Baba Fareed Ji’s mother, Bibi Mariam, said to her son as a very young child, “Oh my son, do simran (meditate on the Lord)”. As any innocent child, Baba Fareed Ji would ask, “Ma, if I do Simran, then what will I get in return.” His mother replied, “The people who do Simran, God gives those people sweets to eat.”

Children are drawn to eat sweets and love to eat them. Baba Fareed Ji would cross his legs, close his eyes and do Simran. His mother would put some sweets in to a bowl and put it front of him. Baba Fareed Ji would open his eyes after doing simran and see the sweets in front of him. “Look ma, God has given me sweets to eat.” He would then happily eat the sweets and his mother would look at him and smile.

Baba Fareed Ji looked forwards to doing Simran and being rewarded with sweets by God. For a time he would keep doing Simran and his mother would each time put sweets in front of him and when he closed his eyes so that when he opened his eyes, he could eat them.

But one day Baba Fareed Ji, opened his eyes and didn’t look at the sweets. He didn’t eat the sweets but still looked happy and content. His mother asked, “Fareed, today you haven’t eaten the sweets God has given you.” Baba Fareed Ji answered, “O Ma, once you taste the Name of God, then all other sweets in the world taste bland.”

‘Fareeda, sakar khand nivaath gur, maakiyau maanjhaa dudh. Sabhey vastoo miteeyaa(n) rab naa pujan tudh…’

Fareed: sugar cane, candy, sugar, molasses, honey and buffalo’s milk – all these things are sweet, but they are not equal to You (Waheguru)’ (Ang 1379, SGGS).

When we praise Baba Fareed Ji, we always praise his mother. With a little incentive of giving sweets, we can see the blessings bestowed on Baba Fareed Ji.

Do today’s mothers give their children sweets to eat? Yes they do! Three times a day mothers give their children different types of sweet foods and sweet dishes to eat.

But today’s mothers don’t say,
“If you wake up and say ‘Waheguru’ and going to sleep say ‘Waheguru, then you can have sweets.”
“First say ‘fateh’ to your grandparents and then I will give you your sweets.”
“I’ll give you sweets, if you come with me to do the Gurdwara and help me do some sewa.”

Irishman Max Arthur Macauliffe (1841-1913)

A hundred years ago, on 15 March 1913, one of the first western scholars of the Sikhs died at his home in Kensington, London, reciting verses by Guru Nanak.

Irishman Max Arthur Macauliffe (1841-1913) was a civil servant in India before becoming a prolific scholar and author who gained renown for his groundbreaking translations into English of Sikh scripture and history.

So intrigued was he by the message contained within the Guru Granth Sahib, he retired his well-paid post as a divisional judge in Amritsar to pursue the mammoth task ahead of him.

In a lecture delivered at the annual session of the Lahore Singh Sabha, Macauliffe proclaimed that the Guru Granth was ‘matchless’ as a book of holy teachings.

Incredibly, some commentators even believe that he adopted the Sikh way in the 1860s – indeed, his personal assistant remarked in his memoirs that on his death bed at his home at 10 Sinclair Gardens, Kensington, Macauliffe was heard reciting the Sikh morning prayer, ‘Japji Sahib’ ten minutes before he passed away.

~ Source: Sikh Discover Inspire

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a formal apology in his country’s House of Commons for an incident that took place more than a century ago.

In mid-May 1914, the Komagata Maru, a Japanese steamship, arrived in Vancouver after leaving Hong Kong in early April. On board were 376 passengers, most of whom were Sikh migrants from what was then British India. The ship was not allowed to dock.

For our indifference to your plight.
For our failure to recognize all that you had to offer.
For the laws that discriminated against you, so senselessly.
And for not formally apologizing sooner.
For all these things, we are truly sorry.
-Justin Trudeau, Prime, Minister of Canada

A 1908 Canadian law at the time forbade arrivals in the country who did not make a “continuous journey” from their nation of birth or citizenship. In an era when hundreds of thousands of white European immigrants were settling in Canada, the law was seen as a measure to stymie Indian arrivals because it was practically impossible to travel directly from the Indian mainland to North America.
In a challenge to the rules, the Komagata Maru, chartered by a Sikh businessman with ties to an influential Sikh political party in the Americas, steamed across the Pacific. Its arrival in Canada was anticipated by doom-mongering local headlines, which warned of an impending “Hindu invasion.”

Sir Richard McBride, then the Conservative premier of British Columbia, made clear the explicit racism of Canada’s policies on the night the Komagata Maru reached Vancouver.

“To admit Orientals in large numbers would mean the end, the extinction of the white people,” he said. “And we always have in mind the necessity of keeping this a white man’s country.”

After an almost two-month standoff, which also involved feisty demonstrations by ethnic Indians on Vancouver’s shores, the ship was eventually turned away. When it reached Calcutta, now Kolkata, in India, British colonial authorities attempted to seize suspected Sikh radicals on board. The semi-riot that ensued saw security forces kill at least 19 passengers and arrest many others.

The incident is a reminder, particularly for Canada’s considerable Sikh population, of the widespread discrimination and bigotry meted out on Indians and other Asians on the west coast of the Americas a century ago.

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise in this House to offer an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada, for our role in the Komagata Maru incident,” Trudeau began at the end of Question Time in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

“Today – while knowing that no words can fully erase the pain and suffering experienced by the passengers – I offer a sincere apology on behalf of the government for the laws in force at the time that allowed Canada to be indifferent to the plight of the passengers of the Komagata Maru,” he said.

“Canada cannot solely be blamed for every tragic mistake that occurred with the Komagata Maru and its passengers. But Canada’s government was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented these passengers from immigrating peacefully and securely. For that, and for every regrettable consequence that followed, we are sorry,” Trudeau concluded, to a standing ovation in the chamber.

~ Source: thestar.com

It is said that Guru Gobind Singh ji came here(Shikaar Ghat, Nanded, Maharashtra, India) following the chase (shikar) and killed a rabbit which in a former birth had been Bhai Moola, who belonged to Sialkot (now in Pakistan). He had once accompanied Guru Nanak Dev ji during his travels. Once when Guru Nanak Dev ji went to visit him, Moola (on the request of his wife) avoided the Guru and hid himself for fear that the Guru might take him away on another long journey. Sensing this Guru Nanak Dev ji went away, but such is the travesty of fate that Moola died soon after of snakebite.

His wife realising her folly begged Guru Nanak Dev ji for forgiveness. Guru Sahib said he was my Sikh and thus I will surely free him but in my 10th form. Since then his repentant soul had been wandering in different sub-human bodies (joons) until Guru Gobind Singh ji emancipated it (now in the form/joon of a Rabbit) by the touch of his arrow. When questioned by his Siksh why he’d killed an innocent animal, Guru jee explained that it was Bhai Moola and he had liberated his soul.

~ Source: Tuhitu.blogspot.com

Five semi trucks carrying donated goods to help Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees arrived in Alberta’s capital Monday afternoon thanks to the efforts of B.C.’s Sikh community.

The goods were collected by the Lower Mainland Sikh Community before being loaded onto trucks Sunday and brought 1,139 kilometres from Surrey, B.C. to Edmonton. The community had already deployed four trucks to bring clothes, blankets and other supplies to Edmonton earlier this month and says in total, the nine trucks delivered over $1 million worth of goods to Alberta.

“I think this is the Sikh way of life you know – share with the needy people and help the humanity – that’s the core values of Sikhism,” Kulmit Sangha, with the Sikh Federation of Edmonton, said. “I feel very proud and humbled.”

The goods were brought to the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society’s warehouse in the city’s south side.

“The Sikh community came and approached us about them wanting to come and help support us as soon as they found out that Edmonton Emergency Relief Services were going to be helping maintain the relief efforts,” Nicole Geoffroy, media relations for the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society, said. “With the donations that have been coming in we’re going to be sure that we’re going to be able to help get all the basics to them (evacuees) as fast as we can.”

The supplies delivered Monday were collected through a one-day donation campaign in Surrey, Vancouver and Abbotsford on Saturday. Organizers said over 200 volunteers worked to collect, sort and pack the donations. They also said a group of volunteers will be taking a bus from Surrey to Alberta to help those displaced by this month’s massive wildfire in Fort McMurray.

~ Source – Globalnews.ca

Denver will see its first ever Sikh parade later this month as a way to celebrate the culture of a population that is growing in the area.

About 1,000 people are expected to attend the parade and celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 22 at Denver East High School. Free vegetarian food will be available throughout the day.

The parade will start at 1:15 p.m. and run along 16th Avenue from Esplanade Place to Emerson Street and then back down 16th Avenue after a one-block detour onto 17th Avenue. The morning will consist of prayers and music.

Organizers Paul and Gurpreet Juneja said they have explored ways to celebrate their religion and culture. They want to bring more awareness in the community since they said their kids started being bullied at school for their appearance for resembling Muslims.

Gurpreet Juneja said she is against the mocking and dislike of all other religions and wanted to take the opportunity to educate others on the Sikh faith.

“We hope it will bring more awareness and be well received,” Gurpeet Juneja said. “Our kids don’t feel different than other kids until they are treated badly at school.”

The Sikh faith is a monotheistic religion with most of its adherents residing in India. Paul Juneja estimated there are about 500 Sikh families in the Denver area. The religion is known for the men wearing colorful turbans and the fact that Sikhs don’t cut their hair.

Gurpreet Juneja is the only member of her family who immigrated to the United States. Paul Juneja and their two children were born in the United States, yet she said she and her family have had several instances where they were told by some to leave the country amid other insults.

The family attends the Colorado Singh Sabha temple in Commerce City — which is sponsoring the parade — and they will be joined by a seven other Sikh groups from Colorado Springs, Boulder, New Mexico, California and Utah. Pastors from both the Jewish and Christian faiths also will attend.

“This whole thing is being done because of our kids,” Paul Juneja said. “We’re through being a victim and want to take the lead.”

Gurpeet and Paul Juneja approached Denver about holding an event, and a parade was the best suggestion.

Grace Ramirez, spokeswoman for the city’s office of special events, said: “We work closely with city agencies to promote events that bring greater awareness to cultures in our communities.”

Their kids were being bullied so they decide to educate the whole city!

~ Source: Sikhnet

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the annual Turban Up event at Yonge-Dundas Square put on by the Sikh Youth Federation in Toronto.

Since its establishment, the Sikh Youth Federation has dedicated their efforts towards service to the community. For Sikh Canadians, their inclusive initiatives have strengthened the ties between people of all backgrounds.

Today, we gather to celebrate the annual Turban Up event which offers the opportunity for all to experience and embrace the rich Sikhi heritage. Canada derives its strength from our diversity, and as we enjoy today’s festivities and incredible entertainment, let us reflect on the importance of the Sikh community. as part of our diverse society.

Thank you to the organizers of this amazing event and to all of you who are in attendance today. Please accept my warmest welcome and best wishes for a memorable and joyful Turban Up event.

~ Source: Sikh Youth Federation

US President Barack Obama has appointed an Indian-American engineer to a key administration post, the White House said.

Manjit Singh, co-founder of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has been appointed as the member of President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

The announcement came along with several other appointments made by the US President yesterday.

“These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles. I look forward to working with them,” President Obama said in a statement.

President of Agilious, a software technology consulting firm he founded in 2013, Mr Singh is also the co-founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, a national Sikh American media, policy and education organization.

He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and also as a Member-at-Large of The Board of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan in Washington.

Mr Singh received a Master of Science degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Bombay in India.

~ Source: NDTV.com