Sunday morning we woke up to music from the Punjab region echoing all over the street.
For the past three years, I have lived with my family in the Parc Extension neighborhood in Montreal. In fact, Parc Extension is the integration neighborhood for South Asian communities. Religious celebrations are often held in front of our house since our building is located in front of the Hindu and Sikh temple.
This morning, I went out to meet my Sikhs neighbors. I learned several things, in fact unlike the Hindu religion, Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. Their only devotion is the book of Guru Ravidass who was an Indian poet-saint and mystic of the Bhakri movement of the 11th century. He is recognized as a spiritual figure and an important reformer. He taught the suppression of the social caste system, gender divisions and promoted unity in the pursuit of personal spiritual freedom. Thus Sikhs do not recognize the Indian caste system and are fiercely opposed to it.
Furthermore, I learned that Sikhism was founded on the concept of equal rights for all. Similarly, Sikhs do not believe in idol worship or magical rituals. This religion is a way of being, and promoting serving communities tolerance and brotherhood towards all, thus I was welcomed with open arms by my neighbors who were celebrating in the street and offered me various tasty dishes from Punjab.