It is a well-known fact that
Malaysia is home to a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic population composed of
Malays, Chinese, Indians and other indigenous peoples. Records indicate that
ethnic Indians make up 7% of Malaysia’s total population of 29 million (according
to 2012 estimates). The Sikh population in Malaysia today is believed to be
approximately 100,000 to 150,000 strong.
The Sikhs first arrived in
Malaysia in the 19th century. The first known Sikhs were political
prisoners who had been banished to Malaya for anti-British activities in India. Thereafter the process of migration of Sikhs
to Malaysia started in waves, but rather than as political prisoners, the Sikhs
arrived as recruits in the British colonial forces. The first gurudwara (Sikh
place of worship) was in fact set up by a Sikh policeman in Fort Cornwallis in
Penang State in 1881.
Sikhs tend to believe that
praying together as part of a congregation is as important as praying alone.
For this reason wherever a Sikh community is established, a gurudwara or ‘the
house of god’ is soon set up to meet the cultural, religious, educational needs
of the community.
A gurudwara has several features
that distinguish it from a regular Hindu Temple. For instance, a Sikh gurudwara
is always adorned with a flag pole known as ‘nishan sahib’. The pole is always fitted with the traditional
triangular yellow or deep orange Sikh flag. This flag is usually made of cotton
or silk and sports a Sikh symbol, the Sikh coat of arms known as ‘Khanda’. A
metallic version of this symbol is often mounted at the entrance of the gurudwara
or then affixed atop its dome (if the structure has a dome).
A gurudwara is usually made of several
different sections like the darbar or the main hall, the langgar hall where
communal meals are prepared and served and the sachkhand, usually located in
the innermost section of the edifice where the Sikh holy book of scriptures,
the Guru Granth Sahib is stored at night. During the day, this Guru Granth
Sahib is usually placed on an elevated platform which faces the entrance of the
gurduwara.
At the center of Sikhism, is the
concept that there is only one god who is formless and thus idol worship is
condemned by Sikh scriptures. It is for this reason that gurudwaras don’t
feature any idols of deities rather the focus of attention is the much
venerated tome, the Guru Granth Sahib.
Malaysia at present is home to
119 Sikh gurdwaras or Sikh temples. The State of Perak which hosts a
substantial Sikh population has the largest number of Sikh gurdwaras in the
country, forty-two at last count.
Some of the most well-known and stately
gurudwaras in Malaysia include:-
Tatt Khalsa Diwan, Kuala Lumpur
Located
in the heart of the capital city, in an area known as Kampung Baru, is the Tatt
Khalsa Diwan gurudwara. The building that houses the gurudwara is believed to
have been inspired by the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The gurudwara is renowned
for its durbur which is reputed to be the largest and perhaps the finest,
prayer hall in all of Southeast Asia.
The Gurudwara Sahib Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
The
Gurudwara Sahib Seremban, located at Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban dates back
to the early 1900’s. This gurudwara was founded by a Sikh para-military police
force which was stationed in the area though they were believed to have been
helped by a few Sikh cattle owners who had settled in the area. Today the
gurudwara is not only an important place of worship for the Sikh community of
Seremban, but it also serves as a prominent tourist attraction.
Gurudwara Sahib Mantin, Negeri Sembilan
The
Gurudwara Sahib in the Mukim of Setul was built in the 1890’s and is believed
to be the oldest Sikh Gurudwara in the State of Negeri Sembilan.
This gurudwara was constructed by the local Sikhs
who worked as watchmen in the tin mines of the area. The original structure of
the gurudwara was fashioned out of wooden planks topped with a roof made of
wood sourced from the attap tree.
Over
the years, the gurudwara has undergone many structural changes and today this
magnificent place of worship is one of the busiest gurudwaras during Sikh
festivals.
Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru
Records
indicate that a Sikh community was established in the state of Johor, in the
late 19th century. Most of the members of the community were
employed in the police force though some of them also served in the Johor
Sultan’s guard force.
In
April 1916, the Sikhs requested for a piece of land from the Johor Police
Commissioner to build a Sikh Gurudwara. They were allotted a muddy and swampy
plot of land in 1921.
The
Sikhs then went about reclaiming this land by filling it with much sand and
stones. They then proceeded to build the Johor gurudwara at this site in late
1921. The original structure was built
of timber and went on to stand for a number of years until it was rebuilt in
1960.Today the Gurudwara Sahib, Johor is a prominent landmark located in the
heart of the city of Johor Bahru, the capital of the state of Johor.
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