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Sikhs participate in 7th annual Cincinnati festival of faiths
Cincinnati Mayor and Sikh American Aftab Pureval participated in the event and lauded the Sikhs for sharing knowledge about the Sikh faith.
Kirtan / Courtesy/Sameep Singh
Sikhs from Cincinnati and Dayton took part in the seventh annual “Cincinnati Festival of Faiths,” a celebration of the city's diverse religious traditions organized by EquaSion. This year's event featured over 30 faith organizations representing 13 world religions.
The festival began with a multi-faith prayer service, highlighting the teachings of various religious communities. Aasees Kaur, widow of one of the festival’s founding members, Jaipal Singh, shared key teachings from the Sikh faith. Quoting the Guru Granth Sahib, she emphasized, “I do not see any enemy, I do not see any opponent, I have love for everyone.” Her words underscored the Sikh message of universal love and acceptance.
Gyani Harpal Singh, head granthi (priest) from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab, India, praised the Sikh community’s efforts, stating, “I salute their spirit as they strive to bring their national presence and identity on the global stage. Through their work, they uplift the name of the community, may Guru Sahib bless them.”
Bikramjit Singh, Charanbir Singh Rababi and Prabhjot Singh recited the Shabad Kirtan "sabhae jeea samaal apni apanee mihar kar" along with the Sikh Sangat. During the meditation session, Bibi Meher Kaur, from the Sikh community, sang the ‘Mool Mantra’ and meditated ‘Waheguru’ using the Dilruba.
Turban Tying, Group photo of Sikhs, and Sikh Booth visitors. / Courtesy/Sameep SinghThe Sikh booth at the festival offered visitors insights into Sikh beliefs and practices, featuring literature, Kakkars (5Ks), and turban-tying demonstrations. Sikh volunteers guided attendees through the process of tying a turban, explaining its significance as a symbol of equality, humility, and commitment to Sikh values.
As part of the tradition, the Sikh community also served Langar, a communal vegetarian meal, to all festival attendees. This gesture, rooted in the principles of selfless service and equality, exemplified the Sikh commitment to community and inclusivity.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval lauded the Sikh community’s contributions, stating, “People of all faiths have come together here to celebrate peace and compassion. I am proud of my Sikh heritage and the practice of Langar, which embodies the Sikh belief that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. This tradition, seen in Gurdwaras worldwide, where food is prepared and served to all, reflects our commitment to equality and unity. I am proud of the Sikh community and this interfaith tradition in Cincinnati.”
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