Treasures Revealed

SIKHS OF CALDERDALE

Hosted by Piece Hall, Off Horton Street, Halifax  HX1 NRE
Contact: Mr Gabbi
Tel: 07886 726803  Email: gabbigc@hotmail.co.uk

Calderdale perhaps, is the only major district in the North without a Gurdawra (Sikh Temple), mostly because of the relatively small Sikh community.  Calderdale Sikhs travel to Bradford or Huddersfield for worship.

Most Sikhs in Calderdale have their roots in the Punjab State of India.  On arrival in this country, Sikhs, along with others newcomers, started working in foundries, textiles, public transport and corner shops, but they encountered great prejudice and struggled to gain recognition of their faith among the local population.  However, they persevered and in the 1960's managed to overturn a blanket ban on the wearing of turbans in work places.  This was followed by the recognition of the Sikh Community as an "ethnic group" by the House of Lords in 1981, giving Sikhs a special status.

Today, after half a century, Sikhs are proud to be part of the UK, and proud to make their contribution to the welfare of the nation.