Posted on 10/07/2015 11:19:05 PM PDT by Cronos
Large-hearted Sikhs have taken their traditional community kitchen to one of the most dangerous places on earth today - Syria. Giving a twist to the concept of langar, a group of Punjabi NRIs has collaborated with locals to provide fresh bread to nearly 14,000 refugees daily in the strife-torn region for several months now.
Langar Aid, an extension of UK-based NGO Khalsa Aid, is located in the Pesh Harbour area, about 35km from the Kurdish city of Duhok and 10km from the Syrian border. Almost 70% of the members of Langar Aid are with Punjabi roots, besides some European volunteers as well.
Instead of the classic kitchen, Langar Aid set up a bakery because IS fighters were destroying any food coming in for the Yazidis. While Khalsa Aid provided the machinery and Joint Help for Kurdistan gave a new building to house the bakery , the local government in Duhok is providing free power.
UK-based Indy Hothi, a 27-year-old economist-cum volunteer of Indian origin said, "We set up a bakery at a refugee camp for Yazidi people to provide a self-sustaining solution. Support in the form of food for distressed people has been there for over a year now and organizations from Sweden are helping run the bakeries. Help is also pouring in from Serbia and Greece."
"Refugees often mistake us for IS because of our appearance," said Ravi Singh, CEO of Khalsa Aid, but that not deterred this unique force. "I was there about two months back and it was a very overwhelming experience. It was poignant to meet a family that had fled from their homes with their 10-monthold child and they were pleasantly surprised to find aid in the middle of nowhere. Then there was an elderly lady who still wanted to return to her village she had built after years of hard work. The situation will get more challenging as winter sets in."
Don't mistake these guys for Moslems just because they wear turbans
Even if idiots can’t tell the difference between the headgear of a Sikh vs. a Mohammadan, they could certainly tell by demeanor. Sikhs don’t emit waves of evil.
No kidding. Their religion is what prevented the entire sub continent from being overrun by the Mogul hordes. They are wonderful folks.
On Turbans, Sikhs and Muslims:
” Over the ears, have no fears
Ears showing, Danger Growing “
I always give a smile and friendly wave to any Sikhs i happen to come across!
[ No kidding. Their religion is what prevented the entire sub continent from being overrun by the Mogul hordes. They are wonderful folks. ]
Sikhs are pretty much the “Paladins” or “Crusader Knights” of Hinduism, or at least that is how it started as an defensive/offensive offshoot of Hindus to deal with the Muslim/Mohgul invasion of India in the middle ages.
Sikhs are the only ones I trust in that part of the world. Kurds too.
Sikh are great people and great neighbors. we could use some more of them in this country. They keep their customs but they assimilate well as in they do not move here a try to change the system we have.
I would rather have a squad of Sikhs and Mormons watching my six an flanks than a divisions of evangelicals
Folded hand can pray, do yoga and martial arts, other than that the make pretty useless weapons.
God bless them. I pray for their safety.
Top Ten Sikh Beliefs:
1. Worship One God / Acknowledge one creator, do not worship demi-gods or idols
2. Treat everyone equally / Do not show distinction or rank because of race, class, or gender.
3. Live by these three primary principles /
Be always absorbed in meditation and prayer.
Make an honest income by honorable methods.
Share earnings and selflessly serve others.
4. Avoid the 5 sins of ego / Practice daily prayer and meditation to reduce the effects of ego and prevent indulgence in:
Pride
Lust
Greed
Anger
Attachment
5. Become Baptized
Be spiritually reborn by taking part in the baptism ceremony conducted by the “Five Beloved” Sikhs, who prepare and administer immortalizing nectar to initiates.
6. Keep the Code of Honor
Live according to specific individual, and communal, ethical and spiritual commitments. Forsake worldly ties. Abide by the guru’s teachings. Practice daily worship
7. Wear the Five Articles of Faith
Wear the Sikh undergarment for modesty and health.
Wear a wooden comb in the turban to keep hair clean and untangled.
Wear a steel wristlet as a sign of faith.
Wear hair uncut, to honor the creator’s intention.
Wear a small sword symbolic of defending the religious rights of all faiths.
8. Follow the four commandments
Do not dishonor the creator’s intention by cutting the hair.
Do not harm the body with tobacco or other intoxicants.
Do not eat sacrificial meat.
Do not commit adultery.
9. Recite the Five Daily Prayers
Repeat the morning prayers.
Repeat the evening prayer.
Repeat the bedtime prayer.
10. Take Part in Fellowship
Worship together and sing God’s praise.
Cook and eat together.
Serve each other.
http://sikhism.about.com/od/sikhism101/tp/Top_Ten_Sikh_Beliefs.htm
Interesting, how that chart bears a similarity to Thomas Aquinas’s discussion of the Seven Deadly Sins.
The bad stuff, on the outside of the circle, matches up pretty well to what we Christians consider bad stuff too.
May The One True God bless these kind folks and lead them to Truth.
I get PO’d when the Sikhs are mistaken for lowlife vile scumbag mussies!
Bringing Sikhs into this country would not hurt us. Bringing millions of screaming savages will.
bump
muslims seem to avoid Sikhs. We’ve been very fortunate to have a large Sikh presence in our neighborhood who have kept the cockroaches out.
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