Canadian Sikhs mark tragic Air India anniversary

Ottawa - Beginning June 21, one of the largest Sikh congregations in Canada, the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, BC will be holding a special memorial to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragic Air India bombing.

The Akhand Paath -- a 48-hour non-stop reading of the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib – will be held in memory of the 331 innocent lives lost. Akhand Paaths are held to mark solemn occasions in the Sikh community and Sikhs take turns reading from Sri Guru Granth Sahib until the reading is completed.

The Akhand Paath will conclude on the day of the tragedy, June 23 at 5:30 p.m., and will be followed by a memorial service in which hymns will be sung and 331 candles will be lit, one for each victim of the bombings.

All members of the community are welcome to attend these services.

Media are also welcome to photograph and record the event.

Sikh gurdwaras across Canada will be holding similar memorial services and prayers and the Word Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) joins the Sikh community in marking this painful anniversary.

“The bombing of Air India flight 182 was an incomprehensible tragedy.  So many innocent lives were lost, including accomplished humanitarians, scientists, artists, and community activists.  It is important that we honour their memory.  Such a tragedy should never have happened and it must never be allowed to happen again,” said WSO President Prem Singh Vinning.

For further information about the memorial contact Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Surrey at 604-594-8117 or by email at[email protected] .

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit international organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.