Sikhism in Belgium

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Sikhism is a minority religion in Belgium. That said Sikhs play some role in Belgian history. In World War I many Sikhs fought in Belgium. A notable example of this is the First Battle of Ypres where an entire platoon of Dogra Sikhs died.^[1]

Contents 1 Migration to Belgium 2 Incidents 3 Work 4 Sikh Gurdwaras 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Migration to Belgium

The first Sikhs started coming in 1985 after Sukhdev Singh Jalwehra.^{[citation needed]} When he came there was a ban on a photo with the person wearing a turban for a passport or identy card. Sukhdev fought the case and won, and Sikhs where allowed to wear a turban on photos for a passport or indenty card.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Incidents

In 1994, the government of the United States noted that while Belgium has freedom of religion and has not seen much systematic violence directed against religious minorities or newcomers, an exception to the general rule came in 1993 against Sikhs. In Sint-Truiden, Sikh workers in agriculture were bullied by some citizens, and eventually one Sikh was shot. A house belonging to Sikhs was also bombed, with no fatalities. There were arrests in the aftermath.^[2]

[edit] Work

Most Sikhs own night shops in Brussels or are labours in agriculture in Sint-Truiden.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Sikh Gurdwaras

There are 4 Gurudwara's in Belgium. The two biggest and oldest being in Vilvoorde and Sint-Truiden (Made in 1987).^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

1. ^ Sikhs.org
2. ^ U.S. Department of State, "BELGIUM HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES, 1993," January 31, 1994, URL accessed January 11, 2007.

[edit] External links

• Gurudwara Guru Nanak Sahib in Brussels