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Sikhism in Greece
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 Damaskinos of Athens meeting with turbaned Indian-Sikh troops in Salonika (1945) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 20,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Athens · Megara · Chalkida · Psachna | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
| Punjabi · Greek language |
Sikhism in Greece (Greek: Σιχ στην Ελλάδα') is a minority religion. The Sikh community in Greece is a small but vastly growing one. According to the latest available data, there are approximately 20,000 Sikhs in Greece.[1] The Sikh population in Greece has grown over the years, with many Sikhs migrating to the country for agricultural work or to start their own businesses.
Sikhs in Greece dates back to the early 1900's, many Sikhs came to the country as a part of the British Indian Army.
History[edit]
Sikh Gurus[edit]
According to Sikh historian, Harpal Singh Kasoor, Guru Nanak may have passed through Greece in one of his journeys to spread the Sikh teachings.
World War I & World War II[edit]
Sikhs have fought and passed through Greece in both World Wars, in large number as part of the British Indian Army. A cemetery of Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army, still exists in Salonika. It was built in 1920, to bury the bodies of the Sikh soldiers of the First World War. However, the first Sikh community was formed in the 1950s by Sikh immigrants. They worked as farmers or fishermen in the Greek islands. Till the 1970s, the population of Sikhs in Greece was less than 200 people. After the 1970s, Sikh immigrants came to Greece through Turkey. Some of them started their own farm stores and recruited other immigrants to work with them.
Post 1990's[edit]
In the 1990s the number of immigrants further increased. The Sikh community in Athens formed a small organization for their religious and social needs, which led to the building of Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Darbar. They called a granthi, brought some saroops of Guru Granth Sahib and rented a large industrial space that served as the temple. It was known by the Greeks as the "Indian Organization of Tavros, Athens", however the Punjabi characters on the temple board translate to "Sikh Temple Shri Guru Nanak Darbar, Athens". This was done to prevent the possible future attacks on a foreign religious monument. Following Athens' Sikh community, some other Sikh immigrants also made temples in Oinofita, Oropos, Kranidi and Thebes. A large place has been bought by the committee of one of the old Gurdwaras of Oinofita, for the construction of new Gurdwara, outside Schimatari and near to the Military Airport of Tanagra. Even though a new construction of a Gurdwara needs a lot of money, most of the needed money has been donated by nearby-living Sikhs as Daswand. The saroop of Guru Granth Sahib was moved from the old building and moved to the new one, even though it is only half complete. It is the only non-rented Gurdwara in Greece. The construction is planned to finish in 2018.
Migration[edit]
Sikh migrants have been drawn to Greece for various reasons. Many Sikhs migrated to work on Greek shipping lines as no working visa was required. Also some Sikhs entered illegally by jumping offshore as soon as the boat docked into Greece. The geographical location of Greece is an entry in Europe, therefore has been a favourable destination for people in the 2015 European migrant crisis.[2]
There is a large Sikh population in Megara, where hundreds of Sikhs take part in the annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan.[3]
Discrimination[edit]
2014 Sikh Gurdwara attacks[edit]
In 2014, Gurdwara Sri Dasmesh Singh Sabha and Gurdwara Bhagat Ravidas Darbar were attacked by gunfire in Greece. As per Sikh Channel report, there were no causalities however some buildings faced some damaged. [4]
Gurdwaras[edit]
There are various Gurdwaras in Greece in locations such as Athens, Megara, Chalkidiki and Psachna. [3][5]
References[edit]
- ↑ Lavin, Talia. "Vibrant Vaisakhi Celebrates Sikh Life In Greece". Huffington Post.
The Sikh community in Greece, numbered at around 20,000 according to a 2012 report, joined together to mark the holy day
- ↑ Virk, Hardev Singh (2020). Sikhs in Continental Europe: From Norway to Greece and Russia to Portugal. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.10558.10565.
Greece has attracted Sikh migrants because of two reasons. Greek Shipping Lines recruited Sikhs and for working on a ship no visa is required till one is sailing on high seas. Most of them entered Greece as illegal immigrants by jumping off on the shore as soon as the ship docked in a port. The other reason is that Greece is the entry point to Europe for those who travelled by the land route via Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bureau, Athens. "Megara: Hundreds of Indians in traditional costumes take part in Sikh ceremony - Photos". Greek City Times.
- ↑ "Greece: Gun-shots fired at two Sikh Gurdwaras in 'racially-motivated' attack". Hindustan Times.
Two Sikh Gurdwaras- Gurdwara Sri Dasmesh Singh Sabha and Bhagat Ravidas Darbar in Marathon, were attacked by gunfire in Greece. The attack reportedly took place on Sept. 21.
- ↑ Mamakouka, Iro-Anna. "Sikhs of Athens Offer Free Food to All". Greek Reporter.
- Singh, Brij Pal, A Sikh in Greece, SikhNet, retrieved July 9, 2013