Basics of Sikhi is a Sikh educational initiative and charity founded in the United Kingdom by Jagraj Singh in 2012.[1][2] It aims to promote understanding of Sikh teachings and philosophy through engaging resources and community outreach.[3][4]
| ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਮੂਲ ਗੱਲਾਂ | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | BoS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2012 |
| Founder | Jagraj Singh |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Registration no. | 113262 (Charity ID) |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Sikh Religious Education • Charity |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Location |
|
| Methods | Online platforms • In-person activities |
Official language | English • Punjabi |
Parent organization | Everythings 13 |
| Affiliations | SikhPressAssociation • Everythings 13 • Basics of Sikhi Canada |
| Award(s) | Point of Light • Sikh Awards 2014 • Sikh Organisation of the Year 2016 |
| Website | https://www.basicsofsikhi.com |
Based in the United Kingdom, it focuses on providing clear, accessible information about Sikhism's core beliefs, practices and values. Basics of Sikhi have been accredited as being influential in the revival of young Sikhs across the globe in returning to their faith.[5][6]
BoS has online resources about the Sikh religion in English, Punjabi, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and French. [7]
Background
editUnder its parent organisation Everything's 13, a UK registered charity,[8] Basics of Sikhi was founded in 2012 by Jagraj Singh in the United Kingdom as a response to the increasing demand for accessible and relatable Sikh education. [9][10]
Recognizing the challenges faced by younger generations and individuals outside the faith in understanding Sikh beliefs, Singh set out to create an initiative that would bridge this gap. His vision was rooted in providing a sense of identity and belonging within the Sikh community while also promoting awareness among the broader public.[11][12]
Jagraj Singh, who had studied in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford, began his efforts by utilizing digital platforms such as YouTube to reach a global audience.[13]
Activities
editBasics of Sikhi embodies a modern approach to Sikh education, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by contemporary society. The initiative produces a wide range of videos mainly in both English and Punjabi, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences. The videos cover various topics, including the significance of Sikh scriptures, the importance of community service, also known as Sevā and applications of Sikh values in everyday life.[14]
In 2017, Jagraj Singh passed away with stage 4 inoperable liver cancer[15][16]
In 2019, Bos announced it would be doing more specific legal protections for Sikhs carrying kirpans and had launched a campaign to educate the public.[17]
In 2023, BoS supported the motion made by the Akal Takht stop destination weddings involving the Sikh Anand Karaj.[18]
Reception
editAs a result of the success of Basics of Sikhi, Jagraj Singh was honoured with the Points of Light award by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May in 2017. In the award letter, May wrote: "Your important work is doing much to positively engage both young Sikhs and the wider community with your faith. You are inspiring those of all faiths and none to make a difference with their lives".[19]
Affiliate organisations
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Osborne, Sam (19 October 2015). "Jagmeet Singh: Sikh charity calls on British media to provide coverage of treatment of Sikhs in India". The Independent.
Basics of Sikhi, an educational charity based in the UK, later accused presenter Sian Williams of belittling Mr Singh.
- ^ McGarvey, Dan (8 June 2018). "Sikh group uses power of food and hundreds of years of tradition to build bridges in Calgary". CBC.
"We don't know who's right next to us and how much we have in common," said Rusveer Kaur Jones with the Sikh education organization Basics of Sikhi
- ^ Mcneil, Daniel (13 April 2022). "Vaisakhi 2022 London: when is Hindu and Sikh festival, what date is it celebrated, and events near me". LondonWorld. Archived from the original on 2022-12-15.
- ^ Jhutti-Johal, Jagbir (2019). Racialization, Islamophobia and Mistaken Identity. Routledge. ISBN 9781351138840.
However, Sikhs did not have the attention or advocacy of Oxbridge educated journalists like Oborne or Hasan, newspaper editors or academics when on the receiving end of anti-Muslim backlash. Nor were there any dedicated mainstream documentaries focusing specifically on the Sikh problem. It was through the efforts of grassroots organizations like the Basics of Sikhi (founded by the late Jagraj Singh) that the wider public were provided with an education on Sikhism through street dialogue or parchaar, which became widely disseminated via YouTube.
- ^ "January 2020 – Sikhi(sm): A Question of Identity? – University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "Young, Sikh and Proud (2020)". Archives for Education. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ The Oxford Handbook of Digital Religion. Oxford University Press. 2023. ISBN 9780197549803.
With over twenty-five hundred videos and 170,000 subscribers at the time of writing in 2021, the BOS YouTube channel has become one of the most important online resources about the Sikh tradition, containing resources in a variety of languages including Spanish (YouTube 2015a), Chinese (YouTube 2013b), French (YouTube 2013a), and Russian (YouTube 2015c). Indeed, BOS has produced resources in up to eighteen languages (Basics of Sikhi n.d.) to appeal to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike.
- ^ a b "EVERYTHINGS 13". Charity Commission for England and Wales - UK Government Website.
- ^ "'Young, Sikh and Proud': story of Jagraj Singh to air on BBC1 on 28th January | Barfi Culture". Barficulture.tv. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
- ^ "Young, Sikh and Proud on BBC1 – Everything you need to know". Radio Times. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "Southall Gurdwara opens its doors for public screening of India's Daughter". Ealing Times. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "BBC Radio 2 launches Faith In The World Week". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "Bhai Jagraj Singh (BoS) | SikhNet". SikhNet. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ Jhutti-Johal, Jagbir; Singh, Hardeep (2019). Racialization, Islamophobia and Mistaken Identity: The Sikh Experience. Routledge Studies in Religion and Politics. Routledge. ISBN 9781351138840.
It was through the efforts of grassroots organizations like the Basics of Sikhi (founded by the late Jagraj Singh) that the wider public were provided with an education on Sikhism through street dialogue or parchaar, which became widely disseminated via YouTube.
- ^ "BBC – Local BBC Radio – Faith in The World Week 2019 – Sukhmani Kaur's story". BBC. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ ""We are fighting…but I am ready" – Jagraj Singh gives speech to thousands | SikhPA". 7 December 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "Sikh man held for carrying kirpan wants more education". BBC. 3 February 2019.
Under current law, knives can be carried for religious reasons, but Basics of Sikhi wants to see more specific legal protections for Sikhs carrying kirpans, and has launched a campaign to educate the public.
- ^ Kaur, Amneet (18 May 2023). "Sikhs should stop with destination weddings' says Basics of Sikhi". BirminghamLive.
- ^ "Everything's 13". Points of Light. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "Sikhs to raise awareness of free communal kitchen concept in Milton Keynes". Milton Keynes Citizen. 26 September 2018.
- ^ "Fancy a free lunch in Gravesend?". News Shopper. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ "Southall Gurdwara opens its doors for public screening of India's Daughter". Ealing Times. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ^ Chong, Phoebe (7 February 2019). "Langar brings the UBC Sikh community together to serve free meals for all". The Ubyssey.
The Sikh Student Association of UBC in partnership with Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen and Basics of Sikhi Canada hosted Langar Day for the second time this school year.
- ^ "Basics of Sikhi". CanadaHelps.