Questions people often ask…

What role does the gurdwara play in Sikh community life?
The gurdwara is more than just a place of worship. Much like a church, it also feeds, houses and clothes those in need. All Sikhs are expected to contribute part of their earnings or time to the gurdwara as part of their duty to the community.

Why do all Sikhs sit on the floor when they visit the Gurdwara?
Because Sikhs believe that everyone is equal – regardless of age, sex, race and creed. During the time of the Gurus, even kings had to sit on the floor with their subjects.

How do Sikhs regard other religions?
Sikhs believe that all religions are like different boats on the river of life: they all get you across, but they may take different routes. In practice, this means that Sikhs are happy to worship God alongside the followers of other faiths whenever their boats are moving in the same direction.

Why are Sikhs forbidden from cutting their hair?
It’s not strictly a case of hair cutting being forbidden. The fact is that many Sikhs choose not to cut their hair. This is because they believe that God made no mistakes when he created the human form. Therefore, we should not alter it by doing things like cutting our hair.

Does the Sikh faith have any special symbols?
The Sikhs symbol is the khanda, which comprises double-edged sword of life surrounded by the circle of eternity and two crossed swords (Miri and Piri).