Trafalgar Square Today! To Mark

[London Singh]

PRESS RELEASE

(Date) June 2006

For immediate use

Sikhs Mark 400th Anniversary

of Guru Arjan's Martyrdom.

UK Sikhs will gather in London's Trafalgar square to mark the 400th

anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev on Monday 19th June

2006. Joining them will be leading figures from the Christian,

Hindu, Jew and Muslim faith communities and Phil Woolas MP, Minister of

State for Local Government and Community Cohesion.

They will help Sikh volunteers distribute free, cooling drinks to

passers by in memory of the death and suffering of Guru Arjan.

Guru Arjan, the Sikh faith's fifth Guru, was tortured to death in

the searing heat of an Indian summer. Forced to sit on a hot plate

while hot sand was poured over his near naked body, his only crime

was to be one of the first interfaith pioneers, teaching that no

one religion had the monopoly on Truth and that all faiths should

be respected.

Dr Indarjit Singh, Editor of the Sikh Messenger and Director of The

Network of Sikh Organisations who have planned the event says: -

"Handing out cool, refreshing drinks to passers-by is an act of

kindness that remembers Guru Arjan's thirst and suffering while

looking to the needs of others, irrespective of their race, colour

or creed."

"His respect for all faith has particular relevance for

today's times when the murder of innocents in the name of religion

has sadly become all too common."

"Too often Trafalgar Square is the scene for noisy protests. On

June 19th we hope instead to see the square become a focus for the

values of respect, tolerance and understanding; a place where

people of all faiths and none can come to remember the courage of

all those who have given their lives in the service of umanity."

Leaders from other faith communities include: -

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari,

Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain

Anil Bhanot, General Secretary, Hindu Council UK

The Rt. Rev. Richard Chartres, Bishop of London

Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General, Hindu Forum of Britain.

Rabbi Alan Plancey, Cabinet of the Chief Rabbi

Sikhism is the world's fifth largest religion and the fourth

largest faith group in Britain, with some 330,000 Sikhs living in

the UK. The fifth of ten Sikh Gurus, Guru Arjan oversaw the

building of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Sikh Holy city in

the Indian Punjab and collated the Sikh Holy scriptures (the Guru

Granth Sahib), ensuring he included teachings of both Hindu and

Muslim saints.

The anniversary event of his martyrdom takes place in Trafalgar

Square between 4 and 7pm.

Indarjit Singh

UK

[GurSa Singh]

This is tonight! Why why why the short notice?

[London Singh]

I only found out today as well! I was also surprised ji!

[GuruManeyoGranth]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Thanks for it bringing it to our attention. I'm going to try to pop down and see what it's about.

Anyone else going?

Waheguroo