KUCHING: The Sikh community is celebrating Vaisakhi today.
Vaisakhi is celebrated by Sikhs all over the world and is the most important day in the Sikh religion. It marks the birth of the Khalsa Panth in 1699 and is also celebrated as the Sikh New Year.
In Kuching and in other parts of the country, it is normally celebrated with continuous religious prayers done at Sikh Gurdwaras (temples) over three days and with all members of the faith attending.
Cultural and social events are also organised during this auspicious period to mark the occasion.
As with celebrations of other faiths, for the first time, this year will be different. In keeping with the need to control the spread of Covid-19 and with the MCO in place, there will be no prayers held at the Gurdwara.
Members of the community will mark the occasion with prayers at home and god willing, be able to hold congregation prayers again at a later date when prayer gatherings are allowed by the government.
Said Sarawak Sikh Temple Association president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira: “At these challenging times affecting the whole world, the community calls upon all Sikhs to pray for the wellbeing of all mankind (Sarbat Da Bhala) as is espoused in the Sikh Ardas (supplication).
“We also should do our part by following the MCO regulations in place and staying safely at home. We must all acknowledge the service and sacrifices of all the frontliners doing their duty during these phases of the MCO.”
Dr Kalwinder said the community also wished to extend its wishes to people of the Christian faith who are celebrating Easter.
“We also extend our well-wishes to the Tamil community which is also celebrating its New Year during this period,” he said.
