New Delhi/Chandigarh/September 26
Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the reconstruction of the historical site of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Baghdad, Iraq. In his letter, Sant Seechewal mentioned that during his Udasis (travels), Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the city of Baghdad in 1511 AD. The sacred site suffered damage during the Second World War as well as during the US-Iraq war.
Sant Seechewal stated that Guru Nanak’s followers are spread across the globe, and their deep devotion is tied to this site being restored to its original form. He appealed to the Prime Minister to use his influence to establish contact with Iraq’s supreme leader, Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei, and ensure the reconstruction of this sacred place for the Sikh community.
It is noteworthy that on January 23, 1990, Iraq’s then-President Saddam Hussein, after a meeting with Sikh religious leaders, granted permission for the Gurdwara’s reconstruction.
Speaking to the media, Sant Seechewal said that the Sikh community in Iraq had contacted him by telephone and urged that the fallen historical site of Guru Nanak Dev Ji be rebuilt. He further highlighted that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, during his Udasis, gave the message of universal brotherhood and peace, and by following that path, peace can be brought to the entire world.
Sikh youth living in Iraq, Sukhpal Singh and Rashpal Singh, expressed concern that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s historical site no longer exists in its original form. They added that the Sikh community in Iraq faces many challenges in practicing its religious freedom. For a long time, the Sikh community in Iraq has been appealing to Sikh religious leaders worldwide to help ensure the reconstruction of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s sacred site.
