Thursday, September 4, 2008

Sikhs hold prayers

IPOH: Sikh devotees yesterday celebrated the 404th anniversary of Prakash Dihara, which is the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book.

It is a significant day in the Sikh calendar and most Sikh temples held prayers from morning till evening.

"There were some Sikh temples in Ipoh that held 48 hours of non-stop prayers to read the whole 1,430-page Guru Granth Sahib," said Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill, president of the Malaysian National Sikhs Movement (GERAKSIKH).

NST, 2/9/2008

GERAKSIKH congratulates all Malaysian on 51st Merdeka

Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GERAKSIKH) President, Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill, the Executive Council, Central Committee Members and Members of GERAKSIKH congratulates all Malaysians on the 51 years of Independance.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, Ipoh Nagar Kirtan on 11th October, 2008

GERAKSIKH: Dear Sangat, please take note of the programme organised by Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, Ipoh in conjunction with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Gurta Gadhi Dihara. The Programme is listed below. Let us all come in full force and make this event a great success.

A notice from Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, Ipoh is attached below. Thank you. GERAKSIKH.

---------------

A Notice from http://www.gurdwarasahibjelapang.co.cc/

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ram Das Di 474th Avtar Dihara, Gurpurab programs are starting on 29/8/2008 until 9/10/2008. It will be 42 days continue program.

Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, Ipoh 100 Celebration NAGAR KIRTAN and 300 years Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Gurta Gadhi Dihara NAGAR KIRTAN will be held on 11th October 2008 at 5.00 p.m until 11.00 p.m. from Gurdwara Sahib Buntong, Ipoh to Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, Ipoh.

The NAGAR KIRTAN will be 7km. All the information, maps and many others thing can be taken at gurdwara sahib jelapang, ipoh and kindly please visit http://www.gurdwarasahibjelapang.co.cc/

To make any donation for this programs please contact us at gsjipoh@yahoo.com or visit http://www.gurdwarasahibjelapang.co.cc/ or come directly to no. 68, Gurdwara Sahib Jelapang, Ipoh, Jalan Jelapang, 30020, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Sikhs join Christians in legal battle over use of 'Allah'

A SIKH group in Malaysia is demanding the right to use the world 'Allah' as a synonym for God and has joined a legal battle by Christians against a government order banning non-Muslims from using it.

The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council filed an application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday seeking to join a suit by The Herald, a Roman Catholic newspaper, against the government over the use of the word 'Allah', said council president Sardar Jagir Singh.

The Home Ministry previously ordered the newspaper not to use the word 'Allah' in its Malay-language publication as a translation for God, saying it would confuse Muslims. The Herald then filed the suit, claiming it had a right to use the term.

Mr Jagir said his council, representing more than 100,000 Sikhs, wanted to join the suit because the ruling would affect them too.

The word 'Allah' appears on 'numerous occasions' in the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, he said. 'Not a word can be altered. It's our holiest book...it will mean we can't practise our own religion.'

Mr Jagir said he has not received a court date for the suit yet.

The High Court is scheduled to hear, next Wednesday, the applications of several Islamic institutions that have applied to intervene in the suit to defend the ban.

The Herald - which publishes in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil - says 'Allah' is an Arabic word that predates Islam and has been used for centuries to mean 'God' in Malay.

The government has not explained how the use of 'Allah' by other religions would confuse Muslims, but apparently wants to draw a sharp distinction between God in the Islamic faith from other faiths.

The case is one in an increasing series of complaints by religious minorities in Malaysia that their rights have been undermined by government efforts to bolster the status of Islam, the country's official religion.

In a separate case, the Sabah Evangelical Church of Borneo has filed a lawsuit in an effort to be allowed to use the word 'Allah' after officials last year banned the import of books containing the word.

Hearings in that case are still in the preliminary stages.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

‘Allah’ case: Sikh council wants to be party too

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 ─ The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council has filed an application to intervene in the judicial review over the Home Ministry's decision to prohibit the use of word "Allah" in the Herald-Catholic Weekly. The review was sought by the archbishop of Kuala Lumpur who obtained leave from the High Court on May 5.

Following this, four state Islamic religious councils, namely of Perak, Federal Territories, Terengganu and Penang, filed applications to become interveners in the review hearing.

The Gurdwaras council, which represents the Sikh community, filed its application to be named as a respondent in the case on July 1 at the High Court Registry in Jalan Duta through Messrs Jagjit Singh & Co.

The affidavit in support, sworn by its president Jagir Singh, stated that the council was particularly concerned and held interest in the declaration sought by the archbishop that the word "Allah" was not exclusive to Islam.

It went on to say that the word "Allah" to refer to God was an integral part of the original version of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji ─ the Sikh holy book.

"It was a revelation from God in the original language and not a translation, which not even a word can be altered, amended or changed.

"I humbly state that not a single Sikh will compromise with any suppression of the original term from our holy book (including the term/word Allah as contained in it) in whatever form or way," it said. ─ Bernama (4/7/2008)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

FOR THE ATTENTION OF Students who have completed SPM and obtained 10A1

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,

Students who have obtained 10A1 at the recent SPM examination and have applied for Scholarship but have not been successful and/or rejected, please contact GERAKSIKH immediately.

You may contact Dato’ G. Amarjit Singh at 012.5008889 or at amarjit@geraksikh.org.my so that GERAKSIKH can look into the above matter.

When contacting GERAKSIKH, you will have to give us the following information:
a) Name
b) IC No.
c) Address
d) Tel No; Hp No;
e) Correspondence (if any)
f) Rejection letter (if any)

Thank you

Monday, April 28, 2008

Amarjit awarded Datukship


Secretary General of Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GERAKSIKH), Amarjit Singh Gill has been awarded the Darjah Dato' Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) which carries the title 'Datuk' in conjunction with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah's 80th birthday celebration today.

The prominent cycling official and an Ipoh-based lawyer Amarjit is an International Cycling Union (UCI) Anti Doping Inspector and also Vice President of the Perak Cycling Association.

He is also the Secretary of UNESCO Youth Forum Advisory Committee, the only Malaysian elected by delegates from more than 120 countries at the UNESCO Youth Forum General Assembly held in October, 2007 in Paris.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Vaisakhi Special TV Programme by GERAKSIKH and Astro

GERAKSIKH AND ASTRO WILL BRING TO YOU 'VAISAKHI SPECIAL TV PROGRAMME' ON ASTRO VAANAVIL CHANNEL 201 AS FOLLOWS:

DATE: 14/4/2008 (MONDAY)
TIME: 2000 HRS (8.00 PM)


PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SEE THIS PROGRAMME BROUGHT TO YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME TOGETHER BY GERAKSIKH AND ASTRO.

HAPPY VIEWING AND A VERY HAPPY VAISAKHI 2008

HAPPY VAISAKHI

GERAKSIKH wishes all Sikhs a very Happy Vaisakhi 2008

Monday, March 3, 2008

Power of Prayer


By T. Selva

Such obeisance leads to the path of self-discovery and makes life more meaningful.

SUNDAY is a day to unwind and relax. For some, it would be a day to seek divine grace by visiting places of worship of their respective faiths.

Prayers are vital to ease the stressful lifestyle many of us put up with daily and ancient Indian scriptures urge people to sought comfort through prayer at least once after sunrise or before the start of their daily routine.

It can be done at the place where an individual resides or at any place of worship.

However, it is sad to note that some people only pray when they run into problems. This is improper because spiritual practices should be part and parcel of our daily conscious living.

Such obeisance leads us to the path of self-discovery and makes our life more meaningful and, in the process, guides us to handle our challenges with strength and confidence.

From young, I have been taught that prayer is so powerful that when it is done with full faith and respect, it can remove obstacles, anger, fear, struggles, hatred and problems, and it provides protection and ensures peace of mind.

Besides performing our duties at home, visiting powerful places of worship also helps us to further enlighten ourselves.

It is said that you don’t have to believe in spirituality but by placing your foot at any such holy sites, one can experience transformation because of the peaceful force they vibrate.

I have been often asked what my favourite sacred place is among the many of different faiths I have visited worldwide and I am unable to pick one in particular.

But in my top five spiritual places would certainly be the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, which I visited last week for the second time in six months.

To me, the place should be considered as one of world’s wonders because its beauty is astonishing and the peacefulness it exudes is so therapeutic.

The Harmandir Sahib or the Abode of God, popularly known as the Golden Temple, is a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs.

It has been a source of inspiration to the community and a place of pilgrimage ever since its establishment in the 16th Century.

The devotion shown by the devotees visiting the temple is overwhelming and I marvelled at the architectural splendour of its gold domes and minarets and its ornate marble hallways.

The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation and 2,000 years after Buddha’s time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake.

This was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site. Over the centuries, it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs.

The temple’s architecture is richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones.

Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers and hymns composed by the Sikh gurus.

The amazing thing about this temple is that hymns are chanted to accompaniment of flutes, drums and stringed instruments round the clock.

The enchanting music echoes across the serene lake and it induces a powerful state of trance in the pilgrims walking around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple.

Throughout the day and night, pilgrims immerse themselves in the water – a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body – before entering the temple proper.

Next to the temple complex are enormous pilgrim dormitories and dining halls where all persons, irrespective of race, religion, or gender, are lodged and fed for free. Another thing that moves me is that the temple is operated through a voluntary service and although thousands of devotees and tourists visit the ground every hour, all movements are done in an orderly manner with discipline.

One thing I am sure about is that I’m very likely to visit the Golden Temple again because it has some powerful energy that draws devotees to visit it again and again.


T. Selva, The Star’s Sunday Metro Editor, feels that visiting spiritual sites connects people to deeper meaning, greater simplicity and the divine.
STAR, 17/2/2008

Sikhs in Kedah gives full backing to BN

THE Sungai Petani Sikh Association has pledged full support for the Barisan Nasional.

Its president Datuk Dr Joginder Singh said the association sup-ported Barisan for continuous unity, progress and security.

“The Sikh community is thank- ful for the help and support given by the government and the former Member of Parlia- ment. We will continue to give our support,” said Dr Joginder Singh.

He said that although the Sikh community was a minority group, it had played its part in nation building.

He said previously, the Sikhs were involved in petty trades and security but today through better education, many of them have become professionals.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the country had assimilated the various races since Merdeka.

“The Barisan Government has been providing good education, economic development, a good social society and a safe place to live in for all,” Mahdzir said at the Malam Muhibbah Masya- rakat Sikh Kedah dinner held at the Beng Siew Hall in Sungai Pe-tani.

STAR, 26/2/2008

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Sikhs rally behind Barisan hopefuls: Ong Ka Chuan & Veerasingam

BIDOR: The Sikh community here has pledged their support for Barisan Nasional candidates Datuk Ong Ka Chuan and Datuk S. Veerasingam.

About 100 people from the community turned up at the Bidor Sikh Temple to show support for Ong, who is contesting the Tanjung Malim parliamentary seat, and Sungkai state seat candidate Veerasingam.

Malaysia National Sikhs Movement president Tan Sri G. Darshan Singh said even though the Sikh population was small but there was no doubt that the community had been loyal to the Barisan Nasional.

"The track record of the Barisan government speaks louder than words and we need it to be a strong government for the next 50 years and more," he said.

Ong expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the community, who showed their support him regardless of their racial background.

"As elected representatives, our responsibility is to plan for the future and stability of the people," the Perak MCA chief said.

"We will also bring development in terms of infrastructure, amenities and education," he added.

He said the Barisan was representing people from various races and its duty was to look into the interest of the different communities.

Ong, who is also MCA secretary-general, also promised to work for the betterment of the community and fulfil its needs and requirements if he were to be elected.

"Your problems will be mine and I hope to get your support in the general election," he said.

Veerasingam urged the community to show unity in ensuring victory for the Barisan.

"The Barisan government will work for the benefits of the Sikh community and to ensure that your interest will be taken care of," he said.

Star 2/3/2008

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Sikh Teachers in Malaysian Government School

Forwarded : - ATTENTION: A Government agency has asked to identify about 60 sikh TEACHERS currently teaching in government schools. They should be preferably teaching in secondary schools, but those in primary schools are also eligible. The only other qualification is that they should have some knowledge of reading and writing gurmukhi [punjabi].

Note: As long as you can read and write SOME punjabi, you will be okay.

These teachers are required to participate in brainstorming workshops for about 2 to 3 one-week sessions. All expenses will be borne by the said Agency. Participants will be entitled to unrecorded leave from their place of work, and participation in these sessions would be counted in the annual assessment. Lecturers in government training colleges, politechnics and universities are also eligible to participate.

The names of those intrested should be sent to Mr. Autar Singh [PETM Vice President] either by email at autarsinghsj@yahoo.com OR by sms at 012-2055011 as soon as you see this message.

They can also contact GERAKSIKH Headquarters at 05-2418177 or its Secretary General, Mr. Amarjit Singh Gill at 0125008889 and we can also forward the names to Mr. Autar Singh.

The following details are required:
Full name [including a/l or a/p]:
NRIC number [new]:
School:
H/P number:


Please forward this message to eligible teachers that you know.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Launch of 1st Malaysian Produced Urban Bhangra Album 'LOADED'


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- A three-year labour of love by two brothers, Saturday saw the launch of a debut album containing local Bhangra songs, with a dash of Malaysian flavour.

Calling themselves 'Goldkartz', Manjit Singh Gill @ M-ji and Sukhjit Singh Gill @ Surj performed during the launch of the album at the city centre Saturday.

Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha launched the album.

Called "Loaded", the album is designed to be unique as compared to other Bhangra music as it contains Malaysian elements, including multi-lingual songs such as `Identitimu', which has Malay lyrics.

"We wanted to reflect the cosmopolitan society of Malaysia through our music.

"We also feel the time is right for a Malaysian urban bhangra album as currently there is a vacuum in the local music scene," said Manjit.

The album is a three-year labour of love by the brothers. It not only focuses on the traditional Punjabi folk song themes but also adds in the modern dimensions such as hip-hop, R&B, house and trance music styles.

Even Karyawan Association Malaysia president Freddie Fernandez was impressed by the quality of the album.

He said it had the potential to penetrate the international markets in England and India where there is a strong bhangra following.

"I am confident we can find a fan base in these countries. The album is of international quality and I can see that there is something innovative and original in the album," added Fernandez.

-- BERNAMA

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Bhangra to call our own


Diversity is the name of the local music scene so don't be surprised when you're hit with a dose of urban Bhangra music thanks to the hard work of two local boys Surj (real name Sukhjit Gill) and Manjit Singh (M-Ji). Together the duo are known as Goldkartz and tomorrow will see the official launch of their debut album, Loaded, in Kuala Lumpur.

Loaded dares take Bhangra music to new heights as it is a combination of eastern and western influences such as hip hop, R'n'B, House, Trance and Drum'n'Bass. On top of it, the album boasts lyrics in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and Punjabi, of course. It also features local guest artistes such as MC Syze, Dareyno, K-Town Clan and Natchatra. Most important of all though, Loaded is the first Malaysian produced Bhangra album as all recordings, songwriting, production, mixing and mastering was done in Malaysia. Well done boys!
Star, 18/1/2008

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Job Vacancy at iCIMB as Customer Service Officer

This is to inform that there is a vacancy available as follows:

Position : Customer Service Officer
Company : iCIMB (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Advertised on : 02 Jan 2008


For more details, go to this URL:
http://my.jobstreet.com/jobs/2007/12/i/10/546835.htm

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

GERAKSIKH'S NEW YEAR GREETING


Pergerakan Kebangsaan Sikh Malaysia / Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GERAKSIKH) take this opportunity to wish all Malaysians a Very Happy New Year 2008.

All Malaysians must continue to practice religious tolerance, understand and respect each other's culture to ensure continued peace and prosperity.

Malaysia has been blessed with peace and prosperity for the last 50 years and this is due to the solid support from the people who have been loyal to this country. It is also because of the practical and moderate approach adopted by the Government of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in running this country.

Malaysia has achieved tremendous progress and development during the past 50 years. Malaysia with its unique composition being a multiracial, multicultural and multillingualsociety makes it truly great.

With peace, prosperity and harmony among all races has made Malaysia what it is today. There is enough for everyone in this country.

We Malaysian Sikhs together with other communities have been well received in this country. Malaysian Sikhs will support the government in its efforts for country to reach greater heights.