Dear Editor,
Sa Sri Akal, May 1 present my views in your WSN columns on the letters to editor in recent months.
I reading recent letters in WSN news, one would get the feeling there are many among us who believe, Sikhs with beards and to bans are the only true Representatives’ of Sikh religion. Many are troubled that some shave, and then there are some who believe mixed marriages are synonymous with divorces and unstable children. Now think again. If that were the case, we should be very proud of Giani Jail Singh, Chief Minister Beant and Police Chief Gill and our intra Sikh marriages would be perfect examples of “family.” Do you buy all that?
In my opinion, religion is not something written in scriptures or what one Says, but, it is the way one lives. Are traditions that important? Guru Nanak didn’t think so. Read what he saido n wearing Jeneyu, Arti and Worship, (after attending prayers in Mosque with Moolans”), Let us look at what is right or wrong; and what is real. Further believe, every marriage is a mixed marriage, rich with poor, educated with uneducated, Punjabi Sikh with an Indian, Indo-American or African Sikh..! Where would one say, it is not a mixed marriage, nor do I believe children born to mixed managed copies are unstable emotional misfits.
Let me say to my brothers “lighten up.” Do not worry yourself. If you must worry then | would say, worry about being an ambassador of our Religion. We Sikhs are good at standing up for the nights of others, let us do that, i.e., like Bosnians, Kurds, Kashmiris. You know by protecting rights of others we protect our own rights, Educating our Sikh men, women and children, so we may be able to contribute something good to the society and mankind. Have you thought of tolerance? Our Ardas says a lot. Try understanding others; Quit worrying if others do not fit your image of Sikhism. If turban, beard, going to Gurdwara or marrying another Sikh makes you comfortable, do it. Try bringing not only Sikhs together but also all of northwest, “We want to build a Nation.” Many a mixed marriages is based on love, we have lot more important things to do. Let us not alienate our own? Sikh in any garb is a Sikh.
Narjit B.Singh Anaheim, CA
Article extracted from this publication >> August 6, 1993
