By Hidayat Khan
Sikhs take part in Independence Day rally. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR: Of the dozens rallies on the Independence Day of the country, it was
‘Peshawari Singhs Azadi motorbike rally,’ which turned out to be the biggest crowd puller
on Monday.
Dressed in their traditional attires, hundreds of Sikh youth rode their bikes from Mohallah
Jogan Shah, the historical locality of Sikhs in Peshawar near Dabagri area of Peshawar,
with beat of drum. They passed through different roads of the city and reached the
Jinnah Park to cut the cake.
The Sikh elders said that unlike the past, this year, the Independence Day celebrations
were not limited to their Gurdwaras and they came out on the roads and parks to
celebrate the day and tell the world that here is a complete peace. After the rally
arrived at Jinnah Park, Sikh elders cut the cake and offered prayers for the peace
and prosperity of the country.
“This is our country and for its peace and prosperity, we are always ready to offer any
sacrifice,” said Baba Jee Charanjeet Singh. “We love Pakistan. Let there be no wars,
no hate, and discrimination. This is what our Guru Nanak’s philosophy also teaches us.”
He added that the bike rally also aims to wish happy Independence Day to whole
Pakistan from Sikhs.
Before the rally got underway, Sikhs youth started thronging to Mohallah Jogan Shah
from different parts of the city where preparations were under way for celebration
since night. They were preparing green and white national flags, arranging for green
shirts and their traditional green turbans.
“It is a day of celebration, we have come all the way to celebrate the day with full
unity,” said Sahib Singh. He made it clear that separate rally did not mean that they
have not participated in celebrations with other countrymen. “But the purpose of
this separate rally is to show the world that there should be no doubt in the minds
of any enemies about our love for Pakistan, its people and that we are living here
in peace,” Sahin Singh said.
Sikh elders said they were busy in celebrations since last night, when the traditional
hullabaloo of the Independence Day started after the youth removed silencers from
their bikes and danced to loud music till late night.
On their way during the rally Sikh youth also made circles and performed traditional
dandia dance with a pair of colourfully decorated sticks in hands as well as traditional
Pashtun attan dance and received applause from the onlookers.
Baba Jee Gorpal Singh told The Express Tribune that in the past years, Sikhs
celebrated independence in Lahore and Wagah border, but this year, they have
changed the plan and decided to hold celebration in their own city, Peshawar.
“It was first ever rally in which 150 bikers participate,” said Gorpal. He added that
Christians, Hindus and Muslim youth also taken part this Azadi Rally to show unity
their unity to world.
“The purpose of the rally was also to show the world that we are living here in a
complete peace and face no problems or discrimination,” Gorpal Singh told.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2017.
By Muhammad Shahzad
The two teens have been friends since college and share mutual respect for each other religions. PHOTO:
EXPRESS TRIBUNE
LAHORE: When you see Harpal Singh and Yasir Ali walking with their arms around each
other’s shoulders at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, it looks a scene from the 2015 Bollywood
movie Angrej, a tale of friendship between Muslim and Sikh youths during pre-partition
Punjab. But this is real life and Singh and Ali have a much deeper bond than any fictional
silver screen characters can depict.
The two teens have been friends since college and share mutual respect for each other
religions. Earlier this week, they were both walking around in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib,
the birthplace of founder of Sikh religion Guru Nanak and a sacred site for Sikhs.
“My parents and grandparents used to tell us that whenever there was a conflict on
water or land issue, their Muslim relatives and neighbours would stand with them
against their opponent villagers,” Singh told The Express Tribune.
He befriended Ali just two years ago when they began studying at Heera College
Nankana Sahib. Later, he moved to Ali’s neighbourhood from Old Nankana Sahib and
their friendship deepened.
Singh explained that since he was new in Ali’s locality, he had to face various issues
in settling down. “Ali supported me a lot and sometimes he went out of the way to
facilitate me,” he said. “As a result, we became best friends in a very short time.”
Ali, who was at Singh’s side chimed in that they spend most of their time together.
“We just go to our homes to sleep,” he laughed. “We are together in college, play
cricket and video-games together and even share one plate to eat.”
To Singh nothing is more precious than their friendship and the difference of their
religions has never been a hurdle. Ali, however, admitted that a few times some
students had taunted him for befriending a Sikh guy but he has been quick to
correct them.
“On a number of occasions I explained to them that the friendship between Muslims
and Sikhs is centuries-old. When they tried to argue I simply told them to shut up,”
he said.
Ali said that many times he has explained to people that Guru Granth Sahib – the
sacred book of Sikhs – was incomplete without Farid Lekha – 100 versus by Baba
Farid, who is a Muslim Sufi poet.
“Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs all over the world equally respect Guru Nanak Sahib,”
he said. “Even Muslims and Hindu had a dispute after the Nanak Sahib’s death over
his burial. Muslims wanted to bury him while Hindus wanted to cremate him.”
Both the communities claimed Nanak belonged to their religion, he added.
Ali further said that the founding stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is
the second holiest place for Sikhs, was laid by Mian Mir Sahib – a Sufi poet.
Similarly, Muslims have been paying visit to Nanak Sahib for centuries, he added.
Ali also said that many a times his knowledge and explanation of the history of
the Sikh-Muslim friendship has left his friends speechless.
Despite having to face the occasional taunt, Singh and Ali expressed the resolve
that come what may their friendship would continue to strengthen with time.
Jamshed Liaquat, a visitor who had come from Mandi Faizabad with his three-year-
old son Jasim Liaquat to pay homage to Nankana Sahib, was happy to see the duo.
“Friendship – the most valuable human relationship – transcends caste, colour and
religion,” he said.
SOURCE:
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1483232/meet-teens-keeping-centuries-old-sikh-muslim-friend
ship-alive/
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