Interfaith Dinner Langar Seva by Phoenix Sikh Community
The Sikh community of Phoenix metro in Arizona has been very active in Arizona Inter-faith Movement. For several years, it has been performing Dinner Langar Seva for all the attendees during their annual event of "Experience Interfaith" that takes place in Heritage Square, Downtown Phoenix, Arizona in the months of October or November. Representing 25 different faiths, the Movement has become a great vehicle for Sikh awareness among members of different faiths thanks to very active Sikh board members. Through their selfless Seva of Langar or free community kitchen to all those who come, our Sikh community has established itself as one of the foremost faith in this movement despite their small numbers than other faiths. Usually about 300-500 people belonging to different faiths show up to attend this evening.
Once again this year, the annual event of Experience Interfaith was arranged on November 5th, 2015. Langar was donated by five Sikh owned restaurants i.e. Guru Palace, (Rana Sodhi,) India Oven, (Sarabjit Singh Pappu,) Indian Delhi Place Harjit Singh Sodhi,) India Palace (Manjinder Singh) and Suminder Singh Sodhi (Chettinad Express Grill.) Freshly prepared, the items included Saag Paneer, Raaj Maah, Biryani, Naan, Salad, Raita and a desert. A large contingent of Sikhs, 50-70 of them, almost one 6th of the entire gathering of 300-400, all wearing Saffron colored T- Shirts, donated by the writer, with a big write up "I AM A SIKH" on the front and "SIKHS serving HUMANITY" on the back, served Langar in a traditional way. With the help from the community, the writer was able to arrange for about 30-50 Turbans of different colors that were tied on the heads of non-Sikhs so that they could experience the glory of Turban at least for that event. People sat in a traditional Sikh way in rows (Pangats) on floor to enjoy the freshly prepared hot food while Sikh music was played in the back drop. Those who could not sit on floor, chairs were at hand.
Prior to serving the Langar, the general audience was informed about the unique tradition of Sikh Langar as well as its significance. Invocation was given by few faith group children. Chiraag Singh Sachdev, a young Sikh child offered the Ardaas or invocation besides other children. Once the Langar had been served, groups of 6-8 people were formed including one member from each faith to carry on previously chosen inter-faith dialogue. Peace within self, at individual level, community level and world level was the chosen topic this year. Every one truly enjoyed the Sikh Langar and learned about Sikh faith, Sikh identity and their unique tradition of Langar and Turban. At the end everybody thanked Sikhs for their selfless service and hoped to have the same event once again come next year.
Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, M.D.
Phoenix, Arizona
The writer Dr. Sachdev serves as a Board Member of Arizona Interfaith Movement.