The Sikh community of Phoenix metro in Arizona is very active in Inter-faith events. In fact, a contingent of four Sikh community members happens to be on its board for long time. The Sikh community has been performing Dinner Langar Seva for the annual event of "Experience Interfaith" where people belonging to different faiths take part. It takes place in Heritage Square, Downtown Phoenix, Arizona in the later part of October. Representing 25 different faiths, the movement has become a great vehicle for Sikh awareness through a selfless seva of Sikh Langar for the members of the different faiths. Close to 300 to 400 people belonging to different faiths show up to attend this evening.
This year the event was celebrated on the evening of October 30, 2014. The Langar was donated by four Sikh owned restaurants i.e. Guru Palace (Rana Sodhi,) India Oven (Sarabjit Singh Pappu,) Indian Delhi Place (Harjit Singh Sodhi) and India Palace (Manjinder Singh). Freshly prepared items included Saag (the spinach), Raaj Maah, Vegetable Pilaaf, Salad, Raita and Kheer as well as Naans. A large contingent of Sikh members took part to perform the seva of serving the Langar. All who came to partake the freshly prepared hot Langar, were requested to sit on the floor in rows (Pangats) in the traditional Sikh way of serving Langar after they had taken their shoes off and a Sikh Ardaas has been performed. Those who could not sit on floor, chairs were at hand.
Prior to serving Langar, the general audience was informed by one of the members about the Sikh faith and their unique tradition of Langar as well as its significance. Invocation was given by small children belonging to Islamic, Sikh and Hindu as well as Catholic faith. Chiraag Singh a young sikh boy of 10 performed the Ardas seva. Once the Langar had been served, several groups of 6 people each were formed including one member from every faith to discuss about a previously chosen topic related to world conflict and how each faith can help Every one truly enjoyed the Langar and learned about the Sikh faith, Sikh identity and their unique tradition of Langar. At the end everybody thanked Sikhs for their selfless service and hoped to have the same event once again come next year.
 |
The Author *Author of 1. "Square Pegs, Round Holes" www.SquarePegsRoundHolesBook.com and |