Non-Sikh Marriages in Gurdwara Sahibs

For the protection of Sikh ethics, the Respectful conduct of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the preservation of the Khalsa Panth in the UK, the issue of Non-Sikh marriages in Gurdwara Sahibs was addressed by Akal Thakt.

Yes the Sikh Gurdwara is open to all faiths, colours, castes and backgrounds. Sikhs believe that God exists in everyone therefore serving the creation is like serving the creator. How ever Sikhs do have a code of conduct which has been put in place to maintain the respect of Sikh principals.

Some Gurdwara sahibs in the Uk allow a non- Sikh to get marries to a Sikh in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Reasons why some feel this practice is making mockery of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

In order to be a Sikh you must have faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and recognize Maharaj as the true Guru. You may not be a fully practicing Sikh, but one day you aim to become one. SO one point is that if a person is not a Sikh, why would they want a Sikh wedding? (There is no logic in this).

If you live in England, you can’t play for Brazil world cup team. Because that would be making a mockery of the national team, yet we allow non Sikhs who have no faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to make a oath in front of Guru Ji. (Where is the logic?)

In a court of Law a Bible is presented to a Christian, a Quran to a Muslim on which an oath is sworn, and not vice versa. A marriage is also an oath, and in the presence of ‘Jaag di Jhot’ Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji only those who have accepted Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their Guru should be taking marriages vows - otherwise it’s a mockery of the system, and disrespect to Guru Sahib”

We do not oppose interfaith marriages, but we will not tolerate the abuse of the Sikh Gurdwara code of conduct. Those wanted to have a interfaith marriage should have a wedding some where else and not bring their unlogical, piss taking activities into the Gurdwara.

What is the traditional code of Conduct laid by Guru Ji and the Sikh Rehatnamas?

Have relations with a Sikh of the Guru. (Rehatnama Bhai Chaupa Singh)

Killing a daughter or to give a daughter (in marriage) to a non-Sikh, such a person commits great offence. Sikh should give his daughter (in marriage) to a Sikh. Thus Gurmukh meets a Gurmukh. Giving a daughter to a Bhadni (non-Sikh) is like giving nectar to a snake. (Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh)

A Sikh gives (in marriage) his daughter to a Sikh and does not accept any money in exchange. He is my Sikh and will reach in my presence. – Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

When the daughter comes of age only then relations should be contracted, not for a very young girl. And the relations should be Sikhs of the Guru. (Prem Sumagar)

On the 16th of August 2007 after sustained campaigning by UK Sikh youth, Sri Akal Takht, Amritsar reiterated the Reht Maryada for Anand Karaj ceremonies.
Sri Akaal Takht Sahib is the Throne of the Almighty and the orders issued by it are called Hukamnamas. Hukamnama literally means "Royal Order."

The existing Code of conduct regarding persons of other religions participating in an Anand Karaj ceremony is as follows:-
THE CODE OF SIKH CONDUCT AND CONVENTIONS
k. Persons professing faiths other than the Sikh faith cannot be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony.

Despite this many Gurudwara Committees across the UK are choosing to abuse this Maryada for financial gains.

As of 16th August 2007 new guidelines issues by Sri Akal Takhat

Any persons previously of a religion other than Sikhism must show his/her commitment to the PERSUIT of Sikhi by applying the following criteria:

Include Singh or Kaur in the name - Changing by Deed Poll including Passport & Driving License.


Translation of royal order:

Ik Ongkar Sri Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar
Giani Joginder Singh, Jethadar

Date: 16-8-2007

Anand Sanskar"Marriage Ceremony"

This is a message to all the Sikh Sangat that according to the Rehat Maryada only Sikh couples (male/female) can engage in the Anand Karaj Ceremony. If the couple or either one of them is not a Sikh, then they must embrace the Sikh faith.

This includes that they must change their second name to Singh or Kaur in their official document (e.g. driving licence, identity card, and passport) before the marriage.

(Signed)

(Joginder Singh)Jathedar

Frontline comments:

We must all keep in mind we only become a true sikh once we take amrit and follow rehat maryada. only then do we become a real Singh and Kaur.

Ex-cop quizzed over inaction during 1984 anti-sikh riots.

A random member of Dehli Police

A retired Delhi Police inspector, who was a member of the team that probed an anti-Sikh riot case, today found himself on the back foot when he was asked questions on alleged police inaction at the time when a mob killed a victim.

Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar deferred the matter for tomorrow as Mamchand, posted in the Riot Cell constituted to look into the 1984 riots cases, expressed his inability to respond to the queries as to why the armed policemen refrained from using force when the mob killed Gurbakshish Singh.

Singh was killed outside his house at Paschim Vihar here by a mob in the riot that had followed the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

Mute spectators?

The FIR names Ishwar Singh, Jagdish Singh and Sajjan Singh as the accused in the case and Singh's father Swaran Singh Bhatia had identified the trio before the court and further claimed that the policemen remained mute spectators during the entire episode.

During the investigation, Mamchand had examined inspector Rana, who was present at the crime scene but allegedly did nothing to save the victim or his family from the irate mob.

After Mamchand testified that he was asked to handle the present case and he recorded statements of a few victims and witnesses in the case, the prosecutor asked him as to what was the explanation given by Rana regarding his alleged inaction.

The prosecutor further asked him if any criminal case was pending against Rana for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty as he failed to help the victims.

Mamchand, who had earlier said that no action was taken against Rana as his explanations were found satisfactory by him and other senior officers, sought some time to respond.

Midlands Event

With Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharajh's beant kirpa, a number of Singhs in the UK have completed their santhia of Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

The singhs were very fortunate to have Ustad Bhai Balkar Singh from Damdami Taksal come from the Punjab to the UK specifically in order to teach santhia to these singhs.

To celebrate the completion of the santhia, the singhs are holding a small programme on Saturday 23rd February 2008 at; Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji Gurdwara Tividale, Birmingham

Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Akal Ustat will be read from Dasam Granth Sahib Ji and this will then be followed by Katha and kirtan. Everyone is welcome to attend and take laha from Guru Maharajh's Gurbani.

The programme will start at around 18:00 and will finish at around 22:30

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa Vaheguru ji ki fateh

Who knows when death will strike

Kim Sjostrom wanted a real-life version of the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which played in the background as friends fixed her hair and makeup before her own marriage ceremony.

But less than an hour after she and Teddy Efkarpides were wed, Sjostrom crumpled in her husband's arms during a Greek song that means "Love Me."

At 36, Sjostrom was dead from heart disease.

The wedding had became a project at Davie Elementary School, where Sjostrom taught first grade. Fellow teachers provided the wedding gown, the flowers and decorations. One of them, an ordained minister, performed the ceremony.

"It was perfect for her," said Dominic Church, the minister friend.

Sjostrom carried blue and white flowers during the ceremony — the colors of the Greek flag — as she exchanged vows with Efkarpides, a 43-year-old carpenter and Navy veteran. They had met three years to the day before the Jan. 19 wedding.

During the couple's first dance, Sjostrom complained of being lightheaded. Efkarpides thought his wife, a diabetic, needed sugar, but she collapsed.

Wedding guests, paramedics and doctors at a nearby hospital were unable to revive her.

She had a previous cardiac episode in her 20s and was a poster child — literally — for juvenile diabetes, relatives and friends said. Efkarpides recalled seeing the poster featuring her on New York subways.

He consoles himself by reading a list of "101 Reasons Why I Love You" that Sjostrom gave him on their first Christmas together. "Number 1. You make me smile."

No. 98 is especially difficult: "You're the one I want to grow old with."

Without God, our Husband, our Lord and Master, all friends and companions are like the Messenger of Death. Ang 133 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

In the love of duality, the soul-bride is ruined; around her neck she wears the noose of Death. Ang 134 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Some do not think of death; they entertain great hopes. Ang 143 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji