When food promotes interfaith harmony

Pilgrims share a single space for dine-in regardless of their cast and creed

LAHORE: Gurdwara Sahib Kartarpur offers a communal dining for believers of all religions, which is a perfect example of interfaith harmony, says Sikh pilgrim Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Sardar Gobind Singh.

Since the opening of Kartarpur Corridor, a large number of Sikh pilgrims come from India to Pakistan every day to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Apart from Sikh pilgrims, tourists from across the world also visit the place and visitors, belonging from all religions, share a single space for dine-in.

Singh says a large dine-in hall has been constructed to serve meal to people regardless of their cast and creed. “Preparation of the communal meal begins at 8am and continues till 7pm and the workers and Gurdwara serve the food.”

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib daily serves the meals prepared from vegetables, lentils, grains.

Pilgrims from India also carry various vegetables, including tomatoes, ginger, onions and grains, with them to participate in this communal activity.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

A Sikh pilgrim Sardar Surat Singh brought tomatoes and rice with him. “We bring vegetables because we believe that our fields would get blessed,” he said. “Besides, we have heard that tomatoes and vegetables are expensive in Pakistan,” he added.

Similarly, Sikh women from India consider it a privilege for themselves to make food for yatris visiting the Gurdwara and cleaning utensils.

“I cannot describe the peace I find in cleaning the utensils at Guru’s place,” says Sikh pilgrim, Randeep Kaur from Chandigarh.

Singh says tea is served all day long while a sweet dish is prepared on Thursdays. The preparation of the communal meal is the responsibility of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Committee and the dedicated property board. However, many Sikh women from India are also involved in this process.



Singh says their guru does not ask anyone about their religion at the communal meal. “There are just some instructions that everyone has to follow.

Non-Sikh pilgrims just need to cover their heads while eating, as it is prohibited in our religion” he added. Gurunanak Devji taught us to share the meal with everyone so we are following his teachings, Singh stated. “Sikhs from all over the world, including India, are familiar with the rules and regulations of eating in the dining hall.

Sikhs already wear turbans anyway, but people from other religions like Muslims, Hindus and, Christians are instructed to cover their heads while having the meal,” he says. He adds in the Sikh religion, no food should be left in the plate, so people take food according to their needs, which prevents food wastage.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2019.