shaheediyan Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 This is such a shame. My dads cousin used to work in Iraq around 18 years ago, he said the Iraqis' and Saddam Hussein had much respect for Sikhs, Saddam had actually helped restore the Gurdwara once upon a time.... Baghdad Gurdwara Destroyed Author: News Date: 05-25-07 11:48 Iraq keen to rebuild damaged Sikh shrine PTI Friday, May 25, 2007 16:33 IST BAGHDAD: Iraq is keen to rebuild a historic Sikh shrine commemorating Guru Nanak's visit to Baghdad, which had been destroyed by 'fanatics' after the invasion of the country by US-led coalition forces, a top leader said on Friday. Iraqi National Congress chief Ahmed Chalabi, one of Iraq's prominent leaders, who drove down through the desolate streets of Baghdad to the sacred Sikh site last night under heavy military protection, said 'it has unfortunately been wiped out by fanatics because they thought it was against Islam'. "It's shameful they cannot respect someone who has millions of followers," he said at the gurdwara site along the river Tigris. Iraqi officials escorting Chalabi informed him about the original design of the gurdwara that was built alongside the tomb of a Muslim religious leader, which has suffered no damage. "We will rebuild it," Chalabi said even as he admitted he did not know that a Sikh shrine had ever existed in Baghdad, which houses the Indian embassy. The Iraqi leader, seen as close to the Bush administration, ruled out the possibility of the gurdwara being destroyed in military fire. "It was a mortar attack by some fanatic," he said, adding he believed it would have happened after the fall of Saddam Hussein. News reports during the Iraq war had suggested the gurdwara had suffered damage in the attack, but there has been no official confirmation until now from Iraq about its condition. The visit to the site revealed complete destruction of the shrine. Chalabi, who broke the lock at the gate of the shrine's compound to inspect the site, pointed out that the shrine's marble floor had been pulled out and its roof razed to the ground. Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who accompanied him, also requested immediate rebuilding of the gurdwara. According to Sikh history, Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, visited Baghdad and had a discourse with Bahlol Dana, a sufi teacher. The gurdwara commemorating the Guru's visit lies near what is now a devastated railway station in Baghdad. "The Sikh community has contributed a lot to Iraq. They have worked here in railways, construction and a lot of other activities. We respect them and will see to it that this is rebuilt," Chalabi said. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatanga Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I read that in the 1980- iran iraq war, that the indian govt told Sadam that the gurdwara was a spy base, and he had the gurdwara partially destroyed, then after realising his mistake he helped restore it. this i beleive hapned in 1986. has anyone else heard anything similiar? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sag_roti2 Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 I read that in the 1980- iran iraq war, that the indian govt told Sadam that the gurdwara was a spy base, and he had the gurdwara partially destroyed, then after realising his mistake he helped restore it. this i beleive hapned in 1986. has anyone else heard anything similiar? Where did you read this ? You mean Sadaam had a conscience and a secret admiration for the Sikh faith so he re-built it ? Seems very far fetched story to me.. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatanga Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 i dont think that sadam had a seret admiration for the sikh faith, so as i said before i cannot say the story is true, which is why i asked for other peopels views. However what i had read from difrent sources is that the furniture and throne of sadam palace was made by a sikh, who was sadams personal carpenter. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jassasingh Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 but whats the use of gurudwara when there are no sikhs ... and was their parkash of adi guru granth sahib in their ???? i have seen that gurudawara .... it was a room around 10 by 10 .... on one side there was picture of guru nanakdev ji next to it their was picture of dasmesh pita and small picture in center was kept of lord shiva .... a news channel showed it when America invaded Iraq 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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