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  The Langar was Chardikalaa. Bhai Sukha Singh jee, the Laangaree (cook), made different items throughout the day and one day he made Mango Shake!