By: Nejdana Houshyar, Staff Writer
Established in 1999, the SFU Sikh Students’ Association (SSA) describes themselves as a club that promotes “Sikh values such as equality, peace, and truthful living.” Founded in the Punjab region, Sikhi is a “religious tradition that maintains its own distinctive features, including founders, scripture, worship, ceremonies, and traditions,” according to The Sikh Coalition. The SSA is one of SFU’s diverse array of spiritual clubs.
The Peak interviewed SSA’s vice-president external, Bikramjeet Singh Dhugga, to learn more. Club executives hold bi-weekly meetings to plan club events in which they often “collaborate with other campus groups, SSAs at other universities, and Sikh community organizations outside the university,” he said. Recent events have included talks with Sikh thought leaders, a retreat to Mission, and their latest icebreaker, where Dhugga explained they “met many new and returning SSA members, and built meaningful connections.”
For Dhugga, participating in events such as Langar (ਲੰਗਰ) Day (free food service) and kirtan (ਕੀਰਤਨ) programs (musical prayer) have deepened his appreciation of Sikh heritage and culture. “Being part of the SSA has connected me to the core teachings of the Sikh tradition,” he expressed, citing “the core Sikhi principles of seva (ਸੇਵਾ) (selfless service) and simran (ਸਿਮਰਨ) (meditative remembrance).”
Sikh students at SFU are a diverse group that “differ in religious expression and in their experiences of caste and gender,” said Dhugga. Sikh teachings reject the caste system and support gender equality. Caste is a system of hereditary hierarchy that has existed in India for thousands of years, oppressing those with lower socio-economic status. According to the educational website Sikh Verse, Sikhi “came as a revolutionary voice against this injustice.” Dhugga emphasized that the SSA is inclusive and welcoming to all students, Sikh or not: “You just need to be open to showing up.”
Outside of India, Canada has the largest Sikh population in the world, and BC is home to over 290,000 people who identify as Sikh. While the majority of members are Punjabis and international students from Punjab, Dhugga explained there are members “from regions of India outside Punjab,” and other cultural groups, including “students of Pakistani, Vietnamese, and Italian backgrounds, to name a few.” He added, “Students of many faiths also come out to our events including Hindu, Muslim, [and] atheist and agnostic students.”
There is a whole spectrum of diversity at SFU, and “religious expression is another form,” said Dhugga. He explained the spectrum within Sikhi: Amritdhari Sikhs have taken Amrit, which is an initiation ceremony involving being read prayers while drinking sugar water, to accept a code of conduct. Amritdhari Sikhs adhere to the five articles of faith, and recite daily prayers. The articles of faith include keeping hair uncut, using a wooden comb called kangha to maintain cleanliness, and wearing a kara (iron bracelet) as a symbol of the teachings of Gurus.
Those with uncut hair are called Keshdhari and “wear a turban or a head covering such as a patka” but not all have gone through Amrit. Keshdhari is a significant component of the Sikh faith. According to The Sikh Coalition, for many it symbolizes “commitment and acceptance of God’s Will” and kesh (hair) is considered holy. Students who choose not not to cut their hair or be formally baptized still practice the religion and often other articles of faith.
“Sikh scripture includes writings from the Sikh Gurus as well as Muslim Sufi Saints such as Bhagat Farid Ji and Hindu Bhakti Saints such as Bhagat Namdev Ji. The Gurus included these writings because Sikh philosophy does not hold that any single religion possesses absolute spiritual truth.”
— Bikramjeet Singh Dhugga, vice-president external, SSA
As a religion, Sikhi believes that truth is omnipresent. “Unlike most religious texts, which contain only the writings of their faith’s founders, the Sikh scripture includes writings from the Sikh Gurus as well as Muslim Sufi Saints such as Bhagat Farid Ji and Hindu Bhakti Saints such as Bhagat Namdev Ji. The Gurus included these writings because Sikh philosophy does not hold that any single religion possesses absolute spiritual truth,” Dhugga said.
The SSA offers a plethora of opportunities for students hoping to join the club. Most importantly, Dhugga emphasized the importance of diversity in the SSA. Club executives make it their mission to create an inclusive community and safe space for students looking to “build a strong relationship with Sikhi and make new friends,” said Dhugga. If students are looking to get involved and become an executive member, they can expect to “build key skills in event planning, communication, [and] community outreach.”
Dhugga added that SFU and the SFSS can support the SSA by “providing adequate funding and accommodations for our on-campus events and streamlining the process for booking rooms and spaces.” According to him, “waiting on room confirmations makes it hard to promote events and arrange catering in advance.” He also expressed a need for access to larger room spaces for events like kirtans.
SFU students can look forward to upcoming events, such as kirtan nights at SFU’s Surrey campus, which feature “devotional singing and langar seva (serving free food),” said Dhugga. In addition, the SSA is “working to set up community langar events with Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen,” which is a kitchen that provides free meals” and essentials for those in need.
To keep up with the SSA and their future events, follow them on Instagram @sfussa.
