Thought for the Day - 24 June 2008

Indarjit Singh

For centuries, Christianity has played a central role in the history and culture of Britain, and this should be recognised in any discussion on the shape and direction of British society. It's true, that at times, there have been, and continue to be, conflicts between the different strands of Christianity, but these are in the nature of family feuds, with shared history and culture providing necessary social cohesion.

Sixty years ago this month, all this changed, when the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury with some 500 Jamaicans, mostly ex servicemen seeking a new life in Britain. This was quickly followed by others with quite different religions and cultures, seeking new work opportunities. The challenge, then and now, was how to find a new equilibrium of trust and respect to prevent ignorance, suspicion and prejudice harming community cohesion.

A similar challenge existed on the subcontinent of India at the time of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, whose martyrdom, some four centuries ago, Sikhs have been commemorating this past week. Perhaps we can usefully look at, and possibly learn something from the history of those times to add perspective to meeting present day challenges.

Before Muslim incursions and settlement, most people in India also shared a generally common history with a bit of a superior attitude to the rest of the world. The conquering Muslims were considered barbarians and the Muslim invaders were equally dismissive of the majority Hindu population.

It was against this background that the Sikh Gurus taught the importance of respect between different religions and cultures. Guru Arjan asked a Muslim saint Mia Mir to lay the foundation stone of the Golden Temple to show his respect for the followers of Islam. He also added verses of Hindu and Muslim saints in the Sikh Holy scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib, where these were in line with Sikh teachings, to show no one faith has a monopoly of truth.

In his own compositions he wrote of the importance of recognising the same one God of us all, who is both, Allah and Ram, and God and Jehovah; the Creator of all that exists. He also emphasised the Sikh teaching of the equality of all human beings.

Today, respect for beliefs of others, and recognition that we are all members of one human family, remain twin pillars for harmony in our increasingly diverse society.

Copyright 2008 BBC