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Amritdhari Sikh attacked, brutally beaten up by miscreants in Amritsar, while police remained mute spectator Amritsar, Punjab (March 15, 2014): As per media reports a Sikh youth was brutally thrashed on Saturday (March 15) by demonstrators in Amritsar for no apparent reason after he asked for a way to reach to his shop near Bhandari Bridge. Activists of various Dalit organizations were protesting at Bhandari Bridge in support of their demands, including construction of a temple at Ram Teerath. Amritdhari Sikh beaten up badly at Amritsar As per media reports [t]he victim, Jasbir Singh, an Amritdhari Sikh youth, said that he had requested the protesters to let him go to his shop, and without any provocation, he was beaten by some of the Dalit youths. He alleged that they removed his turban off his head and fist cuffed him. They also pulled his hair in the presence of some senior police officials. He rued that none of the policemen came forward to rescue him. He said police should book the culprits and also demanded justice. Notably, police officials, who later reached the spot, misbehaved with the media. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said the incident was brought to his knowledge, and added that he is also aware of the reports of police officials misbehaving with the media. He said that he has instructed the DCP to look into the matter, and assured strict action against the culprits, who had thrashed Jasbir Singh, and the policemen for their negligence, if any. Credits: Sikhsiyasat.net Pictures of Attackers https://m.facebook.com/PunjabSpectrumCom/albums/835216873161574/?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C3264412382

Is this story true as I am still trying to verify if this tape is actual real footage between Sant Baba Isher Singh ji and the so called Suleman the Ghost Link Below shows the whole conversation in English. Very interesting but does anyone have anyone claim to this conversation if it really happened. i heard stories about Baba Isher Singh ji and a lot of positive stories and recordings his followers would sell to sangat (perhaps to scare them?) http://www.rajkaregakhalsa.net/audio/Katha/Sant%20Isher%20Singh%20Ji%20(Rara%20Sahib)/Exorcism%20of%20Suleman%20Ghost/Reincarnation_of_a_ghost_ENG.pdf

(Request for STICKY and left in General Section) We are re-launching new design for SikhVibes.com Come check it out! Check daily for Kirtan, Katha, Video updates and more! Website: www.sikhvibes.com YouTube: SikhVibes Facebook: /SikhVibesDOTcom Twitter: /sikhvibes Email: sikhvibes@gmail.com Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa, Vaheguru ji ki Fateh!!

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ With the Kirpa of Kalgidhar Patshah Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, Tarna Dal and Panjva Takhat Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal Chalda Vahir Chakarvarti will be conducting a Sarbloh Raag Kirtan Darbar on Saturday 15th March 2014 commencing at 2:30pm. All 3 Granths will be Parkash and will also feature talks, workshops and authentic Ranjeet Akhara Shastar Vidiya, all in English. This will be followed by Paath recital from the 3 Granths, and concluded with Raag Kirtan consisting of Dasam & Sarbloh Bani. Location: Baba Sang Gurdwara, 7-9 St Paul's Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1EE. For more information, contact 07453270778 or 07970770782. *WORKSHOPS AND RAAG KIRTAN DARBAR* 2:30PM ONWARDS *WHERE* Baba Sang Gurdwara, 7-9 St Paul's Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1EE. POSTER BELOW Our humble benthi to all the sangat, please try to attend and share / forward this message. ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ www.BudhaDal.org www.TarnaDal.com www.SriSarblohGranthJi.com www.Nanaksar.co.uk

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has been invited by the worlds largest media company, Comcast-NBCUniversal, to help produce and distribute a public service announcement highlighting Sikh Americans. When Comcast-NBCUniversal approached [us], we grew increasingly excited about the possibilities. As President Obama said during his first campaign for the White House, Our destiny is not written for us, but by us, said a SALDEF spokesperson. Telling our story to a mainstream American audience, on national television, is a historic opportunity. SALDEF urges Sikhs around the U.S. to submit videos for consideration for the PSA spots. Home movies or cell phone video is fine showing you doing what you love. What youre good at. What you value. Show yourself driving a motorcycle. Bowling with friends. Volunteering at gurdwara. Working at a bank, running a marathon, feeding a baby, coaching a team, raising a family, riding a horse, jumping out of a plane, driving a cab, driving a Ferrari, or meeting friends for lunch, said a spokesperson. Please submit videos by Mar. 7 here: http://tinyurl.com/k2gmcco. For more information, visit Saldef.org.

Hello all, first time I've ever posted anything but am a long time lurker. I was just wondering if my brothers and sisters here can help me out/give me some advice. I am a first year in university in the UK, I have met a girl who is 1st year in Uni also but in Australia. I am a Sikh from a Sikh Indian Punjabi household and she is agnostic and White. Now my question is what shall I do? I do not know what to tell anyone. I am a very private person and whilst my parents are not overly conservative I know what is "expected of me" ie nice Indian/Sikh/Punjabi kori and such. But honestly I do love this girl and she loves me, this is not some sort of immature/childish fantasy, I know what love is and regardless of anything else I do feel like we are soul mates. I am not interested in the sexual aspect of this relationship- that is immaterial to me, I love her as a person- that she is attractive is rather irrelevant to me. Now Sikhi teaches that once two souls are married they become one, that there is no Sikh/Hindu/Muslim/other that we are all on different paths to the same ultimate goal and as such her religion and mine is immaterial, isn't it? one should respect one's parents and I feel like I am being dishonest and disloyal by keeping such things from them. I am very conflicted, I would very much like to tell them but then I am also aware this could be received less than desirably and there is nothing I wouldn't do for this girl. Am I being a bad son? Am I being a bad Sikh? I would never even think about it but do I ask her to convert (this is strictly against my personal beliefs and against Sikhi, right?)

Every 20 mins the bulletin states: British government confirms they were involved in giving military aid to Indian government that killed 500 Sikh separatists. We need to complain: Where did they get 500? When independent figures go into hundreds and thousands And sikh separatists? What about the innocent women and children? This is a reputable national radio that's stating this..! We should send in letters of complaint asking them to please get their fscts correct nefore broadcasting.

Hi it would be a great help if I could get some response in regards to these questions. I'm writing my Dissertation paper on the turban. 1. what does the turban represent for you personally? 2. How does the pagh determine your personality? (if it doesn't why?) 3. How does it construct your physical appearance? (by wearing a pagh how do you perceive yourself and how do others look at you) 4. whats the style of your pagh? (the way its tied, the style, the colour significance) and why? 5. Is it a cultural and or religious purpose and why? 6. Is there any gender distinctions(differences) in wearing and tieing a pagh? (For example through my observations I noted most men wear a pagh [not necessarily religious] whereas women only wear it for religious reasons, and they mostly cover the pagh with a chunni where as men do not.) What is your take on this difference? All responses and opinions are non judgemental. I would like genuine opinions rather than a definition or generalisations. So feel free to be expressive! :D

Del Singh MEP for South East England, is one of the two Britons killed in Kabul Bomb attack... Two Britons were among 21 victims of a suicide attack at a restaurant in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the Foreign Office says. Simon Chase, from Co Londonderry, and Del Singh, a Labour Party MEP candidate for the South East, were among 13 foreigners and eight Afghans killed. A suicide bomber detonated explosives outside the restaurant on Friday. Two gunmen then went inside and killed people inside "indiscriminately", before being shot dead, officials said. 'Horrific attack' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25788623

Waheguru Here is a great video by Bhai Sohan Singh Seetal

Almost Half-Century Later, Sardar Kapur Singh's Warning Continues to Haunt Sikh Nation SOURCE: http://www.panthic.org/articles/5528 Sardar Kapur Singh, the Sikh parliamentarian, theologian, was a former member of the elite Indian ICS. He was the main architect behind the famed “Anandpur Sahib Resolution” and was an unrelenting critic of the prejudiced policies of India in terms of the Sikh Nation. His famous work "Saachi Sakhi", details the systematic subjugation of the Sikh community after 1947 under the newly founded Indian hegemony. Highly regarded in Panthic circles, Sardar Kapur Singh was bestowed the title "National Professor of Sikhism" by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He would publicly scorn the ineffectual callous Sikh leadership and in his lectures, he would passionately implore the youth to reject this scourge as they had become an obstacle in fulfilling the divine destiny of the Khalsa. On August 23rd, 1968, during a conference organized by the All India Sikh Students Association, at Punjab University, Chandigarh, he uttered the following: “...The Young Khalsa now must actively undertake to deliver the Sikh masses from the slavery of spiritual charlatans, called the sants and the Sikh Panth from the ruinous leadership of incompetent thugs and uneducated hooligans, called the jathedars." These prophetic words of caution uttered by the great Sikh statesman nearly half a century ago, still ring true today, as the people of Punjab for whom Sardar Kapur Singh tirelessly agitated for all his life, seem content shackled by the mental slavery imposed by the current Panthic leadership of spiritual charlatans (sants) and incompetent thugs (jathedars) . SOURCE: http://www.panthic.org/articles/5528

I have a question, how are white Sikh converts received in Sikh community at large?

We all know how Congress and BJP are 2 faces of the same coin as far as Sikhs are concerned. While Congress openly butchered Sikhs in peri-1984 era, BJP is clearly known for its anti-Sikh policies. A new political party called AAP ( Aam Admi Party) has sprung in India. It actually formed government in Delhi state just a while ago. AAP seems to be focusing a lot on providing an honest and clean governance with a lot of emphasis on removing corruption. As far as Sikhs are concerned, it seems to be a much better alternative to Congress or BJP. Here's a few things which I think we should consider if we ( as Sikhs) were to support this party on a national level 1) This is the only party which openly supported the recent Bhai Gurbaksh Singh's movement. 2) AAP says both BJP and Congress are communal. It openly voices to bring corrupt BJP and Congress politicians to justice. 3) Senior lawyer HS Phoolka ( who has tirelessly & selflessly worked for the 1984 Carnage victims) recently joined AAP 3) A lot of liberal and intellectuals are joining AAP 4) Hindu terrorists attacked AAP's office as one of its senior members said there should be referendum for army presence in Kashmir, shows the fact that this party is anti-Hindtva 5) AAP joined in sooner than any other party when Nirpreet Kaur sat on hunger strike for 1984 victims 6) AAP mentioned in its manifesto to provide justice to victims of 1984 genocide 7) AAP has a Sikh cell within the party. 8) Arvind Kejriwal ( leader of AAP) visited Gurdwara Bangla Sahib without any security within days of becoming chief minister of Delhi on occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Gurpurab. The question would be given the fact that Sikhs absolutely do not have any political voice in India ( assuming we all agree that Badals are rather anti-Sikh), would it be worthwhile for SIkhs to support AAP ? We need to align ourselves with a national party in India & by aligning with BJP, the Badals have ruined a lot of our prospects. Congress and BJP have done their best to malign Sikhs at all levels. Should Sikhs align with AAP early only ( while it is still in its infancy)?

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH ADMIN ji, benti, can we please put a ban on racist language. Terms such as "p*ki" etc which seem to be used on the regular on this forum. In the same other profane terms are banned, can a ban be applied to these racist terms please? * P*ki: Chiefly British Offensive Slang. Used as a disparaging term for a person of Pakistani or South Asian birth or descent. The term may be used amongst people of Pakistani decent, however, what right does that give us to use the term? And those who do use it in a derogatory manner, are only associating themselves with those people. As a Sikh forum, one of very few, this platform for healthy discussion attracts people from all walks of life. Sikhs wanting to further their knowledge of Sikhi and non-Sikhs wanting to gain an understanding of Sikhs and Sikhi, respectively. Currently, there are two discussions where profane language is being used. Is this the image we want to create of Sikhs and Sikhi alike? There are children using this site. Yes, this is a forum and therefore discussions can not always be restricted. However, in the same way that other profanity is banned, words such as the "F" word etc, racist terms should also be banned. In the end, it comes down to us, the users of this amazing platform, to watch what we say. In an ideal world, Admin would not need to ban any words. We must ask ourselves, is this what we have been taught by our Guru Sahib? And is this the image we want to create of ourselves? We are Sikhs. Children of our father, Dasam Pita, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaaj. Pul chuk muaf ji WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

got good sangat at gurdwara, knew them for over 10 years but parents suddenly stopped us going reason is known.. it is my behavior, apparently its bad, but i dont think so, i helpat home,,, dont talk back etc... and my school friends at school are all muslim, no sangat at the moment haven't been gurdwara in 2 months still reading as much bani as possible teen need my sangat back, but how?

RENO, NV - A Reno man has been charged with providing material support to terrorism groups in India and Pakistan to intimidate the Indian government and to harm people who were not supporting their cause, according to Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada and the FBI. “A thorough investigation and cooperation among agencies led to these charges,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “Investigating and prosecuting matters of national security is the top priority of the U.S. Department of Justice.” Balwinder Singh, aka Jhajj, aka, Happy, aka Possi, aka Baljit Singh, 39, of Reno, is charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to murder, kidnap, and maim persons in a foreign country, one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, one count of making a false statement on an immigration document, two counts of use of an immigration document procured by fraud, and one count of unlawful production of an identification document. Singh was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in Reno, and is scheduled to appear before a United States Magistrate Judge on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, for an initial appearance and arraignment. “After an extensive investigation, the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) of Northern Nevada has disrupted an individual’s involvement in facilitation activities in support of a foreign terrorist organization, targeting an ally of the United States,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Laura A. Bucheit. “We will continue to work with our international partners to prevent acts of terrorism on U.S. soil or, as in this case, on that of an ally. This investigation demonstrates the importance of law enforcement coordination and collaboration here and around the world.” According to the indictment, Singh was a citizen of India who fled to the United States and claimed asylum. Singh lived in the United States where he eventually obtained a permanent resident card from the United States. The indictment alleges that Singh is a member of two terrorist organizations, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), whose members aim to establish an independent Sikh state in part of the Punjab region of India known as Khalistan. These groups engage in bombings, kidnappings and murders in India to intimidate and compel the Indian government to create the state of Khalistan. These groups also target for assassination persons they consider traitors to the Sikh religion and government officials who they consider responsible for atrocities against the Sikhs. The indictment alleges that the object of the conspiracy was to advance the goals of BKI and KZF by raising money and obtaining weapons to support acts of terrorism in India. It is alleged that the conspiracy began on a date unknown but no later than Nov. 30, 1997. It is alleged that Singh used a false identity and obtained false identification documents in the United States so that he could travel back to India without being apprehended by the Indian authorities. It is alleged that Singh communicated with other coconspirators by telephone while he was in the United States to discuss acts of terrorism to be carried out in India. It is alleged that Singh sent money from Reno, Nev., to co-conspirators in India for the purchase of weapons that would be provided to members of the BKI and KZF to support acts of terrorism in India. It is alleged that Singh traveled from the United States to Pakistan, India, and other countries to meet with coconspirators to assist in the planning of terrorism in India, and that Singh provided advice to coconspirators about how to carry out acts of terrorism. If convicted, Singh faces up to life in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count. The case is being investigated by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force in northern Nevada, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sue Fahami and Brian L. Sullivan, and Trial Attorney Mara M. Kohn of the U.S. Department of Justice Counterterrorism Section. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Follow the Link to watch video http://www.kolotv.com/news/headlines/CNN-Reno-Man-Charged-With-Helping-Sikh-Militant-Group-236455731.html?device=phone

email the following letter to your local MP, the PM, email wgad@ohchr.org and newyork@ohchr.org urging them to take action. Honorable Sirs & Madams: I am writing to file a complaint and urgent appeal to secure the release of Sikh Prisoners of Conscience who are being deprived of their liberty by being imprisoned in India for years beyond the sentenced term of prison in egregious violation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law. Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, a Sikh rights Activist is on continuous hunger strike since November 14 demanding the release of Sikh prisoners of conscience who are being illegally detained and deprived of their liberty by the Government of India. On November 14, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa went on the hunger strike to secure the release of Gurmeet Singh; Lakhwinder Singh; Shamsher Singh; Lal Singh; Wariam Singh; and Gurdeep Singh Khaira. These prisoners of conscience are being detained beyond their sentenced terms and the Indian authorities have not released them even after the completion of their prison term. Each of these individuals is in continuous detention for a period ranging from 18 to 23 years, a period which is way in excess of the 14 years sentence imposed on them. A review of the each of these cases reveals that they fall under "Category I" cases as identified by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. According to the Working Group's mandate, "Category I" cases are those where: "t is clearly impossible to invoke any legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty (as when a person is kept in detention after the completion of his sentence or despite an amnesty law applicable to him)" As per the mandate of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions as established by resolution 1991/42 of the former Commission on Human Rights, an immediate action is warranted in this case by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions. The actions of Indian government related to continuous arbitrary detention of Sikh Prisoners of Conscience violate every norm of democracy, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International laws. If the ongoing practice of illegal and arbitrary detention of Sikhs goes unchecked, it will result in another era of unrest, torture, illegal detentions, enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings of Sikhs, a religious minority, as it happened to them during 1984-98 which has been extensively documented by United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. I, therefore, urge you to: * SECURE the release of Sikh Prisoners of Conscience Gurmeet Singh; Lakhwinder Singh; Shamsher Singh; Lal Singh; Wariam Singh; and Gurdeep Singh Khaira and save the life of Sikh activist Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa who is on continuous Hunger Strike since November 14 Submitted by: Your Name

I'm a male, 17yrs old. I don't know what to do - I live with a secret and it makes me feel terrible. I know I can't tell anyone but at the same time I'm worried and I really stopped enjoying my life recently So the story is: My really good friend (not sikh) is constalntly cheating on his girlfriend - a beautiful, honest, wise, godfearing sikh women. I promised him not to tell anyone but my heart just breaks every time I look at them together - she seems so in love yet he is such a bad person... I told him that he has to stop but he says he won't... And now I don't know what to do. I consider him as a friend but she doesn't deserve that

Breaking News: Reports received that Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa has been arrested. ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਜ਼ਬਰੀ ਚੁੱਕ ਲੈ ਗਈl http://www.sikhchannel.tv/watchus/

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Ruqan-ud-Deen: The Sikh Martyr of Guru Nanak Period Col Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal Recently new facts about Qazi Ruqun-ud-Deen of Mecca Mosque, a devout follower of Guru Nanak have come to light where he has been stoned to death on the order of Ameer of Mecca because he followed and propogated Guru Nanak’s teaching instead of Islam Name of Ruqun-ud-Deen appears in 3 Janamsakhis: Puratan Janamsakhi (pp.105-107) (1), Janamsakhi B 40 (p.66) (2) and Janamsakhi Bhai Mani Singh (pp. 379-389) (3). In a recent paper by Prof. Himmat Singh (4) details of Ruqun-ud-Deen also appear in three recently located manuscripts ‘Syahto Baba Nanak Faqir’ (1509 AD) (5) written by Taj-u-deen Naqshbandi, Twareekh-i-Arab’(1505-06 AD) (6) written by Khwaja Zain ul Abideen and Gunitusalehin (1506-07) written by Abdul Rahman.(7) According to Puratan Janamsakhi, Ruqun-ud-Deen was a Qazi and was present at the famous Mecca mosque during Guru Nanak’s visit to Mecca. Reaching Mecca, Guru Nanak slept keeping his feet towards Qaba. Ruqun-ud-Deen asked him not to do so since feet should not be towards God’s home. Guru Nanak asked him to move his feet to the direction where God is not present. Qazi Ruqun-ud-Deen caught Guru Nanak’s feet and moved. In whatever direction he moved Guru’s feet the Qaba followed. Astonished Ruqun-ud-Deen kissed Guru’s feet and asked his name and held discussions with him. (1) Details of ‘Makke di Goshat’ are given thereafter in which Guru sang his hymn ‘Yak arz guftam pes(i) tu dargos kun kartar’. (Mahla 1; Tilang, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, p. 721). ‘Syahto Baba Nanak Faqir’(5) whose writer Taj-u-deen Naqshbandi had joined Guru Nanak’s party from Iran and recorded daily movements of Guru Nanak, wrote about this event as well. According to him, Guru Nanak moved from there to the Qabristan of Mecca and stayed there for three days. Mardana started his music (in accompaniment of Guru Nanak’s hymns). The people of Arab gathered in the presence of Guru Nanak. Heaps of dates and pots of milk were presented by these devotees. At the end of the music, Guru Nanak delivered a sermon. Qazi Ruqun-ud- Deen, Khwaja Zain-ul-aab(i) Deen (writer of Tareekh(i) Arab), Qazi Gulam Ahmed (Richest man of Mecca) and Ibni Aswad , the head of Quresh tribe and heads of Budhu tribes were also present then. The hymn ‘Yak Arz Guftam’ became a fad for Qazi Ruqun-ud-Deen. Khwaja Zain-ul-aab(i) Deen the writer of Twareekh(i) Arab, was present in Qabristan of Mecca. He wrote in the chapter Bab-ul-Mecca of his book ‘Twareekh-i-Arab’ (p. 300): The sermon of Guru Nanak was heard by 300 followers. Ruqun-ud-Deen went into deep meditation. Thereafter Ruqun-ud-Deen never went back to his home and remained in meditation in a cave till he was put to death by the fundamentalist regime. When Amir of Mecca came to know that the Muslims are following an infidel, he issued fatwas. These fatwas (religious orders) were; 1. Nanak faqir is an infidel. His teachings are falsehood and against the Muslim religion. 2. Ruqun-ud-Deen’s entire property will be confiscated. 3. The Khwesh tribe, the follower of Guru Nanak is ordered to leave the country. 4. Each followers of Guru Nanak ‘to undergo beating by 30 lashes and to be without food for 11 days.’ 5. They will then be burried in sand dunes. 6. Before this they will be taken on camels around the city with blackened faces. 7. They will be hung upside down. 8. The strongest follower of Guru Nanak (Ruqun-ud deen) will be burried in ground till his chest and then stoned to death. Since it was announced in the city that a criminal is being stoned to death; the citizens thronged to watch the event. The citizens of Mecca gathered round with stones….The writer of Twarikh-e-Arab sums up this event saying: “The sacrifice of Ruqun-ud-Deen was special.Watching the sacrifice, 50% of the onlookers became followers of Nanak”. This is how the number of followers of Guru Nanak increased with each sacrifice. Amir of Mecca sent his men to locate and eliminate Guru Nanak as well. Abdul Rahman the writer of another book Gunitusalehin (1506-07) was one such person assigned the job. He wrote about his encounter with Guru Nanak in his book: “When I was driving my horse with speed and hurry; my horse stopped abruptly. I tried to move him by kicking and hitting but the horse did not move. I lifted my head to find in front that at a distance of 100 yards the faqirs were seated. The elderly person in the midst of them had a brightened face and an aura around of him more powerful than thousands of suns. This brightness shut my eyes and I had a revelation that I was about to commit a crime. The horse proved better than me who saved me from committing this crime even though I gave him lashes to advance. In front of me is the same Godly person who had moved Mecca mosque. Shah Sharaf and Ruqun-ud-Deen became his devout followers. He has rightly spread the True Name of God among the Arabs and is now in front of me. I regained my senses and thought of doing the right. I immediately saw the reason; left my horse and shoes and fell at his feet.” This is how the person who had come to kill Guru Nanak turned his follower. Ruqun-ud-Deen had become a devout follower of Guru Nanak and was put to death because of his following of Guru Nanak. Ruqun-ud-Deen can thus be considered as the first martyr of Sikhism. His two tribes Sibi and Budhu migrated immediately from Mecca to Tirah area of Afghanistan where they are now permanently settled and have faith in reciting Japuji Sahib till date. References 1. Shamsher Singh Ashok (ed.), (November 1969), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sri Amritsar, p. 104:‘Tab Guru Baba Makke vich jai vadia…..jai kar(i) soi rahia. Pair Makke di taraf kar(i) ke suta. Tab pesi ki nivaz ka ka vakht(u) hoia. Tab Qazi Ruqundeen niwaj(i) karn(i) aaia. Dekh kar(i) aakhios: “ Ai bande Khudai ke! Tu jo pair Khudai ke ghar val(i) keete hain(i) Qabe ki taraf, so kio keete hain(i)? Tab Guru Babe aakhia,” Jit(u) val(i) Khudai ate Qaba naahi, ***(u) val(i) mere pair(u) kar(i) chhad(u). Ta Qazi Ruqundeen jat(u) val(i) Guru Babe de pair(u) fere ***(u) val(i) Makke da muhra (mehrab) firda jaave. Tab Qazi Ruqundeen hairan(u) hoi rahia. Pair chumios, aakhios, “Ai darves! Tera nau kia hai. Guru Baba sang a sabd(u) in Tialng Raag(u)…. ’ 2. Piar Singh (ed.) (1989) B.40; Janamsakhi Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, pp.66-67. 3. Kirpal Singh Dr. (Ed.) (1969), Janamsakhi Prampra; Bhai Mani Singh Wali Janam Sakhi, Punjabi University, Patiala, p. 379-380 4. Himmat Singh (Prof) (2011), Guru Nanak Viaktitav: Ati parmaneek punravlokan, (Tatkaleen Arbi-Farsi srotan anusaar), paper published in seminar proceedings: Guru Kaal de Sarotan vich Guru Nanak Sahib: Jiwan te Shakhshiat, 22-23 November, 2011, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, pp. 135-140 5. Taj-u-deen Naqshbandi (1509 AD, unpublished) Syahto Baba Nanak Faqir, original in Mecca State Library, translated into Punjabi by Sayyad Prithipal Singh in 1927-30, presently with Prof Himmat Singh (Reference 4) 6. Khwaja Zain ul Abideen (1505-06 AD, unpublished) Twareekh-i-Arab, translated by Mohammed Iqbal, manuscript presently with Prof Himmat Singh (Reference 4) 7. Abdul Rahman (1506-07), Gunitusalehin, manuscript presently with Prof Himmat Singh (Reference 4)

Waheguru Tunnel an old drainage pipe: SGPC Yudhvir Rana, TNN Nov 26, 2013, 05.23AM IST AMRITSAR: A Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) official has clarified that the tunnel-like structure discovered beneath the surface near the 'langar' hall of the Golden Temple in Amritsar was a drainage pipe laid in earlier times. SGPC additional secretary Diljit Singh Bedi told TOI, "After inspecting the mysterious structure, we found it to be a drainage pipe laid a few centuries ago, which has been covered now." A sewadar (worker) at the Golden Temple chanced upon a tunnel-like structure and a small room made of Nanakshahi bricks while digging near the 'langar' hall of the shrine. Initially, people believed that the tunnel was an ancient secret passage, which was used during the days of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or a passage to connect with other gurdwaras in the Holy City. Sources in SGPC told that in olden days there used to be a network of underground tunnels, which were used by messengers for delivering letters and other messages from Lahore to Delhi and were also used as secret passages in case of emergency. However, SGPC didn't take the advice of archaeological experts to ascertain whether the structures were of historical importance. A similar underground passage was discovered while digging in the area of Gurdwara Lohgarh located in the walled city in 2010 as well. It was then suggested that the tunnel was either a secret passage connecting Lohgarh Fort and Gobindgarh Fort or an ancient sewerage pipe but experts were not consulted. Conservator Rajnish Khosla questioned, "How can one reach at a logical conclusion without consulting experts?" He suggested that the tunnel discovered underneath should be covered with glass and preserved for future generations. "This could be a curious sight showcasing rich Sikh architecture for lakhs of devotees who visit Golden Temple everyday," said Khosla. Readers' opinions (1) Sort by:Newest|Oldest hamzaji () 26 Nov, 2013 03:40 PM "After inspecting the mysterious structure, we found it to be a drainage pipe laid a few centuries ago, which has been covered now." There was no sewage system with pipes a few centuries ago. Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-26/india/44485407_1_drainage-pipe-golden-temple-langar-hallWaheguru

Hi, I have an opportunity to go to America for 2 weeks and visit an American University (Harvard, Massachusetts and Yale). However, I don't know if I should go. The stories I hear of Sikhs in America do put me off. I know it probably doesn't happen a lot, but it is a bit off putting. Has anyone been to these universities, or live near them? How is the area and are there Sikhs in the area?

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ji The below post was posted a while back in gupt and subsequently locked, no reasons given. Though its not my place to comment on the posters sexuality, i do think he made some valid points worth discussing. Also, if for some reason admin think this post should be locked, please give reasons. Thank you. " Hello All, Before I get to my question, I'd like to give some background as to where it's coming from. I am a western born and raised proud Sikh male. I am not amritdhari, as I don't believe I will be able to follow the strict "rules" constructed by society and applied to those who choose that path. I am also gay and therein lies the issue. From my research, I have come to understand that the Gurbani is silent on the issue of homosexuality. However, the Akal Takth has taken a heavy stance against it (I find this ironic since Sikhi is a religion founded on the basis of acceptance and equality. Telling people there's no such thing as homosexuals and they don't deserve the support of the community is the last thing I would expect from a leader of the faith.) Recently, I have been contemplating telling my friends and family of my sexuality. I understand this will cause them much pain, but it is who I am and people deserve to know the "real" me, and I also deserve to be proud of who I am (by hiding it, I'm making it out as something to be ashamed of; which I don't believe it is). Also, the idea of marriage is becoming a larger issue in my life, and there is only so much time that I will be able to manage to put it off. I have 3 questions which I'd like opinions about: 1) How would you react to the knowledge that someone you were close to was gay? 2) What are your thoughts on the consequences of the combination of my sexuality and religion? 3) What are your thoughts on the Akal Takth's stance against gay marriage and homosexuality? Now before people ask: Yes, I have tried "not to be gay", but it's not a choice. Trying is akin to pretending; which is lying; which is wrong. Also, have you "tried" not to be straight?"

Im not here to discuss what Sikhi or anyone has to say regarding homosexuality. I just want some honest advice, less of the preaching. So I am in a relationship with a guy. I also happen to be kesdhari. A decision of my own, not forced upon by parents etc. Long story short, I was on a path, decided being gay was "curable" or "forgettable", decided to keep my kesh and then i met my partner and now im stuck. Erm basically i have come to accept who and what i am. And the way i see it, my actions, my consequences. "Ohdi o jane, minu apni tohr niba lehn de". But...as a kesdhari guy i also represent millions. And though i dont see being gay as a bad or wrong thing, i just dont want any related stigma being linked to sikhi. For example, "hey your gay and sikh, so its allowed in sikhism...etc". I dont want that. Sikhi has and always will be an integral part of me. I can and will not let people associate my actions with those of sikhi. Similar to a kesdhari drinking or smoking or hanging out in brothels etc. I would never do that. So i guess what im asking is, what should i do? Please dont give me quotes and preaching etc sorry but its no use trying to talk me out of my sexuality. Try not being straight. Live and let live. Thank you.