Multiculturalism as well as intercultural and interreligious harmony is crucial to mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. Unfortunately, these days not only in North America but also around the globe these concepts seem to be under a lot of pressure and scrutiny.
Here in Canada, so far we are fortunate that Canadians are more supportive and appreciative of developing and maintaining harmonious relationships with each other and between communities.
Learning about other cultures and communities is extremely important in this regard. Furthermore, our young people can play an important role in promoting these values. In this context, India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas has been doing its part for a number of years. Situated at the centre of #5 Road in Richmond, this Gurdwara is a favourite visiting place for students and adults alike. They come here to learn about intercultural harmony, Sikhism and the South Asian community.
Every week at least two or three groups visit the Gurdwara for this purpose. On Wednesday, October 9, twenty grade 8 students and their teachers from Island Pacific School on Bowen Island, not very far from the Horseshoe Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver, visited the Gurdwara. They were led by their teachers .This visit was part of their studies on World Religions.
These learners were keen to learn about various religions. Richmond’s Highway to Heaven (aka #5 Road) is an excellent place to do this. As part of their visit they had planned to visit various other places of worship in addition to the Gurdwara.
The group enjoyed a talk on Sikhism and the South Asian community. Their teacher, Adrian van Lidth de Jeude, put all of this in an excellent context in these words: “The grade 8 social studies curriculum focuses partly on world religions. I also strongly believe that developing an understanding of various ways of understanding our world is a critical part of a healthy education.”
The students and their teachers were very thankful to the Gurdwara Management Committee for a very warm welcome. Initiatives like this go a long way in helping our youth in becoming proud and productive citizens not only of Canada but also the world.