Gurudwara Dubai Celebrates 550 Years Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Founder of Sikhism and First of the Ten Sikh Gurus … reports Asian Lite News
This yearlong celebration of Guru Nanak Devji’s 550th birth anniversary started last year that saw 60,000 Sikh devotees attended the opening program of activities at the Gurudwara temple led by Mr. Surender Singh Kandhari, Chairman of Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai.
Gurudwara Guru Nanak Dubai has also organized several community service activities in line to this event that started in December 2018 and throughout the year 2019. Among the activities were Blood Donation Camp, Baisakhi, Distribution of Food Packs to Labor Camps, Interfaith Iftar, Medical Camp for Blue Collar Workers, Tolerance Book Presentation and Punjabi Culture and Heritage Festival.
In culmination of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550 years birth anniversary and in celebration of the Year of Tolerance, Gurudwara Dubai has lined up various activities for its devotees and visitors from 10th to 15th November at the Gurudwara temple in Dubai. A special tent was built next to the Gurudwara to accommodate the huge crowd expected to participate.
On Sunday, 10th November, there will be Akhand Path Sahib Aarambhata at 09:00 AM and on Monday, 11th November, there will be Akhand Path Sahib Madh di Ardas at 09:00 AM.
On Tuesday, 12th November, there will be Akhand Path Sahib Bhog at 08:00 AM, with completion Ardas of Japji Sahib Path. After the Bhog, the Prakash Purab Day Guru Nanak Dev Ji programme will be held in the Tent adjoining the Gurudwara building. Special guests are expected to visit the Sikh temple on this day. These are H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Former Minister in the Government of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Mr. Vipul, Consul General, Indian Consulate, Dubai, UAE, and other Dignitaries. There will also be a whole day Kirtan programme in the Tent until 12:30 am. Kirtani Jatha are Bhai Mukhtar Singh Ji, Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Veer Manpreet Singh Ji, UK, Bhai Hartirath Singh Ji Sodhi, Delhi, and many other Ragi Jathas.
On Wednesday, 13th November, there will be a gathering event of the Sikh congregation along with different faith groups. The whole day program includes talks, movie screenings, and interfaith performances.
Avneet Kaur will talk about the need of tolerant world and how the vision and practices of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 550 years ago, were aligned towards creating a pluralistic, tolerant society. Other speaker is Veer Manpreet Singh.
Movies to be shown are “The Life & Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji” and “The Travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji” Interfaith performances will showcase famous Emirati singer, Yasser Habib, and children from various schools performing religious songs of different faiths
Guests of Honors to grace this occasion are H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, UAE, H.E. Mr. Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to UAE, Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi UAE, and H.E. Dr. Hamad Shaibani, Director General, Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
On Friday, 15th November, there will be a whole day Kirtan Programme from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Kirtan Jatha are Bhai Mukhtar Singh Ji – Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, Veer Manpreet Singh Ji, UK, Bhai Chamanjit Singh Ji Lal, Delhi, Bhai Satinderbir Singh Ji, Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Bhai Sandeep Singh Ji, Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Bhai Manjinder Singh Ji, Darbar Sahib Amritsar, and other Ragi Jathas.
There will also be a Painting Exhibition on the ‘Life and Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’ to commemorate his 550th Birth Anniversary as Global Brotherhood from November 12 to 15 at the Gurudwara temple. This exhibition will be inaugurated on 12th November by H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Former Minister in the Government of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Mr. Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Executive Director Department of Community Development, UAE, and H.E. Mr. Vipul, Consul General, Consulate General of India, UAE. This event was organized in cooperation with World Punjabi Organization and National Institute of Punjab Studies.
