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In Remembrance

By Pardeep Singh Nagra

Approximately over 250 000 Sikhs served in the World Wars. They served and saw action in all the major campaigns of WW1 in France and Flanders Belgium including Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, La Bassee, Somme, and Vimy.  Sikhs also served in campaigns in Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and the Far East. Fighting in the trenches and muddy fields of Europe, in the deserts, among the mountains and on the oceans in these global conflicts, the Sikhs would win unstinting respect for their courage, bravery, patience and fortitude.

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Canadian MPs visit 1984 Sikh "Widow Colony"

Canadian MPs Parm Gill, Kyle Seeback and Minister Tim Uppal visited Delhi’s ‘Widow Colony’ yesterday.  The visit was not made public and was not covered by the media.  The "Widow Colony" was established by the widows of the Sikhs killed in November 1984. 

Canadian Sikhs have repeatedly called on India to prosecute those responsible for the killing of Sikhs in November 1984.  Canada too has a role in calling for accountability.  It should be noted that NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair in a statement last week  commemorating November 1984 stated, “The actions of the police and allegations regarding the role of Congress members and the use of state resources, must be examined.  The truth must be brought to light and those guilty must be brought to justice.”

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In Canada we call that democracy...not extremism

Today a Globe and Mail reporter called to investigate rumours she’d heard about a supposed rise in “Sikh extremism.” At first we were confused and then we remembered the Canadian trade mission to India. As is often the case, someone in India was probably whispering in her colleague’s ear.

Wendy Stueck, of the Globe’s B.C. bureau, had no real evidence for this imaginary Sikh extremism in Canada, just hearsay from another reporter travelling with the trade mission. So she called us to see if there was something we might know.

As we’ve said several times in the past, there is nothing to suggest a rise in extremism or radicalism.  If there is, we’d be the most surprised to hear about it.

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Images of Terror: Remembering November 1984 Through Photographs

They say a picture speaks a thousand words.  The iconic picture of a Sikh being stoned and beaten on the streets of Delhi in November 1984 is in many ways representative of the terror and carnage that took place twenty eight years ago.  How could the thousands of Sikhs who were attacked and killed have ever known that members of their own government were organizing mobs, providing them with municipal lists and kerosene and leading them on a murderous spree that lasted almost an entire week?

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Tracking Pakistan's Forgotten Gurdwaras

Gurdwara Baradari RawalpindiGurdwara Baradari Rawalpindi“Please give your Khalsa the gift of free visitation to, and service and upkeep of Sri Nankana Sahib and other Gurdwaras and places associated with the Guru from which the Panth (community) has been separated” – Sikh daily Ardaas (prayer)

The Partition of Punjab in 1947 didn’t just result in the uprooting of hundreds of thousands of Sikhs from their ancestral homes; it also resulted in the separation of the Sikh community from hundreds of historical Gurdwaras and landmarks.  Places like Nanakana Sahib and Panja Sahib which are integral to the Sikh heritage were left behind.   Ironically, several historical Gurdwaras, such as those in Ghavindi, Hudiara, Jahman and Kartarpur Sahib are as close as 5 km from the international border.  Some of these Gurdwaras like Kartarpur Sahib can even be seen in the distance when standing at the border - so close yet so very far.

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CATSA Clarifies Aiport Turban Policy

After being contacted by a Sikh whose turban was aggressively patted down during security screening at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has been in contact with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) for a clarification on screening procedures for the turban in Canadian airports.

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The Prophetic Words of Jaswant Singh Khalra

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the disappearance of S. Jaswant Singh Khalra.

In a handwritten press note dated February 25, 1995, S. Khalra had predicted his 'disappearance' at the hands of the Punjab Police (before his visits to Canada).  He had learned that his abduction had been approved by the Congress government in power at the time.  The press note shows S. Khalra's bravery and spirit of sacrifice. 

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The Olympics & Religion: a reflection on lessons from London 2012

By Ripan Kaur, WSO Communications Intern

As viewers all across the globe have witnessed over the past few weeks, the Olympics demonstrated a coming together of different communities. The games were filled with fantastic moments, not only of the athletes’ achievements, but also a multitude of diverse identities. From Usain Bolt kneeling down in prayer after his victory in the 200m dash, to Canadian wrestler Arjan Bhullar proudly wearing a red turban when walking in with his fellow athletes during the opening ceremonies. An important legacy of the games is celebrating the world and its different cultures, languages, faiths through sport. London 2012 was no exception.

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A Book of Condolences for the Families of the Oak Creek Shootings

As we are all aware, the incidents of Oak Creek almost two weeks ago have been painful for everyone around the world. As a result, the World Sikh Organization is setting up a channel to collect condolence messages which will be delivered to the families of the victims, as well as to the heroic police officer who risked his life and saved countless lives. If you would like to leave messages of condolences and hope and love for the families, you can do so here: http://www.worldsikh.ca/contact Read more »

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A Personal Account of the Oak Creek Funerals

By Mukhbir Singh (WSO Vice-President-Quebec)

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King 

As the World Sikh Organization of Canada’s envoy to the funeral services of the Oak Creek Gurdwara shooting victims, I worked to foster relations with victims' family members and community members from Wisconsin who were affected by the shootings. It was an amazing opportunity to provide support to the sangat (congregation) and help grieve with them in the aftermath of such a terrible tragedy.

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