This is Madina of Sikh community, says Imran

A year ago when the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor took place in Pakistan, the plan to turn it into a corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit the gurdwara here seemed quite ambitious. But on November 9, the plan had turned into reality.

Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor on Saturday.

He congratulated the Sikh community on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. “I didn’t know the importance of Kartarpur for the Sikh community. I only found out a year ago. Imagine if Muslims could only see Madina from a distance of 4-5 km. This is the Madina of the Sikh community,” he said. Prophet Mohammad is buried in Madina. Mr. Khan praised the message of humanity propagated by Baba Guru Nanak.

Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan, India and across the world were present at the opening.

Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, MLA from Batala, Punjab, told The Hindu that it was the biggest wish of the Sikh community that had finally been fulfilled. “We are thankful to both the Pakistani and Indian Prime Ministers who, despite tensions between the two countries, went ahead and opened this corridor.” Mr. Singh said it was his first visit to Pakistan.

Surjit Kaur from Patiala said it was commendable that the Kartarpur Corridor had been completed in less than a year. “Houses take more time to be built. This is indeed a miracle.” Ms. Kaur said she was here at the groundbreaking ceremony last year as well.

“Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is absolutely magnificent. We are so impressed at the way they have built it and the way they have organised it. By building this, they have wiped out all our past grievances,” said Harcharan Singh, a Sikh yatree from India.

Talking to The Hindu, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah said he saw the corridor not as a political move. “We are promoting Baba Guru Nanak’s message of peace and brotherhood.” When asked about India’s concerns regarding Khalistani elements, Brig Ijaz Shah said India was trying to fail this [Kartarpur] initiative by spreading such rumours. “This is a religious move. A message of peace.”

Kashmir Singh, a 61-year-old from Amritsar, was visiting Pakistan for the first time. “Imran Khan has won the hearts of the Sikh community,” he said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan was given a hero’s welcome by the Sikh community at the opening. Mr. Khan said he was happy that he could do this for the Sikhs. He said that God lived in everyone’s hearts. “If you make anyone happy, God gives you happiness... those who sell hatred aren’t leaders.” He reiterated his wish for peace with India and asked Mr. Modi to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Congress MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu also addressed the opening ceremony.

(Originally published in The Hindu)

Comments

Unknown said…
Do you see the similarity between demand of indemnity bond by IK and signed bond of Shylock the Jew (Merchant of venice).
The mentality is same
7:43 pm
Unknown said…
Do you see the similarity between demand of indemnity bond by IK and signed bond of Shylock the Jew (Merchant of venice).
The mentality is same
7:44 pm
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