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Summary of Question:	Ok To Observe Remembrance Day?
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 11/08/2001 11:01 AM MST

Sat Sri Akal Jee.

I wanted to ask you a question about remembering the dead.
I am refering to the 11th November, the end of the first world war. Here in England, everyone stops for two minutes at 11am on the 11th November. I'm not sure, as a sikh, whether or not I should be remembering the dead?

Thank you for your help.

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal. Good question. This kind of remembrance is not about worshiping the dead, which is the issue that concerned our Gurus. Remembrance day is honoring the MEMORY of those who fought and died for your freedom. The focus is NOT on dead bodies; and, so many died, the focus is not on the individual dead (except by their families). The focus is honoring that so many were willing to sacrifice for freedom. This is not unlike Sikhs building a gurdwara on a site where a key battle was fought for our freedom, such as Fatehgarh, where the sons of 10th master gave their lives. Do you see the difference? I think it is perfectly OK for you to join in the 2 minute remembrance. You can ask Waheguru to BLESS and protect the souls of all those who fought and died for the freedom you enjoy today.

Guru rakha,
-DKK