The Maritime Sikh Society     

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Halifax Gurdwara Mourns the death of Dr. Hew McLeod

 

Halifax Gurdwara, Canada , on Sunday August 2 , 2009,  paid tributes to Dr. Hew McLeod, the celebrated scholar of Sikh studies, who breathed his last on July 20, 2009.

Jagpal Singh Tiwana, President of the Gurdwara, recalled the visit of Dr. Hew McLeod to Halifax in October 1992 at the invitation of the Maritime Sikh Society, Halifax. Dr. McLeod was accompanied by his charming wife, Margaret. He presented a paper, 'The Sikh Struggle in the Eighteenth Century and its Relevance Today' at the International Centre Saint Mary's University, Halifax, spoke in the Gurdwara on 'Punjabis in New Zealand' and attended a reception in his honor in the evening at a local restaurant.

Mr. Gursharan Singh Toor, ex-president of our Gurdwara, was the chief speaker for the occasion. He paid glowing tributes to Dr. McLeod while appreciating his solid contribution to Sikh Studies. He said originally McLeod came to Punjab as Christian missionary, but was "spellbound by these new and different looking people called Sikhs. As he began to know them more, his fascination for their culture, history and their life style intensified. Ultimately, he not only quit the missionary service but also left Christianity and became a self proclaimed atheist..."

Mr. Toor remarked that McLoed was not only a scholar of high caliber, he had the qualities of character which impressed every one who came in contact with him, "I found Hew McLeod a very calm, stable, consistent but persistent person. His serenity could not be disturbed by any loud mouth. To me, he displayed the aura of what in Gurbani (Sikh scriptures) is called "Sehaj Avastha" or total serenity." remarked Mr. Toor

Mr.Toor specifically pointed out Dr. McLeod's contribution on the turban issue in Canada . In 1994 McLeod appeared as an expert witness in a court in Calgary and stressed the importance of turban to a Sikh when Baltej Singh Dhillon's right to wear a turban in the Canadian Police was challenged. Mr. Dhillon won the case and Sikhs are indebted to Dr. McLeod for the historic decision of the court. World Sikh Organization (WSO) thanked Dr. McLeod in its newsletter.

Mr Toor also had few words of praise for his wife Margaret who was not only his customary wife but a rock solid loyal friend through every thick and thin ready to face the consequences of their decisions. With such loyal and supportive company, he followed his new passion in life: "Understanding of Sikhs, Sikhism and various aspects of their history."

Mr. Toor concluded his tribute with an advice to members of Gurdwara Sangat, "This is the man whom I salute today. The best homage I can pay to this serene person is that we follow his methods of research and dedication relating to all fields of Sikh studies." Full address of Mr. Toor can be read at http://home.istar.ca/~cye/toor%20on%20McLeod.html

At the conclusion of Gurdwara ceremonies Mrs. Satpal Kaur Sodhi, auothor of a book , "Sikh Ardas", Chattar Singh Jiwan Singh, Amritsar, 2005, led the Ardas and prayed to Akal Purkh for granting peace to the departed soul.

 

Jagpal Singh Tiwana

       

 

 

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