THE HISTORY OF RELIGION OF SIKH NAM E: SAKTIVE LL A/L M ANIM AR AN ID:5 4 2 11 2 2 2 0 4 9 SUBJECT: CULTURE AND LIFES TY LE IN M ALAYS I A 2
INTRODUCTION Since Sept. 11th, Sikhs, like other Americans, have been grappling with grief and fear. But their fear is not only about another assault from outside. Many Sikhs have become victims of hate crimes because of their appearance. Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh American (Balbir Singh Sodhi), was killed on Sept.15 as a result of mistaken identity. Across America, the only people who wear turbans are followers of the Sikh religion. Sikhs are from Northern India (Punjab) and are neither Hindus nor Muslims. Sikhism - The word Sikh (pronounced "sickh") means 'disciple' or 'learner.' The Sikh religion was founded in Northern India in the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and is distinct from Islam and Hinduism. Sikhism is monotheistic and stresses the equality of all men and women. Sikhs believe in three basic principles; meditating on the name of God (praying), earning a living by honest means as well as sharing the fruits of one’s labor with others. Sikhism rejects caste and class systems and emphasizes service to humanity
HISTORY OF SIKH MALAYSIA Merdeka means Independence in the Malay language. In 1957, after many detailed negotiations and reflecting truly the unmatched [with the current insular minded] maturity of the Malayan leaders,in which there were Sikhs as well, representing beyond their real numbers, the word Merdeka was shouted three times at the strike of midnight on 31 of August 1757 from the main square, known as Merdeka Square today, in the capital Kuala Lumpur. The Prime Minsiter, Tuanku Abdul Rahman led the nation to MerdekaIndependence.Sadly, slowly but surely, all the major historical roles of the Chinese and Indian Malaysians, has been erased and played down since 1957, in the false spirit of One Malaysi. Where the ONE Malaysia concepts is always leaning upon the needs, wants and bickering of one single community that has been spoon-fed with taxes of largely the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.Among the Indians, such discriminatory policies of the administration in favor of one race has also affected the Sikhs. The Sikhs have played a major role in the policing and defence of Malaya, and no lesser in the development and building the social fabric of Malaysian society.The Sikhs role has been largely forgotten and washed off the history books. Thus it has become important the old history of Sikhs is preserved and recorded. Many efforts made by Sr Malkiat Singh Lopon about 49 years, did bear some fruit, but not fully materialised, where a small text book is readily available to Punjabi and Sikh community and it's youngsters who can remain connected to their glorious history in this country and roles played by their ancestors. Let us go back, 150 years into history - around 1828.By 1828, it appears Sikhs had traveled to this region. In that year according to the Lanfang Archives of the Lanfang Republic, which existed in West Kalimantan, with Sinkiawang as it's capital, was negotiating with two Sikhs, to recruit Sikh soldiers to defend their republic from the Dutch.
BASIC BELIEF OF SIKH The basic beliefs of Sikhism include the oneness of God, equality of all people, selfless service, honesty, meditation on God's name, earning an honest living, equal status for women, rejection of rituals and idol worship, reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib, and the goal of breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation.
WORSHIP PLACES Sikh worship places are called "Gurdwaras." These are places where Sikhs gather for congregational worship, prayer, and community events. The central focus of a Gurdwara is the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. Some wellknown Gurdwaras include: 1.Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple): Located in Amritsar, India, the Golden Temple is the holiest Gurdwara and a significant pilgrimage site for Sikhs. 2.Bangla Sahib: Situated in New Delhi, India, this Gurdwara is known for its large Sarovar (pond) and the compassionate community kitchen (Langar) that serves free meals to visitors. .3. Hazur Sahib: Located in Nanded, Maharashtra, India, Hazur Sahib is a prominent Gurdwara built at the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, left his physical form. 4.Paonta Sahib: Situated in Himachal Pradesh, India, this Gurdwara is associated with Guru Gobind Singh, who spent some years of his life there. 5.Anandpur Sahib: Located in Punjab, India, Anandpur Sahib is a historic Gurdwara closely linked to Sikh festivals and events, such as Vaisakhi.
SIKH FESTIVAL & CELEBRATIONS • Shaheedi Jod Maghi Mela (Mela Maghi) • Parkash Utsav Dasmeh Patshah Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji • Sikh New Year • Vaisakhi
Shaheedi Jod Maghi Mela (Mela Maghi) This festival commemorates to the 40 Muktas (40 Martyrs) who fought in the Battle of Muktsar. Maghi Mela has been celebrated in the city of Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab for centuries in memory of 40 Sikh warriors who were killed fighting the Mughals in the Battle of Khidrana in 1705. It was after this battle that Khidrana was named Muktsar, or the pool of liberation. Over the years, political conferences became the main attraction in this mela, and often set the political tone for the state. Since 2018, however, there have been attempts to reduce the number of conferences and de-politicise the festival.
Parkash Utsav Dasmeh Patshah Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji This festival's name, when translated, means the birth celebration of the 10th Divine Light, or Divine Knowledges. It commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. The festival is one of the most widely celebrated event by Sikhs
Sikh New Year The Sikh new year in accordance to the Sikh Calendar (Nanakshahi Calendar).
Holla Mohalla An annual festival of thousands held at Anandpur Sahib. It was started by Guru Gobind Singh as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles. The mock battles were followed by kirtan and valour poetry competitions. Today the Nihang Singhs carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. There are also a number of darbars where kirtan is sung. It is celebrated by Sikhs across the world as 'Sikh Olympics' with events and competitions of swordsmanship, horse riding, Gatka (Sikh martial arts), falconry and others by Nihang Singhs.
Vaisakhi In Punjab it is celebrated as the Birth of the Khalsa brotherhood. It is celebrated at a large scale at Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib. In India, U.K., Canada, United States, and other Sikh populated areas, people come together for a public mela or parade. The main part of the mela is where a local Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) has a beautiful Sikh themed float on which the Guru Granth Sahib is located and every one offers their respect by bowing with much reverence and fervour. To mark the celebrations, Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurudwara before dawn with flowers and offerings in hands. Processions through towns are also common. Vaisakhi is the day on which the Khalsa was born and Sikhs were given a clear identity and a code of conduct to live by, led by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who baptized the first Sikhs using sweet nectar called Amrit
SIKH DRESS CODE Traditional Sikh dress is an ordinary kurtah and cotton trousers, covered by a long hanging coat (choghah). The male Sikh is recognized especially by his practice of wearing his hair and beard uncut, the former being covered by a particularly large turban and the latter often restrained by a net.
CONCLUSION Conclusion. The Sikhs understand their religion as the product of five pivotal events. The first was the teaching of Guru Nanak: his message of liberation through meditation on the divine name. The second was the arming of the Sikhs by Guru Hargobind.
THANK YOU