I Didnt Know This Happened?

[ISDhillon]

http://www.punjabheritage.org/material-her...atics-2505.html

Baghdad Sikh Shrine destroyed by fanatics PDF Print E-mail

Written by DNA India

Friday, 25 May 2007

Iraq is keen to rebuild a historic Sikh shrine commemorating Guru Nanak's visit to Baghdad, which had been destroyed by 'fanatics' after the invasion of the country by US-led coalition forces, a top leader said on Friday.

Iraqi National Congress chief Ahmed Chalabi, one of Iraq's prominent leaders, who drove down through the desolate streets of Baghdad to the sacred Sikh site last night under heavy military protection, said 'it has unfortunately been wiped out by fanatics because they thought it was against Islam'.

"It's shameful they cannot respect someone who has millions of followers," he said at the gurdwara site along the river Tigris.

Iraqi officials escorting Chalabi informed him about the original design of the gurdwara that was built alongside the tomb of a Muslim religious leader, which has suffered no damage.

"We will rebuild it," Chalabi said even as he admitted he did not know that a Sikh shrine had ever existed in Baghdad, which houses the Indian embassy.

The Iraqi leader, seen as close to the Bush administration, ruled out the possibility of the gurdwara being destroyed in military fire.

"It was a mortar attack by some fanatic," he said, adding he believed it would have happened after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

News reports during the Iraq war had suggested the gurdwara had suffered damage in the attack, but there has been no official confirmation until now from Iraq about its condition.

The visit to the site revealed complete destruction of the shrine.

Chalabi, who broke the lock at the gate of the shrine's compound to inspect the site, pointed out that the shrine's marble floor had been pulled out and its roof razed to the ground.

Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who accompanied him, also requested immediate rebuilding of the gurdwara.

According to Sikh history, Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, visited Baghdad and had a discourse with Bahlol Dana, a sufi teacher.

The gurdwara commemorating the Guru's visit lies near what is now a devastated railway station in Baghdad.

"The Sikh community has contributed a lot to Iraq. They have worked here in railways, construction and a lot of other activities. We respect them and will see to it that this is rebuilt," Chalabi said.

[2desi]

"which houses the Indian embassy"

maybe they wanted to attack the Indian Embassy?

[dasmesh_regiment]

i thought it didnt house the embassy at all and was a small shrine made on the tomb of a iraqi sant

[jayd]

I had visited this Gurudwara as a 12 year old in the early nineties. From what I remember, it was fairly well maintained. The main courtyard when you entered had marble tiles similar to those found in Harminder Sahib Parkarima. Then there was a door to the right of the courtyard which led to an another courtyard with mudfloor. This courtyard had the tree where Guru Nanak Devji sat with the Muslim saint and had religious discourses. Then there are two rooms in that courtyard, one being the Muslim saint's dargah, and the second room has the prakash of Guru Granth Sahib. This room also has the stone slab (that you see in photos) commemorating Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visit. Both rooms had a light green paint and Maharaj had a nice rumalla. The tree was aging (I don't remember what tree it was), and the barks were easily peeling off and falling on the floor. I still have some pieces of the bark that I had picked up.

It was a very hot quite afternoon and there was no one there except for a arab caretaker and his family. They were really happy to see us and said they don't see many Sikhs that come around. I don't remember what he said when asked who takes care of Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj. He did say that some come around once in a while to clean up the Gurudwara, otherwise they do their best to keep the place well maintained.

The Indian embassy is not part of this complex. That is in downtown Baghdad, and this Gurudwara was on the the outskirts near a railway yard. I do clearly remember that they had a little military base near the Gurudwara and the railway yard.

Anyways, just wanted to paint a picture for you guys as to what it looked like. Hard to believe this Gurudwara has been destroyed..