Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara

  • Vaisakhi Celebrations in Gravesham

    Vaisakhi Celebrations in Gravesham

    Vaisakhi Celebrations in Gravesham

    Thousands gathered in Gravesend to celebrate Vaisakhi, one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar, in a colourful and joyful celebration that brought together communities from across Gravesham and beyond.

    Organised by the Management Committee of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, the event featured a vibrant procession through the town, traditional music, and food served to all in the spirit of sewa (selfless service), one of the core principles of Sikhism.

    The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara has become a focal point for interfaith and intercultural engagement, and the Vaisakhi celebrations continue to highlight the rich diversity of North Kent and the important contributions of the Sikh community to the social and cultural life of the region.

    Among those in attendance was Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, who attended in his official capacity as Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain. He is the first of Sikh faith to hold the title in Kent.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL commented after the event “Vaisakhi is not just a celebration for the Sikh community—it’s a moment that brings people of all backgrounds together in a spirit of unity, service, and gratitude. The values we see at the heart of this event—equality, compassion, and community—are ones that resonate far beyond religious or cultural lines and also are the core values of KECC and drives our work locally.”

    Vaisakhi Celebrations on Gravesend

  • Inter Faith Celebrations Remember Community Champion

    Inter Faith Celebrations Remember Community Champion

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council organised an Inter Faith community event on Thursday 17th November 2022 which saw local partners, faith leaders and community members attend. The event took place at the Kent Adult Education Centre in Gravesham and marked National Inter Faith Week.

    The event was also an opportunity to commemorate the life of Mr Mohammed Aslam, one of the founders of the Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association, a local community champion and avid interfaith supporter who passed away in June this year.

    Mr Aslam was a key figure in fostering long standing and fruitful partnerships with Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara and multiple local Churches, working to promote interfaith connections. As such, KECC, supported by Mr Aslam’s family felt that Interfaith Week served as the ideal time to reflect and commemorate the life of an individual of saw faith as a means of connecting people rather than separating them.

    Dignitaries and faith leaders alike spoke at the event around themes of unity and solidarity, celebrating Mr Aslam and Inter Faith Work in Gravesham. These included Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Dr Bagawara Vasudaven, Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Peter Scollard, Adam Holloway MP, Bishop Greg Kitsell Chair of the North Kent Interfaith Network, Reverend Michael Payne from St Aidan’s Church, Bilal Farooq Chair of the Gravesham and Dartford Muslim Association, Bal Cheema and Jagdev Virdee MBE from the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara.

    Community partners who also spoke at the event included former Headteacher Rosemary Dymond DL, Michelle Bramble Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network, Farook Girach long-time friend of Mr Aslam as well as Carol Gosal of Rethink Mental Health. They were joined by former Kent Police District Commander for Gravesend and Dartford Phillip Painter and Akeel Kedoo former treasurer of the Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association.

    At the end of the proceedings, Mr Aslam’s son Cllr Ejaz Aslam spoke to everyone gathered and expressed his deep thanks for commemorating his father in such a way, a way that reflects the diverse communities of the area and the message of interfaith that his father always promoted.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who hosted the event commented, “I believe that National Interfaith Week was the perfect setting to not only remember a local pillar of the community but also talk about religious tolerance and everything that brings us together through faith. Mr Aslam for one, was an individual who stood for everyone, he championed their right practice their faith freely and see the tenants in each religion that brought us together. He supported the local Gurdwara and Churches and fundraised for various relief campaigns and causes regardless of faith. He was truly selfless and generous and I am proud that we were able to honour him in such a manner.”

  • Prominent figure in the Sikh community loses battle with cancer

    Prominent figure in the Sikh community loses battle with cancer

    Prominent figure in the Sikh community loses battle with cancer

    Tributes have poured in from around the world for Makhan Singh Johal, one of the most well-respected and prominent figures in the Sikh community in Gravesend. He sadly passed away at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer.

    Makhan arrived in Gravesend in 1975 and along with running a number of local successful businesses, he was best known for his contribution to the local arts and sports scene gaining worldwide recognition. During the course of his prolific singing career, spanning over 35 years, he performed with Jugnu Bhangra Group, Rooh Punjab Dee and Four by Four Bhangra at events around the world, entertaining thousands with his powerful voice and onstage personality.

    Makhan was also well known for the positive contribution he made to the Guru Nanak Kabbadi Club where he played the Punjabi sport for many years both in the UK and abroad. In latter years he was an active member of management for the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend where he served the community selflessly for many years. Makhan also focused his energy on supporting the underprivileged in Punjab, North India where he was born. This included regular free eye camps and drop in sessions around cancer awareness as well as creating a free gym and boxing club which supported females across all ages.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, “I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Makhan Singh Johal, someone who I had the honour of knowing for many years and who was an avid supporter of our work. He was a much loved figure who was very well known within the Sikh community not just in the UK but around the world. This is underlined by the fact that since his passing tributes have poured in globally from artists within the Punjabi music industry to members of the local community whose hearts he touched. He will be dearly missed by the community but we will find solace in the fact that his legacy lives on in his family and within the cultural and sports scene in Gravesham to which he contributed so greatly to.”

  • Vaisakhi 2015 Attended by Thousands

    Vaisakhi 2015 Attended by Thousands

    Vaisakhi Celebrations Attended by Thousands

    Thousands attended the annual Sikh religious celebration of Vaisakhi over the weekend Historically Vaisakhi marked the spring harvest in Punjab in Northern India where most Sikh’s in Gravesham come from, in 1699 on Vaisakhi Day the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth (the community of committed Sikhs) and created the faith as it is practiced today.

    The centre piece of the celebrations was the Nagar Kirtan procession (nagar means town and kirtan means the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book) on Saturday. Led by religious floats and also involving community floats including Lethal Soundz, Guru Nanak Punjabi School, Kent Kirtan Society, Four by Four Bhangra, Jugnu Bhangra and Guru Nanak Football Club. 

    The parade started on the grounds of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara before going through the Town Centre where it was well received by members of the public who stopped to see the colorful spectacle and enjoyed free donations (seva) of food and drink as the procession passed. Following a short stop for prayers at the Guru Ravidass Gurdwara the procession headed back to the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara where the congregation was joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron on Wellington Street before the Nagar Kirtan entered the Gurdwara complex. Once the prayers had been completed outside the Prime Minister addressed members of the congregation inside while outside there was an open air community celebration on the Guru Nanak Sports Field which included a fun fair, Sikh martial arts and information stands.

    The religious stage programme was headlined by Sukshinder Shinda an internationally renowned artist who performed from his recently released religious album “Langar” During the course of the event thousands also enjoyed free food and refreshments which was served by local caterers.

    The celebrations concluded on the Sunday at the Gurdwara where prayers were read and donations made for the up keep of the running of the Gurdwara. Throughout the services thousands again attended rounding off a memorable weekend.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am so pleased that the months of planning for the Nagar Kirtan and the open air community celebration paid off. None of this would have been possible without the help of a team of community volunteers and the support of Gravesham Borough Council, Kent Police and Kent Highways for which I am grateful. The Vaisakhi celebrations have evolved from being just for the Sikh community to one where Gravesham comes together as one, something which everyone should be very proud off.”