By Gurmukh Singh | Opinion |
The Sikh community in Australia is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life at the horrific mass shooting that took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration. This senseless act of violence, which has claimed the lives of at least 16 people and injured dozens more, has been declared a terrorist incident by authorities. (Message from United Sikhs)
Global Panth would have also expected similar message from our highest institutions. This was terrorism in the name of one world religion against another. Regrettably, until Sikh institutions are free from Panjab and Indian politics, diaspora Sikh jathebandis at local and national levels need to take such initiatives themselves. If they can organise a truly representative global form, so much the better.
When such horrific incidents take place, every world religion must speak up, not only condemning such acts in the name of religion, but also clarifying own ideology and relevance to modern plural societies and universal human rights and values.
In the case of Bondi massacre, local Islamic leaders have condemned the terrorism in the name of their religion. That is re-assuring and needs repetition wherever the Muslims live. What is missing from most news discussions is the link to Israeli military action in Ghaza, which has used overwhelming force to kill thousands of civilians. The provocation was the Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023. The question is if the overwhelming and indiscriminate Israeli retaliation in Ghaza as the world watched, has placed global Jewish community in danger.
The annual Chabad Jewish Chanukah Festival at Sydney Bondi Beach on 14 December, was meant to publicise teachings relating to Jewish practice, ethics and religion. In this context, an e-mail from a prominent contact prompts me write about Nagar Kirtans and processions. One view is that in the current clash of extreme ideologies: we have to adopt strict rules of public display and not create jealousy with local people. That no other community is involved in such activities. The suggestion seems to be that Sikhs should keep a low profile wherever they live. That view can be tested against actual practice regarding religious festivals and processions in Western countries.
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My experience of living abroad is that of massive seasonal and religious festivals, processions and, yes, in recent years, even public protests. They are accepted as part of life of any multicultural society. For example, my recollection from childhood in Malaysia (1947-59) is that of public celebrations around the Chinese New Year, Muslim Eid, Christmas, Divali, Tamil Taipusam, etc, and Sikh religious days. We all joined in the celebrations, as do non-Sikhs in local Nagar Kirtans in Western countries these days.
A Policy Studies Institute UK paper of mid 1980s showed that people of colour in Western countries have no option to hide. The positive option they have is to openly publicise their own ideologies and way of life to show that they add value to the plural societies they live in as part of successful integration process. Unity in rich cultural diversity is the aim. Sikhs living in Western countries for over 150 years, are an outstanding example of this process of successful integration.
There is general acceptance in the West that Sikhs show discipline and dignity during the Nagar Kirtans and even during protest marches regarding just Sikh issues. Otherwise, Sikhs, the most visible ethnic community had been made legally invisible for too long.
Gurmukh Singh OBE, a retired UK senior civil servant, chairs the Advisory Board of The Sikh Missionary Society UK. Email: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk. Click here for more details on the author. The article first appeared at Panjab Times, UK
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
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