Sarbat da Bhala is the Sikh concept of “blessings to everyone” and Sikh Dharma Chile manifests that sentiment in big and small ways.

On September 23 Sikh Dharma Chile was invited to participate in the annual Tefilá for Chile, organized by the Chilean Jewish Community. The meeting was hosted by the Santiago Sephardi Synagogue, and included the Chilean President Sebastián Piñera, President of the Chilean Jewish Community Mr. Gerardo Gorodischer, President of the Jewish Sephardi community Mr. Abraham Cohen, Rabbi of the Sephardi Community Mr. Daniel Zang, Heads of Department, members of Congress, government authorities, representatives of several municipalities, officers of armed forces, Rabbis, heads of different religions, and members of the Jewish Association.

S.S. Sat Sansar Singh was invited in his capacity as member of the Board of the Chilean Interfaith Dialog Association (ADIR), a group of representatives from all major religions, spiritual paths, and first nations with activities in Chile.

Activities included addresses by President Piñera, Mr. Gorodischer, prayers by Rabbis Jonathan Szewkis, Schmuel Steinhendler, Pablo Gabe, and Eduardo Waingortin, readings from the Torah, opening of the Sacred Ark and chanting of traditional Jewish songs. Later discussions included a range of topics comprising anti-hate legislative initiatives currently in discussion at Congress, the role of religion in modern day urban life, and cooperation between religions.

On October 3rd Sikh Dharma Chile was invited to a lunch hosted by the local Indian Association with recently appointed Ambassador of India to Chile Sri Subrata Bhattacharjee. Lunch was attended by approximately 40 representatives of the Indian Association in Chile, and included a cultural venue with traditional Indian music and dancing.

Discussions included a range of topics comprising of Indian Culture and Spirituality, identity of Chilean Sikhs and the devotional and seva programs, namely monthly Gurdwara with the Spanish Siri Guru Granth Sahib and weekly Langar programs.

Sri Subrata Bhattacharjee showed interest and support in local Sikh activities, and offered Indian Embassy facilities for the celebration of the coming Guru Nanak Gurpurab on November 14.

Religious and community leaders meeting with former President of Senate and current Presidential candidate Yasna Provoste (with orange jacket at the bottom center).

This post was originally shared by the Dharmic Office of Public Affairs