Gallery and resource centre at temple showcases Sikh community

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Abang Johari (second right) with Dr Kalwinder (right), Fadillah (second left) and others touring the gallery of Sarawak Sikh Temple Association. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa

KUCHING: The new gallery and resource centre of Sarawak Sikh Temple Association is set to enlighten visitors about the community and how it has progressed over the last century.

President Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the association hoped the centre could eventually become an important tourist attraction.

“The Gurdwara Sahib building lies in the centre of city, is close to the heritage zone, and a place with a lot of tourists. Many tourists are drawn by this building’s architecture and also because of their curiosity about the community.

“Due to the lack of space in the temple, we’ve to use the foyer on the ground floor for the gallery and a room there as a resource centre,” he said before Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg launched the centre yesterday.

The gallery showcases an introduction about Sikhs, the temple, the progress and activities of the community over the last 100 years. Besides showing old photographs from members of the community, the resource centre that comes with books and computers also provides a source of knowledge for all.

Dr Kalwinder said the association had requested the state government to alienate an adjacent piece of state land to solve the limited space problem.

“We have paid a courtesy call on the chief minister last August and briefed him on the need of the land for future development of the Sikh community.”

He hoped the new centre would serve as a platform for people to learn how the Sikh community, for a century, had interacted, progressed, and lived in harmony with other communities and faiths. He said understanding one another’s faith would reinforce solidarity among the people of a country.

“Sometimes perception is fashioned by assumptions, but knowledge would promote mutual understanding, which is why the Sikh community is keen to showcase the community.”