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Global Peace – An Islamic Perspective ACET– Global Peace Project

SIKHISM

Founded in the 15th century in the Indian subcontinent, Sikhism is the world’s fifth-largest

religion, with around 30 million followers globally. It is a monotheistic religion that was founded

by Guru Nanak, and carried forward by ten successive human Sikh Gurus after him. The Guru

Granth Sahib is a composition of writings by the Sikh Gurus, which outlines the principles of

Sikhism. The resultant holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, is known as the everlasting guru

[23]
of the Sikhs and is considered to be the eleventh and last guru. Whilst the majority of Sikhs
live in the state of Punjab in India, today Sikhs reside all over the world.[ 24]

Like all other religions mentioned in this book, Sikhism preaches harmony and peace among

humans. In one of his scriptures, Guru Nanak wrote:

“No one is my enemy

No one is a foreigner
With all I am at peace

God within us renders us

Incapable of hate and prejudice” [25]

Sikhism only allows for confrontation when no other peaceful solution is possible in a situation,

and strictly defines the situations in which war would be deemed necessary. This religion

teaches that in the eventuality of conflict, strict rules of fighting apply – for example, civilians
and places of worship should not be harmed. [26]

Sikhism attempt to eliminate the causes of strife and conflict, striving to remove pain and
suffering from society, both at the individual and global level. Guru Nanak’s approach to

attaining peace and harmony involves accepting and respecting diversity, so that people from

all faiths can co-exist. All the Sikh Gurus after him similarly preached kinship between all
[27]
creations, believing that all religions lead people to one superior entity, the one true God. [28]

Personal peace is the first level of peace that all Sikhs strive to achieve. An individual should

first free him or herself from lust, greed, fear, and insecurities, through meditation and prayer.

After inner peace comes community. Community life and activities hold the utmost importance

This free publication has been compiled by ACET–Global. Please feel free to use and distribute it as an original version without changes.

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