Sikhs from across the country gathered in Earley for a special day of praying and socialising.
Sikh members of Britain’s armed forces – including the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force – met in the Ramgharia Gurdwara in London Road for the event on Saturday.
Military men and women were encouraged to invite their nearest and dearest to the afternoon event, partly organised by Narinder Marwaha.
Mrs Marwaha is married to a personnel officer in the military.
She said the event – one of two similar ones in the Sikh calendar – was a roaring success.
She said: “All the Sikhs in the armed forces try to get together once a year in Andover in Hampshire.
“After last year’s event it was decided to hold another one where people could bring their families so people can get to know one another and make new friends.
“People from 16 years old can join the armed forces so it was nice for different people from across the country to get to know each other.
“We had an afternoon of prayers followed by food and refreshments. It was really nice. Now we hope to make it an annual event.
“We want Sikhs in the armed forces to get their families involved. Being in the armed forces, when you are Sikh, means you can get quite isolated from the religious community.
“It is difficult to get to the Gurdwara and feel part of things. We want to change this.”
The event was attended by special guests Mandeep Kaur, who is Sikh chaplain of the Army, Stephen Robbins, chaplain general of the Army, and The Rev Scott J Brown, principal chaplain of the Royal Navy.
Surjit Singh Jutla, president of Earley’s Gurdwara, also attended.
