Preface

Meeting Sikhs

A CA Publication

Edited by Joy Barrow

Preface

Meeting Sikhs is a normal part of Christians Aware's programme, in Britain and around the world. The programme includes "listening days," visits to Sikh places of worship and community, conferences and courses. Through the "Faith Awareness" programme, which has its home in Southall, the European centre for Sikhism, many people have met members of the Sikh community and have come to appreciate their way of life, including as it so obviously does, generosity, hospitality and sacrificial service wherever it is needed. The "Faith Awareness" leaflet includes a Sikh prayer, "Thank you God for the opportunity to serve."

This book is the second in our series on meeting people of other faiths in Britain. It is offered as a contribution especially for Christians who would like to understand their Sikh neighbours. Our hope in publishing the book is that it will not only offer an insight into the Sikh community and faith, undoubtedly an enrichment in itself, but that it would be an encouragement towards real meetings between people of faith. Our experience is that meetings will normally and naturally lead on to understanding, trust and working together in local communities and in the nation.

My personal encounters with Sikh friends have mainly been in Southall and Leicester. When I have visited gurdwaras I have always appreciated the devotion of the people; women, men and children. I have always received hospitality and kindness and a real interest in my concerns. When I helped with the running of the London inter faith walks for peace I was welt aware that we always depended upon the Sikh community for refreshment along the way and for a good meal at-the end of the journey.

Christians Aware groups in India have experienced Sikh hospitality and generosity on many occasions. On a visit to a community in Bangalore the group was welcomed and taken on a full tour of the beautiful gurdwara. Everything was explained in great detail and people were introduced to each other. The visit to the kitchen was talked about long afterwards. The visitors were very impressed because a cross-section of the community, men, women and children, was at work in the kitchen, making bread and cooking delicious pots of food, ready for the community celebration after the worship. 'The Bangalore visit was not unusual but typical; an opportunity for enrichment, understanding and sharing.

Christians living in Britain have perhaps a special responsibility to meet their neighbours of other faiths and to learn from them. One of our hopes in offering opportunities for meetings is that Britain may become a good example of inter faith understanding and work which others may follow. Meeting Sikhs is not an option for the Christian but rather an essential part of the challenge towards Christian living and discipleship in our world, in which Sikhs and people of other faiths also live and work.

Barbara Butler.