Sikhism in Iraq Iraq
السيخية في العراق
Photograph taken within the Guru Nanak's shrine in Baghdad (Baba Nanak Shrine), circa early to mid 20th century
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Baghdad
Religions
Sikhism
Languages
Punjabi · Arabic

Sikhism in Iraq (Arabic: السيخية في العراق, romanized: alsiykhiat fi aleiraq) does not have a permanent population, but has a historical presence because of travels by Guru Nanak and Sikh soldiers stationed in Iraq during World War I and World War II.[1]

It is likely that some Sikhs may be still be in Iraq but their numbers may be very small.

Guru Nanak's journey

Baba Nanak Shrine in Iraq

Guru Nanak traveled vast distances in four major journeys with his Muslim Minstrel, Bhai Mardana. During one of those journeys, he traveled across the Muslim world and at one point stayed outside of Baghdad. According to historical sources he held a dialogue with Sheikh Bahlool Dana, a Sufi saint. At some point, a shrine to Guru Nanak was built alongside Bahlool Dana's tomb.[1] In the chaos following the 2003 invasion of Iraq looters or vandals stripped the monument of religious texts and a plaque commemorating the meeting.[1]

The Monument still exists but condition of the structure is not good, people reside nearby call this Baba Nanak Shrine , it is close to Al Muthunna near to Baghdad. Guru Nanak is traditionally locally known as Nanak Peer in Iraq.[2][3]

World Wars

During both world wars Sikh soldiers in the British Army were posted in Iraq. During World War I the shrine to Guru Nanak was rediscovered by a Sikh captain, Dr Kirpal Singh, after being forgotten for centuries. In the early 1930s Sikh soldiers repaired the shrine and during World War II continued its upkeep.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "AFP: Sikh shrine in Baghdad lives on in memories". Google Search. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  2. ↑ Baker, Janet (2 October 2019). "Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020". Sikh Formations. 15 (3–4): 499. doi:10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641. ISSN 1744-8727.
  3. ↑ Service, Tribune News. "Booklet on Guru Nanak Dev's teachings released". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 19 February 2023. Rare is a saint who has travelled and preached as widely as Guru Nanak Dev. He was known as Nanakachraya in Sri Lanka, Nanak Lama in Tibet, Guru Rimpochea in Sikkim, Nanak Rishi in Nepal, Nanak Peer in Baghdad, Wali Hind in Mecca, Nanak Vali in Misar, Nanak Kadamdar in Russia, Baba Nanak in Iraq, Peer Balagdaan in Mazahar Sharif and Baba Foosa in China, said Dr S S Sibia, director of Sibia Medical Centre.


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