To say that something happened for the first time is a big thing. In Frankfurt am Main in Germany several big things happened recently. For the first time, a female Sikh youngster did the final Ardaas and another did Sukh Asan of Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the largest Gurdwara in Germany. All this took place during the "Sikhi Camp 2009". It was the first camp for German born Sikhs organised by Sikh youngsters who themselves grew up in Europe. According to the feed-back of more than 40 campers and their parents, the event was “a turning point for the community”.
Although the camp only lasted two days, the camp was an eye opener for the kids, who left the camp inspired, and with a fresh perspective. The sessions included icebreakers, team building games, sports, Gurbani Kirtan (harmonium and tabla), the importance of role models (the ten Gurus), an art workshop, self-defence, dastar tying, soccer, question & answer sessons, and the animation film Sundari. The theme Shabad of the Camp "Saajanraa Mera Saajaanraa (“My beloved friend creator” ... by the fifth Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 924)" could be heard over and over throughout the Gurdwara. Even the youngest ones learned the main verses by heart and joined the Kirtan.
“Sikhi is really cool”
"For the first time, I learned that I do not have to be afraid of the Creator and Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I now feel very comfortable when I sit behind Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I have realised that the Creator is my friend and that no one gets punished by Waheguru”, said 10 year old Ajitpal Singh with a big smile after the camp. Others realised that Sikhi can be fun, modern and directly linked with their lives growing up in Germany. "So far, Sikhi was all about rules, don’ts, stories and prayers and I could not understand and relate to. I never understood what the Parcharaks used to talk about. Gurdwara meant boredom to me. During the camp I realised that Guru Granth Sahib Ji is really inspiring. That it helps to live a good life and connects people in a friendly way. It was an amazing experience to realise how well we were able to connect to the conductors. I wasn’t even aware that there are religious Sikh youngsters out there who are well educated, caring and open-minded at the same time. It was the first time that we felt we have role modes in our community", a female teenager concluded.
The organiser of the camp Khushwant Singh was “more than satisfied with the outcome of the adventure”. Khushwant Singh has been teaching Sikhi in German and Panjabi to youngsters since the beginning of 2008. He also represents Sikhs in the newly constituted Council of Religions in Frankfurt. Many youngsters urged him over and over to organise a camp. When his friends Ravinderpal Singh and Jaspal Singh from UK, Sarbjeet Singh, Kirpal Singh, Dilneet Kaur and Manpreet Kaur from Germany agreed to conduct the camp, the road was paved. Phone calls and mails were exchanged, and the camp was finalised.
The highlight of the camp was the Sunday divaan. More than 400 people listened very carefully to the programme of the youngsters. The teenagers shared what they had learned in the camp and also displayed their art work. The sangat was encouraged by Ravinderpal Singh to join the youngsters and recite the theme shabad. Another premiere: the shabad along with a German translation was visualised with a projector. In the final session the conductors shared very frankly their own experiences as teenagers in Europe and expressed their understanding for the challenges Sikh youngsters face in daily life. A presentation about how an Eagle’s struggle to adapt to new living conditions served as an inspiration not only for the teenagers and kids but for the parents too.
Several sevadaars of the Gurdwara - including Manjit Singh, Narinder Singh and Gurcharan Singh – expressed their admiration after the divaan. "We have been waiting for a long time for well educated, successful and dedicated Sikh youngsters to come forward and lead the next generation. We really needed that. And what really surprised us was that the conductors did not behave like wise parchaaraks. They simply conveyed the message of Gurbani in a modest, authentic and inspiring way. We are really looking forward for another experience like this in the near future. We hope that the Camp can be organised for than two days the next time!”
The camp would not have been a success if the local sevadaar and the granthi veer Ranvir Singh had not been so cooperative. Langar seva was supervised by several mothers of campers. Besides the usual daal sabzi, french fries and pasta was prepared!
Kirtan in downtown – The Council of Religions
Just two days after the camp another important event took place. For the first time, Sikhs participated in a public inter-religious celebration of the Council for Religions. Representatives of nine religions prayed according to their unique tradition. Sarabjit Singh played tabla, Rajbir Kaur and Manpreet Kaur joined the unique voice of Ravinderpal Singh from UK. The guests of the event were amazed by the beauty of Gurbani Kirtan. For many of them it was the very first opportunity to listen to recitations of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. "I felt so peaceful. It was very meditative. And the content of the verses was simply wonderful", Muslim and Christian representative said afterwards. The shabad “phand jamiye phand nimiye …(by the first Guru, Guru Granth Sahib page 473)” that was translated into German and included in the event brochure was admired in particular by male and female guests alike.
By Sikhi Camp 2009 Team