Recently in New Zealand, a Sikh charity, the “Supreme Sikh Society” has been judged as the most effective charity in reaching out to those suffering due to Covid-19, and it received the prestigious award, for the charity most effective in helping the weak and vulnerable.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, a tiny Sikh community has emerged as the one serving humanity at large in these difficult times. Sikh volunteers have gone out of their way to help those affected by this dreadful pandemic regardless of their religion, race or gender. It is so heartening to see that authorities throughout the world have recognised the efforts and work done by the Sikh community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Megan Woods introduced a resolution in the New Zealand Parliament thanking Sikhs because of their incomparable role in the fight against Covid-19. She specially thanked the ‘Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand’ in their efforts of feeding more than 100,000 people during this pandemic. The Mayor of Auckland also thanked the Supreme Sikh Society for their support not just in Auckland but across the country.
It is a matter of pride for every Sikh that the tradition of serving free food to anyone who comes through the doors of any Gurdwara continues since it was started over 500 years ago by the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is wonderful to see that the Sikhs have taken this tradition with them wherever they have now settled, thus making a massive difference and improvement to social cohesion and lives of the communities of their adopted countries.
It is worth remembering that the founder of the Sikh faith was against religious conversion as he believed that the Almighty is not interested in our religious labels, but that of our actions and deeds. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was against the cast system as he taught us that we are the children of one God and as a result, could not be higher or lower in the eyes of the Creator. He propagated gender equality and said, “Why do we consider someone inferior who bore prophets and kings”. He also respected every faith by incorporating teachings of Hindu and Muslim holy men in the Sikh holy book. He was against ritual and excessive praying and instead asked his followers to work hard for an honest living and also share their fortunes with the weak and vulnerable in society. The result of
His teachings, the Sikhs punch well above their weight for humanity.
