Ipoh, Malaysia | Asia Samachar |19 May 2015
The force was stirred at the Sikh Settlement in Tanjung Tualang, a small settlement less than 200km north of Kuala Lumpur.
Now, who dare say the kids here lack Sikh education?
The retort follows Asia Samachar story about Sikhs in Ipoh, Perak, raising an alarm on a Punjabi Christian programme targeting Sikh families. [See: Ipoh Sikhs raise alarm on Punjabi Christian event].
Some of the areas targeted mentioned in the report were the Sikh Settlement and Tronoh Mines.
“How can they say kids here ‘don’t get much Sikh education’?,” asked Sharanpal Kaur, an active Sikh volunteer, from Tanjung Tualang.
Every weekend, said kids from the area travel to nearby Kampar for Punjabi classes.
“Everyone here speak Punjabi and reads Gurbani,” said the avid photographer in a text message to Asia Samachar.
Santokh Singh, the former president of Khalsa Diwan Malaysia, also chipped in.
“The onslaught to convert is nothing new. I am from Sikh Settlement Tanjung Tualang. Tanjong Tualang and Tronoh Mines may be rural places but let me assure you that the area is strong as far as Sikhism is concerned,” he said in a comment to the Asia Samachar article.
“I remember that even during the British rule, there were Christian missionaries who visited these areas but were unable to do any damage simply because the Sikhs in these areas knew their faith well.
“In fact this area has produced many stalwarts who lead in many social, cultural and Punjabi Language issues not only locally but nationwide.”
On how to deal with the missionary activity from the other faiths, Santokh advised against any head-on confrontation.
“Instead we should strengthen our efforts to inculcate Sikhism in our younger generation. If a child/youth is well versed in Gurmat/Sikhi, then no force whatsoever can shake the person.
He suggested that gurdwaras and Sikh institutions in Perak should meet up and draw up relevant programmes for the youth.
“When jordmelas are held in gurdwaras, the programms are tailored for adults. I have always advocated that the parbhandhaks [committee members] draw up parallel programmes for youth in adjacent rooms for them.
“Like talk by youth for youth, CD shows, story telling… We don’t need Gianis for this. The youth can manage the youth,” he said.
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SSA.Many a times,I too,have been approched by Christians to convert.My simple answere is the same.”Thank you very much.Yes.I will become a Christian if you will convert yourself to become a SIKH”.This answere of mine normally concludes the conversion subject. When we were growing up,those who went to the morning school,had free Punjabi classes by the local Granthi in the afternoon.Those who went to the afternoon school had their classes in the morning.Not only we learned punjabi,also did kritan and on top of that,played games.We always look forward to go to the Punjabi classes.Thats why almost all children went to Gurdwara happily. Then,yes then—–one single Granthi did everything from A to Z daily. Doing morning/evening prayers,teaching, weddings/births/deaths ceremony etc etc. Nowadays Gurudwaras have sometimes 3-5 Granthis and still we see others doing the work of the Granthis.(Sorry for being boring,)
Christian preachers especially the evangelist are too aggressive forcing their religion on other by imply calling other religions as devil worship. They preach of an ancient invisible enemy (SATAN) sneaking around their lives, laying traps for them as they falter. On the other side theirs is this divine thug (GOD) is up there judging and threatening to send sinners to eternal punishment for not following what he tells them to do. This is all written in a book inspired by this God. This is clearly an abusive association. I would have no problem with Christians if they didn’t have such a big problem with me, and anyone else that won’t bow down to their beliefs.
They need to learn how to quit using physiological force.
They need to learn not to judge others or other religions.
They need to learn how to treat others as they themselves would like to be treated.
They need to learn about equality and respect all other religions
Gurfateh.
A million thanks to the individuals who are concerned about the ”conversions”.
As soon as an issue arises , the ”blame-game”begins…Associations/societies/Gurdwaras/elders/leaders and individuals are blamed. All fingers point at others but none at oneself.Its always the ”other person”.
After sometime , all is quiet and status quo prevails.
Of course in situations like this, the whole Sikh community should come together and re-asses our plans and methods of inculcating Sikhism to our young.
There are many areas that need addressing….such as Granthis, missionary work, percharaks atc, but I will touch on one area only, the Gurdwara Jodmela programs.
Typical program runs like this….starts around 9 am…The secretary announces that Jetha “A” will perform Kirtan till 10 am followed by Jetha “B” from Punjab till 11am and then some Hazuri ragi and Kethakar till 12 followed by Sahej Path Da Phog and Guru Ka Langgar thereafter.
The typical audience are the elderly who may understand the ‘percharaks’ but the handful of youth hardly understand leave alone the children. In fact the children are bored and are reluctant to go to Gurdwaras.
SUGGERTION
The Gurdwaras should have TWO programmes running parallel at any Jodmela be it Gurpurab, marriage, Bhog or any shukrana Jodmela.
FIRST PROGRAMME
In the Darbar Sahib ..should start at 10 am and end at 11.30 am This could be in the present form.
SECOND PROGRAMME
In some adjacent room. All parents going the Darbar Sahib should leave their children in this place. Here the Naujawans take over and cater to the needs of the group. Programmes that interest the young like story telling; drawing; play-acting; CD shows etc could be held.Very subtly, Sikhi values can be introduced.
Material could be shared with neighbouring Gurdwaras. We dont need Phd holders for this. Youth can handle this kind of programmes.
At 11.15am , all these young ones can go up the Darbar to participate in the ending of the programme in the Darbar Sahib.
This programme may not be feasible in all Gurdwaras immediately but a start can be made.Children would then love coming to Gurdwaras. Programmes BY youth FOR youth.
Coupled with the Punjabi Language being taught by Khalsa Diwan and periodical interesting programmes by Naujawan Sabah will go a long way to embed the Sikhi values in the youth and they will not easily fall prey to outside pressure.
Together we shall overcome.
Gurfateh
Santokh Singh
Dear Admin,
Thanks for the prompt reply. Dear Sir I am not taking any sides in this discussion. I am all out for Sikhs to be united. I was told about secret conversions although I cannot divulge the name of the person who told me this. I was bewildered at the thought of our Sikh brothers and sisters being lured away fro their faith. At the same time I know that every person to his/her choice depending on how they have been brought up. We respect that..but secret conversions..that I could not swallow. Anyway that being cleared I humbly apologize to even have brought it up.
Rowdy behavior ..well if you had been there you would know what I meant. Sending the Bhangra dancers packing..(they only wanted to earn some money for themselves) and some of them were taking loudly in the church when the meeting was going on standing at the doorways and that was not called for. What if some people came to do that in our Gurdwara…would it not have been considered rude…wouldn’t some be screaming murder???
Well like I said we portray our Guru and what was shown was not what being a Sikh is all about. Debate and decide all that we can do but finding the right approach and solution needs the unity of hearts. Having different opinions will bring disharmony. Where are the leaders in this …why aren’t they voicing out. Will these meeting in the church end..I doubt. Do we keep making police reports? Deal the matter at its roots.
Thank you Admin for bringing this up. Sat Sri Akaal.
Dear Hari Singh. Thank you for your input. Three points of clarification.
SECRET: The event under discussion did not involve any secret conversion. The issue was the open and blatant attempts to proselytise. The Punjabi Christians were extending invites openly to Sikhs to attend their church function. This is not some open house or some social gathering, but a religious programme.
BEHAVIOUR: You spoke about rowdy and threatening behaviour of Sikhs who attended the function. We spoke to others present, including men in uniform. No such complaints.
DISAGREE WITH APPROACH: Did the Sikhs response in an appropriate manner? Well, that is for all to debate and decide. – Editor
So all the hype about luring and converting Sikhs ….what has it all come to. What was the motive after all? All I can remember now is I wanted to observe what was going on as well, as rumor has it that Sikhs were secretly lured into conversion by the church. When I got there… a small group of Sikhs were milling outside the church together with the police. I thought this was for real. I got into the church and observed that some songs were sung in Punjabi and a small group of people consisting of Chinese, Indians and a handful of Sikhs singing and clapping along. There was a guy boldly walking in every direction of the church taking pictures of every scenario and persons with little regard of privacy. Then a huge group of observers came in and sat in almost seat they could find. I waited and listened to every word said but did not find anything offensive nor were there any conversions. Perhaps the church was aware that they are being observed and had changed their agenda.
But what made me ashamed was the observers were being unruly. They were chatting loudly in the church premise while the service was ongoing and some even went to threaten a group of Bhangra dancers and shooed them off from the premise. I was told they were a paid group and they did performance for any functions. Why were they chased off? Are we Sikhs rowdies that we need to defend our religion by being violent. And even after the event they milled outside the church premise with angry and threatening faces. What was achieved with that behavior? Do Sikhs behave like that? We displayed a rotten image instead. Now with Tg. Tualang Settlement speaking out I thought to myself…I will never listen to these rumors again. What have all those that were there have to say? Do something inside the temple to bring about change as the people here have spoken. ….Dissapointed
I agree with the statement given by Sharanpall Kaur and Santokh Singh. I’m from Tanjung Tualang too. Grew up there my whole life. Kids as well as adults here are well aware of Sikhi and how to preserve and protect it. I have attended Punjabi/Sikhi classes during my childhood days and so did all the other kids there. And even till now all the kids attend classes at a nearby town. During my days as a kid there, even I was approached by a Punjabi Christian man asking me to accept Christ, but I refused. I think as long your faith is strong nothing can shake you. These Christian missionaries should put one thing straight into their heads. Don’t mess around with us Sikhs. Otherwise 300 year old history will repeat itself again.
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