WASHINGTON, DC: Baba Farid Memorial Society (Regd) an international organization for promoting inter-religious understanding, most recently initiated chapters in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and California. Prof Gurcharan Singh, General Secretary of Baba Farid Memorial Society (BFMS) during his recent visit to the United States addressed meetings of small groups and in Gurdwaras in which he made an appeal for organizing Baba Farid Memorial Society so that better understanding can be communicated among various ethnic groups, especially between Punjabis hailing from India and Pakistan and those living in the USA and other parts of the world.

The Washington chapter of BFMS has been designated as the national headquarters where close links may be established with other units. The Washington unit has the following office bearers:

Dr. Sam Iftikhar, Chairman, Dr. Sujit Kaur, National Coordinator-cum-Convener, S. Swaranjit Singh, National Youth Coordinator.

Dr. Sujit Kaur will get in touch with the various chapters in the United States to detail plans. Each chapter is expected to follow its own program according to local conditions. The main feature of the programs:

Lectures and seminars on the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and Sufi Saints.

To high light main features of Punjab History and Culture besides holding classes for teaching Panjabi Language and Gurmukhi Script.

To organize youth exchange programs.

To publish literature on Sikhism and Sufism.

To arrange annual meets at various places in the USA.

To offer prizes/awards, scholarships and grants to individuals in furtherance of the aims and ‘objectives of the Society.

To establish close links with the parent body in India.

To help produce video cassettes on history and culture of the Punjab in collaboration with likeminded bodies.

The Baba Farid Memorial Society was formed initially to commemorate the 800th birth anniversary of Baba Sheikh Farid, who was born in 1173 A.D in a village near the city of Multan, now in Pakistan. Baba Farid lived to be 93 anddiedin12 6 6ADina town near the river Satluj which has since been known as Pakpatan, the Sacred Ferry. Both his place of birth and mausoleum are now in Pakistan. Baba Farid was a mystic revered alike by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. He was also the first great poet of the Panjabi language. Before he died he nominated Hazrat Nizzamudin Auliya as his spiritual successor, but left his writings with his sons who became the caretakers of his tomb in Pakpatan. It was from one of his descendants that Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion acquired hishymnssometimeinthe1 6th century. Later on these hymns were incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib the holy scripture.

Several functions at national and international level have been organized under the auspices of Baba Farid Memorial Society.

The headquarters of BFMS is located in India. Dr GS. Dhillon (former speaker Lok Sabha) is its President and Prof Gurcharan Singh, its general secretary.

The Washington Chapter of BFMS is pleased to announce a joint function to be organized in collaboration with Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. At this inaugural function the most distinguished and internationally acknowledged Ragi Jatha of Bhai Dilbag Singh/Gulbag Singh will sing Baba Farids bani in the traditional classical Ragas in front of a large audience drawn from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Local artists: Bibi Amarjit Kaur, Mrs. Bimal Multani, Ms. Parveen Chauhan and Ms. Bedaar will also sing Baba Farid’s bani at this function which is to be held on May 25,8:0010:00pmat 6100 Ager Road, Hyattsville, MD.

For further information call Dr. Sam Iftikhar (BFMS) (301) 4227788, Dr. Rajwant Singh (GGSF) (301)384-7 635, Dr. Sunjit Kaur (BFMS) (703)5 60-7387.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 25, 1990