Sikh Community Gathers At Local College to Mourn Loss Of Temple Gutted In Fire

March 23, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: SikhNet

http://www.sikhnet.com/news/chigwell-sikh-community-gather-local-college-mourn-loss-temple-gutted-fire

The Sikh community gathered in Chigwell Sunday to mourn the loss of one of London’s most important temples which was partially destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

The Sangat gathered at midday at the Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, on Roding Lane, to perform religious rites for the damage done to the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, in Bow.

It housed priceless religious books which were destroyed in the fire, and a criminal investigation has been launched by police and fire investigators who are treating the blaze as suspicious.

Most of the building’s roof collapsed as more than 50 fire-fighters battled the fire for almost eight hours on Monday afternoon (March 16).

United Sikhs director Harsharen Kaur said: “Great are the fire-fighters who put out the fire, and risked their lives to recover our guruji's saroops.

“May everyone's prayers, presence and seva be parvaan (accepted), and may we continue to come together in ekta, with nimrata an pyaar (unity, humility and love), hopefully in less tragic circumstances."