WELBY PAYS OBEISANCE AT GOLDEN TEMPLE

Amritsar: archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Tuesday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and called on Giani Harpreet Singh, acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism located in the shrine complex.

Wearing a ‘patka’ (headgear), he was presented with flowers and ‘parshad’ of ‘patasas’ by Sikh priests in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Then he partook of ‘karah parshad’ and paid obeisance at the Takht.

He met Giani Harpreet Singh in the presence of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members.

The Global Sikh Council presented him a painting of the Golden Temple with Maharaja Ranjit Singh listening to the ‘bani’ by famous Hungarian artist, August Schoefft, and also replicas of coins of the Sikh Empire minted at the time of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.

He discussed with the jathedar as how to bring communities closer for peace, understanding, and goodwill.

“My appreciation for the hospitality and it is an example of generosity and openness to people of all faiths. It is a challenge for many of us to show such hospitality”, said Welby after he was felicitated by the Akal Takht.

He wrote in the visitor’s book, “For so many, this is a thin place. Let’s pray that all human beings find inner peace and become peacemakers through meeting with God (sic).”

Replying to a query on hate crimes against Sikhs in Christian-dominated western countries, he said such incidents should be curbed immediately.

Kunwar Sukhdev Singh Sandhawalia, a descendent of Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, handed over a letter to Welby seeking handing over the mortal remains (of Duleep) who was buried in the United Kingdom.