WMSikhSoc

Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Ki Fateh, Three beautiful souls have left us and it feels as though Wolverhampton will never be the same again. These Gursikhs dedicated their lives to Guru Jee and may Maharaj now shower His strength and love on their families and friends. Below are a few photos of Harvey at this year's charity bike ride. He was so enthusiastic and i remember him being right at the front, focused and full of energy! He was the type of Singh who would make you smile as soon as you see him and defiently a face you couldn't forget. SO much prem and sharda and we all saw him and his friends as the future of the panth. (Harvey's the second rider. I remember him telling us that he had done a spontaneous 30mile ride just the day before! We all thought he was crazy as everyone else was resting up for the big day, but such was his character there was no stopping our little brother!) (Harvinder Singh on our far right. He didnt even looked tired at the end! Whenever you saw our little veer he usually had at least one headphone in listening to dhadi or bani.) There are a few more photos of the singhs: Here Some of these are taken from the kids camp just last weekend. A truely sad loss for the Sikh Panth. Dhan Guru Dhan Guru pyare

VJKK VJKF The photos from the bike ride are up on the net! Please check out: www.boss-uk.org/photos It was a truly amazing day. Maharaj blessed us with a beautiful Hukamnama before we set off and everyone rode with such pyar and dedication it really was a blessing to be a part of the day. We are still collecting all the sponsors in but we should have raised at least £7,500 which is an amazing amount! May Guru Ji bless all the riders that took part... Each and every one of them went above and beyond what was asked of them. What a great way to commemorate Guru Ji's shaheedi 400years ago Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Birmingham to Leicester Sponsored Charity Bike Ride 2006! Sunday 18th June Come Challenge yourself! 400 years ago Guru Arjan Dev Jee, the beloved fifth Guru of the Sikh faith sacrificed his life in order to uphold the values of truth, equality and freedom of expression. His actions were truly courageous and inspiring to all. In an endeavor to pay a small tribute to the first Sikh martyr and to encourage us to sacrifice a little of our time, energy and good will in homage to Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s ultimate sacrifice: BOSS, Midlands Sikh Societies and Young Sikhs Leicester in conjunction with National Bike Week and the local police authorities have come together to support some great causes and have some good-natured fun in the process! This exciting event will support, raise awareness and provide equipment to a couple of great charities. The Gurseva project work tirelessly to assist orphaned children in northern India and in addition to this a local charity will also benefit. (tbc) Leaving bright and early on Sunday 18th June we’ll begin our trek from Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Gurdwara in sunny old Leicester! Enjoy the picturesque journey and feel the satisfaction of playing your part in helping those less fortunate than ourselves and sacrificing a little of your time and energy in memory of that great sacrifice made by our Guru. All we ask from you is that you come equipped with a road-worthy bike (no pindu style condition please!) a turban or helmet, loads of enthusiasm, some generous sponsors and most of all be ready for a bundle of laughs (and a bit of sweat!) on the way! Anyone and everyone is welcome. People of all abilities, aged from 14-101 years old! Instead of the usual Sunday sipping tea with uncle and aunty or surfing the net, come out, enjoy the sun, relish the company and do something worthwhile! At the end all participants will receive a t-shirt that your mates will envy, a shiny medal and a certificate so you can prove you completed the challenge! Riders will gain a free entry to a prize draw and there will be a wicked prize for the guy or gal who raises the most money! So if you can ride a bike and want to make a little difference, while getting fit and having fun in the process then what are you waiting for?? Fill in the application form, add your £10 entrance fee and send it off before the 31st May and be a part of this amazing event. It is limited to only 100 participants so if you wanna be part of the exclusive network of bikers than hurry up and get those forms in! Check out the sites below for more information… Happy cycling! www.boss-uk.org www.youngsikhs.org/bikeride www.bikeweek.org www.gurseva.org Admin could we have this as a sticky please? Thank you! :TH:

PRESS RELEASE -FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- ARSON Attack on Wolverhampton Sikh Gurdwara. Local priests in narrow escape 20th April 2006 Bilston, West Midlands - Three Sikh Priests were led to safety last night following an arson attempt on a Sikh Gurdwara in Bilston. The emergency services were called out just before 0100 BST to put out fires started using two large bins placed in front of the two doors of the Temple. Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Arthur Street is close to Bilston town centre and was attacked in what is thought to have been a racially motivated act of violence. Local residents are reported to have seen three youths running away from the Gurdwara and alerted the fire crew accordingly. The prompt response of the residents played a large part in saving the lives of the three men. Two fires were started at separate parts of the Temple. The main worship room was saved from the fire by the aluminum shutters in place in front of the main entrance of the Gurdwara itself. The second fire burned through a side door where it spread into the communal kitchens and onto the second floor on which the priests sleeping quarters are situated. Initial estimates place the cost of damages caused by the attack at around £20,000. The three priests were treated for smoke inhalation and shock. Two of the priests have spoken to local residents about the trauma caused to them as a result of the arson attack. Gianni (Priest) Manohar Singh explained that although there have been incidents of racial abuse in the past, nothing was as severe as this attack, “We have received verbal and physical abuse from youths before but nothing of this level…I don’t understand what we have done to deserve this. How will be sleep at night now?” The second Priest, Gianni Tirath Singh feared for his life after he awoke to the fire burning throughout the Gurdwara. While speaking with local residents he exclaimed : “I could see nothing but smoke around me, I couldn’t breathe and thought that this is it, we were going to die for sure.” West Midlands Police are treating the crime as a suspected arson attack and appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information they may have by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Since 9/11 and the recent London bombings there has been an increased number of attacks on the local Sikh community in the area. Community leaders and multi faith networks are aware of the situation and are providing their full support. The community is devastated by the recent incident. -30-

PRESS RELEASE -FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- ARSON Attack on Wolverhampton Sikh Gurdwara. Local priests in narrow escape 20th April 2006 Bilston, West Midlands - Three Sikh Priests were led to safety last night following an arson attempt on a Sikh Gurdwara in Bilston. The emergency services were called out just before 0100 BST to put out fires started using two large bins placed in front of the two doors of the Temple. Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Arthur Street is close to Bilston town centre and was attacked in what is thought to have been a racially motivated act of violence. Local residents are reported to have seen three youths running away from the Gurdwara and alerted the fire crew accordingly. The prompt response of the residents played a large part in saving the lives of the three men. Two fires were started at separate parts of the Temple. The main worship room was saved from the fire by the aluminum shutters in place in front of the main entrance of the Gurdwara itself. The second fire burned through a side door where it spread into the communal kitchens and onto the second floor on which the priests sleeping quarters are situated. Initial estimates place the cost of damages caused by the attack at around £20,000. The three priests were treated for smoke inhalation and shock. Two of the priests have spoken to local residents about the trauma caused to them as a result of the arson attack. Gianni (Priest) Manohar Singh explained that although there have been incidents of racial abuse in the past, nothing was as severe as this attack, “We have received verbal and physical abuse from youths before but nothing of this level…I don’t understand what we have done to deserve this. How will be sleep at night now?” The second Priest, Gianni Tirath Singh feared for his life after he awoke to the fire burning throughout the Gurdwara. While speaking with local residents he exclaimed : “I could see nothing but smoke around me, I couldn’t breathe and thought that this is it, we were going to die for sure.” West Midlands Police are treating the crime as a suspected arson attack and appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information they may have by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Since 9/11 and the recent London bombings there has been an increased number of attacks on the local Sikh community in the area. Community leaders and multi faith networks are aware of the situation and are providing their full support. The community is devastated by the recent incident. -30-

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh This week he is in the West Midlands. Not sure of the exact details but he is at thaat Gurdwara, Wolverhampton tomorrow (wednesday 19th April) and at Sedgley Street on Thursday and Sunday He did keertan seva tonight at sedgley Street and sounds just like he did all those years ago... If anyone wishes to listen to kirtan the old-skool ragi style, who sings with pyaar and commands great presence then definetly try to listen to Bhai Chattar Singh Ji! Check out the kirtan section for some samples of his kirtan... Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh Fantastic seva. Keep up the good work! Luckily for us Bhai Chattar Singh Ji is in the UK. This week he is in the West Midlands. Not sure of the exact details but he is at thaat Gurdwara, Wolverhampton tomorrow (wednesday 19th April) and at Sedgley Street on Thursday and Sunday He did keertan seva tonight at sedgley Street and sounds just like he did all those years ago... If anyone wishes to listen to kirtan the old-skool ragi style, who sings with pyaar and commands great presence then definetly try to listen to Bhai Chattar Singh Ji! Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

BUMP! Young sikh and confused?? Make sure you make it to Aston Uni tomorro for Sikhi Bitesize's first event! See you there :TH:

Looks really good! A whole week of unmissable events... Any chance it can be a made a sticky admin? Good luck with the week! :lol:

GuruFateh Veer jee, Just wanted to say thank you once again for your performance at wolverhampton as part of Sikhi Week. :TH: The feedback we got from the students was incredibly positive and everyone was blown away by your work... We all believe you do much more seva then we could ever hope to achieve. Pease please carry on with the great work! You are not too old at all and your work just continues to rise in standard, even when it seems inpossible that it can! Please, if there is anthing we can do to help you do not hesitate to ask... We would love to be of service to a talented Singh like yourself. Best wishes in everything you do... Vaheguru

BUMP This rememberance event is TOMORROW 3.30 - 7pm Chamberlain Square Bham City Centre Come along to pay your respects and show in unity that we still remember...

I think the 100plus crowd from West Midland's Sikh Societies who turned out to watch Sody perform would fully agree with the comments of Randip Singh. It was a great success and the play itself was funny, energetic and defiently thought-provoking for all. THe charity cash wash was unfortunatly postponed due to the weather (torrential downpours washed away any efforts of cleaning on the sangats part!) Weather permitting the charity car wash is scheduled for next Sunday: 13th November. Please come along to partake in some seva and raise money for the worthy cause of the terrible south asia earthquake... Today is the talk at UCE on Sikh Identity... A really topical and relevant discussion for today. Dr Gurnam Singh from the University of Coventry will be leading the event so please come along... Thats: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT? University of Central England (UCE) 6pm AO42 (Attwood building)

West Midland's Sikhi Week presents... SOUL SIKHER A powerful new comedy by the makers of Sikhs In The City SATURDAY 5th NOV ARENA THEATRE: WOLVERHAMPTOM 7.30pm onwards Tickets: £6.50 Ring: 07740 823103 / 07974 647772 to purchase tickets... Please take some time out to support a Singh who dedicates so much time to promoting Sikhi as well as enjoying a hilarious and thought-provoking evening... See you there!!

Maybe a solution to the 'clashing problem' is already there. The charity car wash (raisning money for the South Asia earthquake) starts from 9am. The very latest it will finish is 1pm. To my knowledge the Sikhs in the Square event is from 1.30 - 4.30pm so im sure if people wish to attend both they can leave wolverhampton around 12pm and still make it on time? So in reality they don't really clash that much Also the reason the Charity Car Wash was organised for the Sunday as opposed the Saturday is simply because there is MUCH MORE SANGAT on the Sunday and thus the potential to raise more money for charity. Hope this helps clear any misconceptions up? PS: Remember as part of Sikhi Week the youth of Birmingham have organised a candle-lit rememberance in memory of the attrocities in India on Sikhs. This will be from 3.30pm to 7pm at Chamberlain Square in Birmingham City Centre. BACK to today's events.... GURU'S LANGAR ON CAMPUS: 11am - 3pm People from London, Nottingham, Leicester and the like will be attending, along with an estimated 3000 students all coming to experience the Sikh way of life, Guru Nanak Dev Ji style! Also FOOD FOR THE SOUL: 6pm - 8pm Keertan in the Marquee afterwards... All are welcome to sample a little taster of Sikh Spirituality!!

The talk at Aston University was a great success and a good way to kick off Sikhi Week. Tomorrow is the highlight of the week... GURU'S LANGAR ON CAMPUS For details of the event, see one of the past posts... The other major thing is FOOD FOR THE SOUl: Keertan on campus It will be from 6-8pm in the marquee right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of campus life. We're hoping to spread a little bit of spirituality across the evening so please please do your best to attend Thats: Food For the Soul 6-8pm In the Marquee University of Birmingham

Sikhi Week kicks off TODAY!!! Make sure you're all at Aston University for 2pm... No excuses! (Unless you live in a different country that is!!) :TH: "THE ONE"

To celebrate the birth of our first Guru, Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji: West Midland's Sikhi Week, in conjunction with the University of Birmingham presents... Guru's Langar on Campus! Voted "BEST STUDENT EVENT 2004" by the University of Birmingham This year with the Grace of Guru Nanak Dev Jee we hope to recreate the success of last year and spread the ideals of our first Guru through this unique concept of Free Food... Last year we served over 2000 students across all races, backgrounds and countries. The atmosphere was electric and the feedback we got from many people was that the marquee on that day felt like "heaven on earth..." Can you really afford to miss out on such a unique experience? Langar will be served from 11am - 3pm. We need as many people there as possible to help with Seva required and answer the questions of the inquisitive sangat that are amazed by the Sikh faith. To check out the photos from last year go to http://www.boss-uk.org/photos/ Make sure your there on Thursday. Also Keertan Darbar in the Marquee afterwards from 6-8pm, so even for those of you who are stuck at work all day, you can come and enjoy the fruits of the sangat afterwards... Come and join in with singing the praises of the Guru in the middle of the hustle bustle of student campus life, in the midst of a beautiful setting Contact: 07740 823103 Email: wmsikhsocs@gmail.com

The same dedication and hard work is being put into this year event by the same people who made it such a great success last year around. It is organised by groups of concerned individuals who wish to make a difference and spread the sadness of the injustices on the Sikh community to people regardless of race and colour who may also be moved by the hurt of our community. The Candle-lit vigil itself is also one of the events of Sikhi Week... We thought it would be great to team up with the united front of these Gursikhs and raise as much awareness as possible, especially within the student communities. Please please try your best to come. Say a prayer, light a candle, and show the world that we haven't forgotten... Next Tuesday (8th Nov) Chamberlain Square (outside the library) Birmingham City Centre 3.30-7pm Organised by all concerned Sikhs

Check out the details below to find out whats in store... “The ONE” Aston University Weds 2nd Nov 2-5pm. To kick start the week, a great spiritual professor, Bhai Vir Jee, will be leading a discussion on Guru Nanak Dev Jee, the founder of the Sikh faith and the inspiration behind this year’s Sikhi Week. Make sure your there to experience an enlightening encounter of a unique kind! Gurus' Langar on Campus University of Birmingham Thursday 3rd Nov 11-4pm Voted best student event of 2004, this year we’re hoping to surpass the revolution that hit the campus of bham last year. In celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday we shall we serving free food to anyone and everyone and offering a truly Sikh experience to all. With a huge marquee in the middle of campus you can’t miss it so make sure your there… Over 2000 other people will be! Food for the Soul University of Birmingham Thursday 3rd Nov 6-9pm To continue the party atmosphere of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday we will be getting together in the evening to sing the praises of our creator. With the sun setting on the campus after a truly unique day, there is guaranteed to be a reflective and peaceful atmosphere in the midst of all the hustle of campus life. Join the Keertan in the marquee and stick around for the fireworks display at the end! Soul Sikher Arena Theatre: Wolverhampton. Saturday 5th Nov 7.30pm start Join us for an exclusive Sikh Soc showing of the biggest play to hit the town this year. Watch out for laughs, fun and pindu jokes along the way… Make sure you don’t fall out of your seat in laughter! But hurry, tickets are selling as fast as mum’s proatae on a Sunday morning so ring 07974 647772 to make sure you’re not left disappointed! (Tickets £6.50 members/ £8 non-members) Charity Car Wash Guru Nanak Gurdwara car park, Sedgley Street, Wolverhampton Sunday 6th Nov 9am start To raise money for the tragic earthquake that hit South Asia this month, us students will be getting together to raise some much needed money as well as leaving auntia happy with gleaming new cars! Join us to help out and partake in some true Seva as our first Guru instructed us to do… Dare to be Different… The University of Central England Monday 7th Nov 6-9pm With the world turned upside down by recent acts of terrorism and religious debates springing up everywhere, join us for some interesting debate on where we, as Sikhs stand in today’s ever-changing society. Professor Gurnam Singh from the University of Coventry will head this hot topic of debate so make sure you’re there to help us define our identity and role as the future of tomorrow. Flames of Justice Birmingham City Centre: Chamberlain Square Tuesday 8th Nov 4-7pm As an act of remembrance, the Sikh community will be holding a candlelit vigil to mark the killing of thousands of Sikhs across India from the 80’s until the present. To this date even after the findings of the latest commission, no one has been prosecuted for the organisation of this horror and 21 years on the Sikh’s still await justice. Join us to light a candle of hope and say a prayer for all those souls awaiting peace. Sikh-ing Meditation The University of Wolverhampton Wednesday 9th November 2-4pm This event will be an interactive workshop on the art of Sikh meditation. An experienced teacher, Bhai Jujhar Singh who has a regular meditation class at Birmingham Uni will lead an introductory session that will equip participants with the necessary techniques to begin practicing meditation as a part of daily life. For further details check out www.boss-uk.org or email wmsikhsocs@boss-uk.org for more details... Make sure you're there!!

Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh! Great news about the success of KCL's Sikh Soc event... If anyone is interested in watching the same play then the West Midland's Sikh Soc's are having a private showing at the Wolverhampton University's Arena Theatre As part of Sikhi Week! It's on Saturday 5th November at 7.30 and you can get tickets at a discounted price by ringing 07974 647 772 or email at wmsikhsocs@boss-uk.org But hurry! Tickets are going fast! WM Sikhi Week: 2nd-9th November... Watch this space for details!