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Excellent AKJ Italy Samagam 2003


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I got this from another forum, it's worth reading:

Author: Jagjit Singh

Date: 08-22-03 05:29

Excellent Italy Samagam 2003

& Kirpaan Situation In Italy

For many years now, Gursikhs from Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK, have travelled to foreign countries for Gurmat Parchaar. These tours have been in August, to destinations were Gurmat Parchaar is needed, and few Parcharaks go.

This year, Gursikhs from AKJ UK, with Guru Maharajs Kirpa, went to Italy. Almost 120 Gursikhs from UK went to the Smagam. The smagam happened from 5th August till 10 August 2003. Aswell as the Gursikhs from Uk, many others Gursikhs arrived from Holland, France and Germany.

He first group of 45 Gursikhs left Uk on Tuesday arriving at Bergemo. They divided into two groups. The first group went the main Italy Gurdwara of Reggio Milia. Here the Gursikhs did a Childrens Gurmat Camp and Shabad Guru Smagam, with simran, keertan, and katha, every morning and evening.

The other group went to other Gurdwaras - Singh Sabha, Pordenone and Gurdwara Sadh Sangat, Trivizo, and then joined up with the first group at Reggio Milia on Thursday. Local sangat at all Gurdawras showed so much love for the Gursikhs, with many travelling many hours to attend the Diwans in temperatures of over 40 degrees. The Jatha was shown a lot of Satkar, and Muki-sevadaars were given Saroopas in every Gurdwara.

On Thursday, the main large group of Gursikhs arrived in Italy from Uk. The daily programme at the Gurdwara was Abyass 2-4am, 4-5am Simran, 5-6am Nitnem, 6-9am Asa Di //, 10am – 2pm Gurmat Camp, 2-4pm Gathka. Then 6-9pm Reharas sahib, Keertan and Gurmat Vichaar.

Pics of Di

wans http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/Sangat2.jpg

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/Sangat.jpg

On Saturday 9th August, the Smagam staged a large Gathka Event outside the Main Town Hall in Reggio Millia. It was attended by many local people, and the Mayor and Head of Italian Police in the District. Gathka Akharas who showed their skills were Bhai Fauja Singh Akhara from Leeds, Paris Gathka Akhara, and Ranjit Akhara from Italy. A total of 45 youth played Gathka, and it was the first time a demonstration with kirpans was allowed in Italy.

Pics of gatkha http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/Gatka2.jpg

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/Gatka1.jpg

After this event at Reggio Millia Gurdwara, there was International Rainsbhai keertan. Again despite intense heat, all the sangat enjoyed Bani all night long. Sunday morning again, Gursikhs from AKJ UK held Diwans in four Italian Gurdwaras.

The Amrit Sanchaar was held on Sunday morning with 40 sikhs accepting Guru Ji`s blessings of Amrit. The Panj Pyare and the Gursikhs entered the Sunday diwan and were an amazing sight.

Pics http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/PanjPyarai.jpg

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/PanjPyarai2.jpg

The Akhand Kirtani jatha in Italy had been established many years ago. But this year choose to formerly register itself, and choose five muki sevadaars, from with they choose Bhai Amarjit Singh Italy as their first jathedar. These five Gursikhs were recognised by the Sadh Sangat. The Gurdwara Pardaan thanked all the Gursikhs who did seva all week, and recognised some Gursikhs were Siropas, and commente

d on the way all the Gursikhs were always “Thare-par-Thare” and dedicated to Guru and Panth.

On Sunday evening, the majority of the Gursikhs came back on the same Ryanair plane. The majority of the plane was full by the 100+ Gursikhs in full Bhana. The flight attendants got a bit of a shock by the Jaikaras when the flight took off, and landed, but saw the amusing side of it.

THE KIRPAN SITUATION IN ITALY

On Thursday, three Amritdhari Gursikhs from UK, and two from Italy were at the local supermarket outside Reggio Millia, getting food for the Childrens Gurmat Camp. The security noticed their Kirpaans, and called the Police. They were arrested. Upon hearing this at the Gurdwara, a group of 15 Gursikhs went to the Police Station to get their release. After explaining the situation, they were released, and the Police offered an apology to the UK Gursikhs. Upon return to the Gurdwara, the local sangat informed us, that this is a regular occurance. Approximately, every month or two someone gets arrested. The Gurdwara had started dialogue with authorities but with no avail. Kirpaans are banned in Italy, and even the local Gathka akhara is not allowed to have any. Furthermore, we were told that Sikhs outside the Reggio millia area regularly have to put up with abuse about being called Bin Laden.

The AKJ UK representatives decided to take matters in their own hands, and all the local press were summoned, on Friday morning. Representatives from AKJ UK and Bhai Amarjit Singh, Italy spoke to the press in detail about the kirpan issue, Sikh identity and racism Sikhs had to deal with, and the Humanitarian message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Plus we invited all citizens of the District to come to the Gurdwara anytime and have langar and find out about Sikhism. That evening the “Gazette de Reggio”, their version of the Evening Standard, had an excellent article about Sikhs with pictures on the front page, discussing all the issues we mentioned.

Another paper from another district after hearing

about the arrests, contacted the Indian Embassy. They gave a very negative message about Sikhs being terrorists and troublemakers. But with Guru Maharaj Kirpa, the new youth in Italy contacted all the National papers and the European. On Saturday, many of the these papers interviewed us about Sikh Identity, the kakaars, Sikhi saroop and the message of Sahib Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. These appeared in the papers, ad showed Sikhs in a very positive light.

The local sangat was so impressed by these reports and how quickly Guru Maharaj had taken seva from his Gursikhs, that they pledged to stand by this Campaign. On Saturday evening, when all the sangat went to the Town hall to see the Gathka. Every Amritdhari Gursikh wore his/her Kirpaan on top of their clothes, which is unheard of in Italy. Sevadaars gave free refreshments to all the visitors, with many local Italians who came to watch. Even the local Mayor, asked us to tie a dastaar on his head. He has for a long time been very supportive of Sikhs, and often stood up for them, thanks to sterling seva by Gursikhs like Bhai Amarjit Singh. For the first time on Italian soil, as far as we are aware, gathka was played with kirpaans. The Head of Police and Mayor was guests at the event, as well as all the local press and TV.

After the event, the Mayor was presented with a shield and kirpan, and he pledged his full support to the campaign. This was also echoed by the Head of Police.

Dignatories in background of pic http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/Gatka1.jpg

The Campaign for Sikh Indentity and legalising the Kirpaan is ongoing, but Guru Maharaj gave it a huge boost, with now press and local dignatories fully behind the cause. One of the national papers has know offered the services of its solicitors for fighting the case. It has been brought to the attention of Silvio Berlesconi. The press reports have also made clear that the authority who represents Sikhs is not the Indian

Government or its embassies, but the Siri Akal Takht Sahib. Pictures of Jathedar Joginder Singh with his kirpaan meeting the Pope were also shown.

In conclusion, a very productive and Laha Filled Smagam. Many names could be mentioned by all graditude goes to Guru Maharaj, for it is he that blesses everything. (Aape Karanehar)

Waheguru ji kekhalsa, waheguru ji ke fateh

Other pics – more will be available of Akj Uk website soon.

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/BhaiApardeepSi...hDoingKirta.jpg

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/BhaiHazooraSin...DoingKirtan.jpg

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/BhaiSurjitSing...hDoingKatha.jpg

http://www.akj.org.uk/italy/BibiBhinderpal...urDoingKirt.jpg

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