The Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest authority for the Sikhs, Singh Sahib Manjit Singh participated in the proceedings of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in Chicago, USA, August 28September 3.
Singh Sahib Manjit Singh was one of the Presidents of the 1993 Parliament in his capacity as the Spiritual and temporal’ leader of the Sikhs. He took part in discussions with other religious leaders as a member of the Assembly of Spiritual and Religious leaders, which discussed critical issues facing the world related to promoting understanding and cooperation among the world’s religious com munities. The Assembly also dis cussed and approved a statement of global ethics. During the Assembly’s discussions, Singh Sahib also posed two insightful questions to the religious leaders, Singh Sahib asked, “How can the members of this assembly realistically influence world affairs in order to implement the noble ideas discussed here today.” Singh Sahib further asked the Assembly to de liberate upon the confusing situation in education that society is creating for the young all over the world. He cautioned, “at home children learn values that reflect the traditional biases of their parents, at school the same children invariably learn more secular values, and al church children are taught yet another ethical tradition. Instead of offering today’s youth a coherent set of values, our institutions are bombarding children with sometimes contradictory messages.” Singh Sahib’s input was well received and the issues he raised were discussed extensively. “Together the world’s religions must develop common Strategies that include specific and practicable goals to address crises facing humanity that include AIDS, famine and human rights,” urged Singh Sahib Manjit Singh. This was the first time the fore most Sikh authority, the Akal Takhat, has been represented at a major interfaith forum where its representative expressed concern for a wide range of issues facing humanity.
Shabad Guru
Singh Sahib gave a major presentation on Aug.31 titled, “The Word Shabd Guru: The Only Way to World Peace.” Singh Sahib described the revelatory experience of the Sikh Gurus and compared it to those of the prophets of other faiths. God inspired words which are the articulation of revelatory experience offer humanity an opportunity to unite with the creator. The Sikh scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, the product of the Sikh Gurus’ revelation is a universal guide to develop spiritual orientation. In his conclusion he said, “Inspired by the Gurus Sikhs ‘ire at one with all those who de sire 10 save this endangered planet and the suffering humanity on it. We are convinced that it can only be done by mutual understanding, tolerance and through emotional affinity among the followers of various religions, I close this presentation with a wonderful couplet from the Sikh scriptures which is the common heritage of all men of good will. I pray: The world is on fire O Lord! Save it with thine benediction. Save all at all doors. (GGS.P.853) Meeting with Sikh Children This was the Jathedars Sahib’s first visit to the United States and he also took the opportunity to meet the Sikh congregations at Chicago and New York areas. One of the most significant aspect of these meetings was Singh Sahib’s meetings with Sikh children, the children discussed with him issues they faced growing up in American culture as Sikhs who were proud of their Khalsa identity. Many children felt that parents were not sensitive to their concerns, and that all too often their complaints at Gurdwara are brushed aside. Singh Sahib Manjit Singh suggested that the Sikh community create three forums: one for just the children where they can discuss their concerns, one forum where the parents put their heads together to address the children’s grievances, and finally forum where parents and children interact to resolve the issues, Singh Sahib recognized that the generation gap between parents raised in Punjab and their American raised children can be narrowed only through effective and honest communication. Singh Sahib, nevertheless, later said, “I am heartened to see that the message of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh has spread far be yond Punjab, and is flourishing among the Sikh youth of America.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 1, 1993
