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November 11, 2009 : Gurupurab Article -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 7, 2009 Manika Kaur's Bandhana Please visit
November 22, 2008 $20 Million Dubai Gurudwara First In The Gulf AT one time, the very thought of buliding a Gurudwara in the heart of an Islamic state was considered nothing short of an Arabian mirage. Today, once-the-unimaginable has happened. Guru Nanak Darbar is fast rising from the sands of Dubai, making it the first 'official' Sikh temple in the whole of Gulf. And if things go according to plan, the 50.000 strong Sikh community living in Dubai will be celebrating Baisakhi there in April 2010. "That's when I will think I have done something for the community," says Surender Singh Kandhari, the man who made it all happen. It was a journey to the unknown when Mr. Kandhari, a well-respected businessman in Dubai, approached Dubai authorities with his, what is calls, "a dream project." Convincing the officials of the Ministry of Islamic Affair that there is nothing anti-Islamic about setting up a Gurudwara, was the most difficult job. Mr. Kandhari, who is also the Captain of the prestigious Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, needed to bring all his convincing powers and knowledge about the region into full play - and finally he succeeded. "It was hard to explain the Ministry officials even the idea of sangat and langar. I had to translate excerpts from Guru Granth Saheb and read out to them. Sikhs don't worship idols like in Islam, and how the idea of equality was inherent in Sikhism. Once they were convinced that setting up a Gurudwara is not anti-Islamic, things quickly started falling in place. His HIghness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, was very gracious to grant permission for building of the gurudwara. "The permission is one thing, look at gesture- he gave us 25400 square feet of land free for the community!" "Now you know why Dubai is so special. And why Guru Nanak Darbar is special. My dream is to make it the best after Golden Temple in Amritsar," said Kandhari. The internationally reputed Dubai based architect firm Holford Associates has designed the Dubai gurudwara. Holdford Associates already has to its credit over 20 churches, four mosques and one temple. "We also had the suppport of Richard Adams from UK who was involved with the Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara on the Havelock Road in Southall, London." "Before awarding the contract, we asked the architects there to visit the Gurudwaras around the world, find each one's imperfection and make a perfect Gurudwara. A masterpiece which will serve the needs of the community," said Mr. Kandhari, chairman of Al Dobowi group, a global player in the tire management industry with operations in Middle East, South Asia and Europe. The Gurudwara with a 125,000 square feet built-up area has three basements, a ground floor and a terrace floor. The 'langer' hall will serve more than 600 people at a time. There is a 54-metre water body, inspired by "We are seeking funds from the entire Sikh Community all over the world to fulfill a Sikh dream," said Mr. Kandhari. "The Sikh community of UAE numbers approximately 50,000. Although, donations are pouring in from various parts of the world; Uk, USA and Canada in particular, we do need more support for the Gurudwara. In Sikhism, we are supposed to donate a part of our income to the community service. If you serve the society, you serve God." No individual or group is authorized to collect money on behalf of Guru Nanak Darbar. However, anyone wishing to know more details about Guru Nanak Darbar gurudwara of Dubai may contact Ms Satinder, their sole Canadian representative on 647 833 7604. November 21-27, 2008
AT one time, the very thought of buliding a Gurudwara in the heart of an Islamic state was considered nothing short of an Arabian mirage. Today, once-the-unimaginable has happened. Guru Nanak Darbar is fast rising from the sands of Dubai, making it the first 'official' Sikh temple in the whole of Gulf. It was a journey to the unknown when Mr. Kandhari, a well-respected businessman in Dubai, approached Dubai authorities with his, what is calls, "a dream project." Convincing the officials of the Ministry of Islamic Affair that there is nothing anti-Islamic about setting up a Gurudwara, was the most difficult job. Mr. Kandhari, who is also the Captain of the prestigious Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, needed to bring all his convincing powers and knowledge about the region into full play - and finally he succeeded. His HIghness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, was very gracious to grant permission for building of the gurudwara. "The permission is one thing, look at gesture- he gave us 25400 square feet of land free for the community!" The internationally reputed Dubai based architect firm Holford Associates has designed the Dubai gurudwara. Holdford Associates already has to its credit over 20 churches, four mosques and one temple. "We also had the suppport of Richard Adams from UK who was involved with the Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara on the Havelock Road in Southall, London." The Gurudwara with a 125,000 square feet built-up area has three basements, a ground floor and a terrace floor. The 'langer' hall will serve more than 600 people at a time. There is a 54-metre water body, inspired by "We are seeking funds from the entire Sikh Community all over the world to fulfill a Sikh dream," said Mr. Kandhari. "The Sikh community of UAE is numbering approximately 50,000. There are only 100 families who are in the white collar or business sector. The rest are in construction, auto, mechanical and labor industry." Although, donations are pouring in from various parts of the world; Uk, USA and Canada in particular, we do need more support for the Gurudwara.In Sikhism, we are supposed to donate a part of our income to the community service.If you serve the society, you serve God.Those who wish to donate money may do so by directly depositing into the Gurudwara account. No individual group is authorized to collect money on behalf of Guru Nanak Darbar. HOwever, anyone wishing to know more about Guru Nanak Darbar gurudwara of Dubai may contact Ms Satinder (Adm. Manager) on 647 833 7604 or email at satinder.gurudarbardubai@yahoo.ca. She is the sole representative in Canada. "Guru Nanank Darbar is not only my dream, it's our dream." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith Bridges the Gulf The Sikhs of Gulf will soon have their first gurdwara in Dubai, thanks to the effort of Dubai tycoon Surender Singh Kandhari. In City.. Guru Nanak Darbar gurdwara of Dubai is special. Not only because of its sheer size and its blend of post-modern and traditional architecture but also because it is coming up in the heart of an Arab-Islamic nation, in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). IT is the first gurdwara in the Gulf. "It was hard to explain to the officials of the Islamic Affairs Ministry even the idea of sangat and langar! I had to translate excerpts from Gugu Granth Sahib and read out to them," says Surender Singh Kandhari, the man behind the ambitious project. "I told them Sikhs didn't worship idols , like in Islam, and how the idea of the equality of man was inherent n Sikhism. Actually, they are afraid of going anti-Islam. But allowing the setting up of a gurdwara was not anti-Islamic, I told them." The officials understood. Even UAE's Prime Minister and Vice-President and Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum understood. IN fact, he gave a 25,400 square feet plot at Jebel Ali to the gurdwara for free! "UAE is practical, unlike the other Arab Nations. The ruler reserves the credit," he quips. So now, Guru Nanak Darbar is under construction, at an estimated cost of $15 million, the money coming from Sikhs across the world, and will be ready by the end of 2009. Kandhari, 59 is the chairman of the Al Dobowi Gruop. a global player in the tyre management industry, with operations in Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Europe. "In Sikhism, we are supposed to donate a part of our income to community service. It is believed that if you serve the society, you serve God. Only if this realisation dawns upon all of us..." Yet, People are very benevolent he says. "When it comes to religion, people always help. I never asked anyone for money for the project. It's just pouring. There are bigt donors in the UK, US and Canada." Dubai is home to over 50,000 sikhs and thousands of Sindhis who also visit gurdwaras, says Kandhari. "And among them, the labour class- Construction workers, drivers - after the day's hard work has no activity to do in the evening. At least they can spend time, meet at the gurdwara now. A gurdwara is not only a religious shrine but also a meeting place, a sangat, for everyone." London-based architectural Firm Holdord Asociates has designed Guru Nanak Darbar. "I asked the architects there to visit different gurdwaras around the world, find each one's imperfections and make a perfect gurdwara, a foolproof masterpiece," smiles Kandhari. The shrine with a 1 lakh square-feet build up area has two basements, a ground floor and a terrace floor. The Langar Hall here can serve 600 people simultaneously. There is a 54-meter water body inspired by the Sarover in the Golden Temple and a cascade. The main prayer hall on the top floor with the Palki Sahib has a 7.2 metre high ceiling and 18-metre diameter dome roof. The function hall can accomodate 900 people at a time. Guru Nanak Darbar is in New Dubai, along the freeway that connects the city to Abu Dhabi. "This is my life's biggest achievement. It's my dream project. And if we don't give back to society, who will?" In December, Kandhari donted two expensive floor-scrubbing machines to the Golden Temple. And he has pledged two more for Nanded Sahib and Anandpur Sahib. Kandhari himself has never lived in Punjab. His father shifted from Jhelum (now in Pakistan) to Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh before Partition. "I was born and brought up there. And in 1976, I shifted to Dubai and founded the company." And his company, Al Dobowi, in Arabic, means 'The man from Dubai'.
15 Feb 2008 New Gurdwara to come up in downtown Dubai
The Dubai government has allotted prime land in the city for constructing a gurdwara for the Sikh community to practise their faith, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said while salking to The Indian Express. There is already a gurdwara on the outskirts of Dubai city, which is also used by Sindhis, where a kirtan programme is held every Friday. The new gurdwara will be within the city and run like Indian gurdwaras. Construction work on the gurdwara is expected to begin soon. Akal Takhh Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti will lay the foundation stone of the shrine. A 2,600 sq.ft. plot has been allotted for the purpose. Dubai- based industrialist Surender Singh Kandhari had been pursuing the cause of having a gurdwara in the country with the Dubai government for long. Makkar said Kandhari's initiative was laudable. "The Dubai government also needs to be appreciated for its liberal approach. This way the Sikh community will be able to follow their faith with greater ease," he said. Gurdwara in Dubai had been a demand of the representatives of the Sikhs settled there, SGPC secretary Harbeant Singh said. "The SGPC will extend all possible help. So far there's no demand for finances for building the gurdwara. Kandhari only sought our blessings," Harbeant Singh said. He added, "The gurdwara will function as per the code of conduct laid down by the SGPC. Our jathas will keep going there for spreading the values of the Sikh religion."
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