NEW YORK: The competition dedicated to the martyrdom of the four Sahibzaade, connecting religion and heritage organized by educational and religious councils of the World Sikh Parliament.
These competitions, started in 2021, highlight Sikh teachings and history to engage children and families. This year’s program focused on Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji's martyrdom, emphasizing teachings from his life and the essence of Gurbani to educate the Sikh youth about their heritage, countering the global impact that distances the younger generation from their significant historical legacy.
This year's program was designed for children in three age groups, and each group participated in quizzes, Gurbani recitals, and speech competitions. Starting from December 2nd, the program spanned different states - Virginia's Gurdwara Singh Sabha Fairfax, Sikh Cultural Society Richmond Hill New York, Sikh Center of New York Flushing/Queens Village, Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center, Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island, New Jersey's Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Carteret, Sikh Gurdwara of Pine Hill, Guru Nanak Foundation of Connecticut in Norwalk, Pennsylvania's Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Lehigh Valley Nazareth, Maryland's Baltimore Sikh Society, among others, hosting centers where over 500 children from various backgrounds participated.
The final program of this religious competition took place on December 23rd at Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Carteret in New Jersey, where children from all 11 centers, representing three age groups, delivered their final speeches related to Guru Arjan Sahib Ji's teachings and historical insights.
The program concluded with a highly impactful award ceremony where prominent personalities from the East Coast region, Gurdwara management committees, Sikh organizations, and communities generously supported the endeavor. The continuous support of the community is solicited in furthering the propagation of Sikhism with the aim to reach every human being worldwide, fostering the universal message of Guru Sahib’s universality, transcending from children to every individual in the world.