We Believe

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Sikh Temple plays host to multi-faith pilgrims

Worshippers from a wide range of religions and from all parts of London descended on the Central Gurdwara on the outskirts of Shepherd’s Bush on Saturday, as part of an annual interfaith pilgrimage.

Christians, Hindus, and Muslims were just some of the religious traditions represented at the full-day event, which took in five places of worship, before making a final stop at the Gurdwara – the oldest established Sikh place of worship in Europe.

“We’ve been doing this for 23 years,” said the Director of Westminster Interfaith, Alfred Agius, who organised the event. “We want to raise awareness of the different faith communities in London,” he explained.

Those visiting the Central Gurdwara – also known as the Shepherd’s Bush Gurdwara - were invited to attend prayers in the main part of the temple. “We cover our heads out of respect for the holy word and everyone sits together on the floor so that we are all equal,” said Bhupinder Singh. “The flags outside are a sign that there is a Gurdwara here and all are welcome.”

After prayers, visitors were led downstairs for a meal of spicy vegetables and rice.

88-year-old Rosaleen Sutherland-Waite had come all the way from Epsom to attend the event and has been taking part in the interfaith pilgrimage for years. She is originally a Presbytarian (Protestant) from Northern Ireland: “We were taught Catholics were anti-Christian,” she said. “They were taught the same about us. I’m now Anglican. I think we should be open to everything,” she said.

Kishin Navani, who is Hindu, said he was a regular worshipper at the Central Gurdwara. “Guru Nanak (the founder of Sikhism) brought the Hindus and the Sikhs together,” he said, adding that he particularly wanted to show solidarity with Muslims: “Nowadays, with terrorism, our name is being spoilt. Hindus and Muslims look the same and people say to me: ‘You people did 7/7’.”

Organiser Alfred Agius said the interfaith pilgrimage took place in a different part of the capital each year: last year in the Golders Green area, this year in West London.

Before arriving at the Shepherd's Bush Gurdwara, pilgrims had stopped at a Catholic and a Greek Orthodox church in Bayswater, a Second Church of Christ Scientist and a Methodist church in Notting Hill as well as the Muslim Cultural and Heritage Centre in Westbourne Park.

“It’s been great hearing people talk about different faiths,” said Roman Catholic Jon DalDin. He said the group had stopped for a moment of silence in several of the places they visited: “People were free to pray in their own way,” he said.

The Central Gurdwara, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, was originally based in Putney before moving to Sinclair Road, behind the W12 shopping centre, in 1911.

The current Queensdale Road site, next to the Edward Woods Estate, is where a Salvation Army citadel once stood. After it burnt down, the Sikh community bought the site and started building the Gurdwara, which opened its doors for the first time in 1970. 

Yasmine Estaphanos

8 June 2008