UK mayor lauds awareness session on Sikh turban
LONDON: Carl Meader, mayor of Kempston in Bedford near London, joined an informative session on the history and significance of the Sikh turban during three-day celebrations of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary, attended by local communities and leaders.
Meader, who opened the turban awareness session, said: “Until now I was not aware about the real importance of the Sikh turban. This session has helped many of us from non-sikh backgrounds to fully understand its history and significance. I am now looking forward to joining the turban-tying session and I am eager to see how I look in a turban.”
Organised by Seva Trust UK in coordination with Guru Nanak gurdwara in Bedford, nearly 100 km north of London, the event included multi-faith dialogue sessions and a photo exhibition on the life and teachings of the founder of Sikhism.
Speakers included India’s deputy high commissioner Charanjeet Singh, deputy lieutenant of Bedfordshire Garch Randhawa, Bedford MP Yasin Mohammed and borough councilors.
Seva Trust UK chairman Charan Kanwal Singh Sekhon said: “This historic event brought all communities together. It is unfortunate that we are still subject to hate crime and racist attacks and we believe education is the only way to highlight the reason why Sikhs wear turbans and to share Guru Nanak’s message of respecting all faiths,” he added.
Other speakers at the widely attended event included president Bedford Society, Raj Kathane; reverend Cassandra Howes, methodist minister, university chaplain and chair, Bedford council of faiths and Asif Nadeem of Queens Park mosque and multi faith group Bedford.