Culture & Lifestyle /
UK Gurdwaras: Sikh & Non-Sikh Community’s Lifeline
Sikh temples in the UK have noticed an increase of non-sikhs and low income people at mealtime.
UK down-on-luck citizens don’t need to be Sikhs to eat here, they just need to believe in peace.
Sikhism dictates a strict vegetarian diet so the food often served in gurdwaras usually includes lentils, roti Indian bread, vegetables, yoghurt and Indian sweets. The rising number of non-Sikhs sitting down together alongside the religious observers to for a midday meal indicates that no one seems to mind. Religious leaders in the Sikh communities across the UK are reporting an increase of visitors during mealtimes. More and more non-believers are visiting gurdwara temples, knowing they won’t be turned away from a free hot meal.
The effects of the UK’s slumping economy and austerity measures are making it harder for debt-ridden overseas students to make ends meet, and more difficult for the homeless to get back on their feet. Others, especially women with children, whose low-paying jobs can barely afford rising rent costs, let alone lunchtime, are coming to the temples in droves for a free meal, and a respite from their troubles.
Harmander Singh, a spokesman for the Sikhs In England think-tank, said: “It’s noticeable: more people coming in and more people coming frequently.” While Sikhs will welcome anyone into the gurdwara as long as they are not drunk, they remove their shoes and cover their head, but he also cautions, “It’s not a free buffet, it’s a way of serving the community.”
The Sikh Federation UK estimates 5,000 meals a week are now served to non-Sikhs through Britain’s 250 gurdwaras; food that is made 24/7 by volunteers and funded by donations. While foodbanks fed an estimated 346,992 people across, Sikh temples can’t support so many people, but their assistance in easing the strain on public foodbanks is welcome.
Especially in in light of welfare reforms, good samaritans like Amrick Singh Ubhi of the Nishkam Centre in Birmingham, vice-chair of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, works with local community groups to do outreach towards people afraid to visit a place of worship for help.
He reminds more apprehensive Sikhs as well that, “we have to realise that while we see our respective places of worship as a sanctuary, not all people will. We see that people of other faiths and none do mix, but there is always that apprehension of “the other” and until we break down those barriers and start working together that will remain so.”
Among the 6,000 visitors a week eating lunch at the Karamsar Gurdwara was a group of overseas medical students. One student, and Indian Catholic, explained that, “for the last 10 days we have come here regularly. They have a welcoming attitude. People don’t discriminate. I was surprised to see a mini Punjab here.”
A Chinese student reported to finding the gurdwara a very welcoming and peaceful place. “They are taking care of me. I like the variety of the food. I haven’t seen this before I came to England. People seem to be very nice.”
World hunger isn’t about to be eradicated overnight, but the generosity of others, an open door, a hot meal and a welcoming environment are one way of helping the cause along. As one student put it, “the food is like home-cooked,” and home, as we well know, is where the heart is.
Featured Image: http://www.independent.co.uk
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