‘A path of humanity’: Winnipeg’s Sikh community celebrates anniversary of holy book

Every year on the first Sunday in September, the Sikh community gathers to honour its gods, celebrate its people and share its culture.

This Sunday, thousands of people gathered at Memorial Boulevard, just in front of the Manitoba legislative building, to make offerings and pay their respects to the holy book: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

In return, people received a sacred offering called Prashad, a small amount of traditional food. This is for everyone who pays respects, not just Sikhs.

The chairman of the Sikh Society of Manitoba, Gumurkh Singh Sroay, says the book’s main teaching is equality for everyone.

“In our holy book they say that everybody is equal in the whole world,” explained Singh Sroay, who has been in Winnipeg since 1972. “Maybe any community, any religious faith, so they’re all equal.”

Amrinder Singh, who helps educate people about the rich Sikh culture through Misl Winnipeg, says he considers it more than a holy book.

“We consider Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a living guru,” he said.

“He is a mentor of the Sikh community.

“We have 10 gurus from 1469 to 1708. Since then, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the guru because after the human gurus, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the form of the guru which will lead us until the eternity.”

Singh adds culture is at the heart of the religion.

“We organize such an occasion so that people will remember about their culture. They won’t forget in their daily lives,” said Singh.

“Without culture, there is nothing. There is no rules. There is no laws without the culture. Every law is derived somehow from some culture so that’s why it is very important for me.”

Singh says he hopes others join in the philosophy, which doesn’t mean following a certain god. He says everyone is welcome to believe whatever faith they choose, as long as they’re kind and focused on helping others when they’re able.

“I don’t consider it as a religion. I consider it as a path of humanity,” he said.

“Every god is one, so that’s what our message is. Just follow whichever god you follow. We do not say, come to the Sikhism. We do not say to go any other religion. Follow whatever you believe is, your faith it, your faith you were born with, just be a good human.

“Keep helping people. That’s how the Sikh religion is about. There is a lot of food stalls there for the hungry people … that’s how it is. This is how it’s meant to be. If you have anything extra, we don’t need it. You don’t know if you need it tomorrow or not. We might not be here. You want to help somebody? Just help.”

Sunday’s celebration saw the Sikh Motorcycle Club leading the parade. Riders wore their turbans instead of helmets.

“We are thankful to our city and our government for allowing us Sikhs to ride with our turbans,” said motorcyclist Khalsa Sandhu.

“Everybody is in a very good spirit, happy and they dressed up well to come to this occasion, “added chairman Singh Sroay.

Singh says the event in Winnipeg was naturally much smaller than when held in India.

“Usually in Indian culture and in India, we usually cover a whole town,” he said.