Plenary, 23 Sep 2009

Meeting date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Official Report 349KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. Our first item of business is, as always on a Wednesday, time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Charandeep Singh, from the University of Strathclyde.

Good afternoon. I would like to thank the Presiding Officer for giving me the opportunity to speak at the Scottish Parliament. Today, I am representing the Scottish Sikh community in my capacity as a leader of the Scottish Sikhs youth project and a member of the youth committee of the Scottish Inter Faith Council.

Sikhism teaches that we, as human beings, should set a high moral and ethical standard to inspire and motivate all who come into contact with us. Working hard to earn an honest living, sharing with those in need and meditation are three fundamental rules of Sikhism that can be applied universally and are adopted in our lives so that we can move from an egocentric lifestyle to one that revolves around service to the community.

That attitude has led me to undertake many voluntary roles involving children, young people and adults. When I was a young child, compulsory attendance to learn about Sikhism and Punjabi culture was the norm. The knowledge and skills that I gained from those lessons have shaped my attitudes and views to the extent that they form a core part of my personality. Now, I am involved in teaching the very same classes that I once attended. I can now play a part in educating children about not only their own heritage but the culture and beliefs of others. In turn, that creates not a society that tolerates but one that accepts.

While growing up in the south side of Glasgow, our neighbours—a Scottish couple—encouraged my parents to send me to a Catholic primary and secondary school to instil in me good values and education. I received not only an improved education, but good values and a sense of personal responsibility. I see those neighbours as my Scottish grandparents, portraying the positive crossover between faiths and cultures.

I recently attended a seminar for senior pupils at Oban high school that was titled "Faith and Young People". On entering the school, I realised that a Sikh who dons a turban is not as common a sight in Oban as it may be in Glasgow. Being able to share my experiences as a young person of faith helped those pupils to realise that we shared many more common values than they first thought, even though our appearances may be worlds apart.

I believe that young people are the key to Scotland's prosperous future. Interfaith dialogue between educational establishments and faith and community leaders is paramount in creating a stronger and prouder nation. To this day, I have not witnessed anywhere else in the United Kingdom the respect for diversity that is in Scotland. That is why I say that I am not a member of the Sikh community but a member of the Scottish Sikh community.