Meeting of the Parliament
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Official Report
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Time for Reflection
Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Mrs Manjit Kaur Jheeta.
Mrs Manjit Kaur Jheeta (Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib, Glasgow)
I thank the Presiding Officer for giving me this opportunity to say a few words to the Parliament and its members.
Today, I am representing the Scottish Sikh community in my capacity as a representative of Scotland’s first purpose-built gurdwara—the Glasgow gurdwara. On behalf of Scottish Sikhs, I bless this chamber with the highest Sikh greeting of peace and prosperity Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
The gurdwara, or Sikh centre, is named after the universal Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib, which provide eternal guidance and solace to millions of people all round the world. The values of these scriptures—equality, justice and humanity—have been sparked amongst the Scottish Sikh community through the opening of the £4 million purpose-built facility.
Every pound devoted towards the building came from members of the faith and those of no faith, making the building truly equal and accessible.
This community-led project has prioritised the needs of people and education has been firmly placed at the core of the gurdwara’s purpose—serving young people and adults with free education.
My own role is the head of biology at Hutchesons’ grammar school in Glasgow, where I have witnessed first hand the value of education, and it is that enlightenment through education that helps society move forward.
As a Sikh, I am taught that, as human beings, we should set a high moral and ethical standard to inspire and motivate all those who come into contact with us. Our lives revolve around this service to the community and it is this aspiration that has been embraced by Scotland’s young Sikh leaders. Young individuals who once had little opportunity have been given a platform to shape their society and enable others to reach their potential.
Since opening in April 2013, we have recorded over 30,000 visitors and, in true Scottish Sikh spirit, we welcome you all. We want to motivate all people in Scotland with our aspirations and shared values, so that together we can create a society that moves forward together.