Shaheedi Dihada of Guru Arjan Dev Ji: Jun 17 – Jun 19, 2016

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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Saadh Sangat Ji,

Please join us in remembering Shaheedi of Guru Arjun Dev Ji on Sunday, 19-June-2016. Also there will be Akhand Paath seva starting from 17-Jun-2016 and ending on 19-Jun-2016.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the first martyr of the Sikh faith and fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus, who compiled writings to create our holy book Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

One of the greatest contribution of Guru Arjan Dev Ji made to the Sikh faith was to compile all of the past Gurus’ writings, along with selected writings of other saints from different backgrounds which he considered consistent with the teachings of Sikhism into one book, now the holy scripture: the Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Arjan was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and asked to convert to Islam. In June 1606, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered that Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru be tortured and sentenced to death after the Guru had refused to stop preaching his message of God as started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Guru was made to sit on a burning hot sheet while boiling hot sand was poured over his body. After enduring five days of unrelenting torture, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was taken for a bath in the river. As thousands watched he entered the river, never to be seen again.

Program Schedule

Asa di vaar                                            –       8:00 am to 10:00 am
Sukhmani Sahib                                  –       10:00 am to 11:00 am
Kirtan by Sangat                                  –       11:00 am to 11:45 am
Kirtan by Bhai Surinder Singh ji      –       11:45 am to 1:15 pm
Langar                                                   –       1:45 pm

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

DC Khalsa School closed from Sunday Jun 12th 2016, Registration starts Aug 1st 2016

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DC Khalsa School will be closed for summer from this Sunday, 12th June 2016. We will be open for registration & enrollment for the next semester throughout the month of August starting 01st Aug 2016.

The school reopens & classes are resumed from August 21st 2016.

Bhagat Puran Singh Ji’s Janam Diwas in Sikh Gurdwara DC – 05Jun2015

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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Please join all of us to celebrate the Birthday of Bhagat Puran Singh Ji on this Sunday, 05Jun2016 in Sikh Gurdwara DC. Also, we will remember and pay tribute to all martyrs of Chota Ghallughara (lesser holocaust).

Bhai Puran Singh Ji (June 4, 1904 – August 5, 1992) was born in Rajewal (Rohno) Ludhiana district, Punjab. Born into a Hindu family, he was given the name Ramjidas as a child. Later, while still a child, he chose to become a Sikh. He was greatly inspired by the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Gurus. Though he never finished his basic schooling, he became a writer, a (self) publisher, an environmentalist, and a philanthropist. He is perhaps best remembered for the home he founded in Amritsar, India, named Pingalwara, a home which long after his death, is still tending to the castaways of society: the sick, disabled and abandoned forlorn people.

As a young man he decided to dedicate his life to the ‘selfless service of humanity‘. He founded Pingalwara in 1947 with only a few patients, the neglected and rejected of the streets of Amritsar. An early advocate of what we today refer to as the ‘Green Revolution’, Bhagat Puran Singh was spreading awareness about environmental pollution, and increasing soil erosion long before such ideas became popular. Pamphlets with his writings on various subjects, such as environmental awareness, were printed on re-used paper and freely distributed.

He was honored in 1979 by the Government of India with the Padma Shri award, given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field.

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Remember martyrs of Chota Ghallughara:

In order to avenge the death of his brother, Diwan Lakhpat Rai had got all the Sikhs of Lahore executed by scavengers on the 10th March, 1746 AD after that he marched with an army of fifty thousand, including artillery, to wipe out the Sikhs. At that time, about Fifteen thousand Sikhs had taken shelter in the marshes of the river Ravi near the pool of Kahnuwan in Gurdaspur District about 20 kms North west of current day Gurdaspur. The forces of Lakhpat Rai besieged the marshes and began pounding the area with his cannons. Massively outgunned and with no artillery themselves, the Sikhs headed for the safety of the hills, as their attackers moved in pursuit. What rations, the Sikhs had, were soon finished, so whenever they found an opportunity, the Sikhs robbed the army of rations and weapons. In ‘guerilla’ style warfare they attacked and disappeared, keeping the royal army off balance.

Program Schedule

Asa di vaar                                    –       8:00 am to 10:00 am
Sukhmani Sahib                            –       10:00 am to 11:00 am
Kirtan by Sangat                            –       11:00 am to 11:45 am
Kirtan by Bhai Surinder Singh ji     –       11:45 am to 1:15 pm
Langar                                            –       1:30 pm

NOTE: There is ample amount of free parking on Sunday in DC next to Gurdwara Sahib and also in parking lot in basement.

Gyani Kuldeep Singh: Guru Granth is higher than Sikh Rehit Maryada

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Kuldeep Singh, granthi at Gurdwara Sikh Sangat of Virginia today stood his ground in the face of mounting condemnation from many Sikhs for making alterations to the Amrit Sanchaar he organized and took part in last month. In a lengthy statement to the sangat, he questioned the origin and authorship of three of the Baanees recited during the ceremony that are attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, and also how they ended up in the Rehit Maryada. He had replaced these Baanees, which are from the disputed Dasam Granth, with Baanees from the Guru Granth Sahib. A large number of Sikh gurdwaraas and organizations from the East Coast decidedSaturday to form a Punj Pyaray to handle the issue. Both sides rejected the authority of the Akal Takhat and other takhat jathedaars who were cast out by the Sarbat Khalsa in November 2015, and dismissed their summons last week for Kuldeep Singh to appear at the Akal Takhat.

Canada’s Trudeau makes formal apology for racist Komagata Maru incident

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a formal apology on May 18 for the 1914 Komagata Maru incident in which Canada turned away a ship carrying hundreds of South Asian immigrants.

More details at this link

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/18/the-tragic-story-behind-justin-trudeaus-apology-in-canadas-parliament/

Bhai Sahib Ji from GNNSJ Birmingham awarded from Roman Catholic church

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Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh ji from GNNSJ, Birmingham being awarded a plaque
from the Roman Catholic church for their outstanding work in world religions and Interfaith diversity. He has been recognized for his dedicated work to Roman Catholic-Sikh relations and for his enthusiastic commitment to working for peace among people of all faith.

This is a truly honorable moment for Sikhism. Just observe how the Kirtan is being done in the church! Haven’t seen a moment like this ever! This is what the world needs – coexistence of all in peace and harmony!

A very clear message:
Respect & Honor other religions, yours will be appreciated & accepted in return, in good faith…

 

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President Obama Appoints SALDEF Board Chair Manjit Singh to White House

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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Saadh Sangat Ji,

On May 13, 2016, President Barack Obama appointed SALDEF co-founder and current Board Chair, Manjit Singh, to serve on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

“These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles,” President Obama said in a statement. “I look forward to working with them.”

In addition to his role at SALDEF, Mr. Singh is the President of Agilious, a software technology consulting firm he founded in 2013.  He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and also as a Member-at-Large on the Board of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington.  Mr. Singh received an M.S. from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Bombay, India.

manjitsingh

“It’s an honor to represent SALDEF and the Sikh American Community in the White House. I look forward to working with other faith and community leaders from across the country to create a more inclusive and positive environment for all Americans,” said Manjit Singh. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the President and excited to work to bring all communities together in our country, during a time of increased divisiveness.”

The Advisory Council brings together religious and secular leaders as well as scholars and experts in fields related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations. The Council will advise the President on steps the government should take to reduce poverty and inequality and create opportunity for all, including changes in policies, programs, and practices that affect the delivery of services by faith-based and community organizations and the needs of low-income and other underserved persons.

Apology by Bhai Surinder Singh ji

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Saadh Sangat Ji,

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

As the Sangat is aware of the Amrit Sanchar Ceremony in April 2016 where Sikh Rahat Maryada was violated. One of the participant Bhai Surinder Singh took part in it. This was without the knowledge of Sikh Gurdwara DC Management. Today Bhai Sahab apologized to Smooh Sadh Sangat in the presence of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Sikh Day Parade : May 7th 2016 at 12:30PM in DC

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Saadh Sangat Ji,

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!

Please join us for Sikh Day Parade on 07May,2016 to celebrate Sikh presence in America. PFA the brochure for details.

Gathering place: National Mall lawns near 19th Street and Constitution Avenue
Kirtan Diwan: 10:00 am

Parade Starts at 12:30 pm &
Ends at 3rd Street and Madison Dr. at 02:30pm

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Agenda for Sikh Day Parade in DC on 07-May-2016
 
Morning Diwan: Lawns near 19th street and Constitution Avenue
 
Parkash:                            10:00am
Kirtan:                               10:00am – 11:00 am
Anand Sahib and Ardas: 11:00am to 11:30am
Bhog:                                 11:30am
 
Parade:                              12:30pm (from 19th street and Constitution Avenue)
 
Sequence:
 
Large Banner (Sikh Day Parade)
Nishan Sahibs
Panj Piyaras
Float with Guru Granth Sahib
Gurdwaras with Banners in the following order:
      – Sikh Society of Baltimore
      – Sikh Gurdwara, DC
      – Sikh Foundation of Virginia
      – Sikh Center of Virginia  
      – Sikh Association of Baltimore
      – Raj Khalsa Gurdwara
      – Guru Nanak Foundation of America
      – Guru Gobind Singh Foundation
      – Guru Gian Sagar Gurdwara
     
Second float in the middle after Sikh Center of Virginia.
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vaisakhiparade2016