Sikhism in Greece

A Sikh temple in Athens

Sikhi in Greece dates back to 1942, when during the Axis occupation of the country, the Sikhs came to the country as a part of Indian volunteer units of the Wehrmacht.

History

The first Sikh community was formed in the 1950s by Sikh immigrants. They worked as farmers or fishermen in the Greek islands. Till the 1970s, the population of Sikhs in Greece was less than 200 people. After the 1970s, Sikh immigrants came to Greece through Turkey. Some of them started their own farm stores and recruited other immigrants to work with them.

In the 1990s the number of immigrants further increased. The Sikh community in Athens formed a small organization for their religious and social needs, which led to the building of Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Darbar. They called a granthi, brought some saroops of Guru Granth Sahib and rented a large industrial space that served as the temple. It was known by the Greeks as the "Indian Organization of Tavros, Athens", however the Punjabi characters on the temple board translate to "Sikh Temple Shri Guru Nanak Darbar, Athens". Following Athens' Sikh community, some other Sikh immigrants also made temples in Oinofita, Oropos, Kranidi and Thebes.

Religious freedom

The Sikhs are free to wear turbans except when riding motorcycles. They are free to wear the Five Ks except the kirpan in schools and public places.

Present

The number of Sikhs living in Greece is estimated to be around 20, 000. Their main centers are Athens, Megara, Chalkida and Psachna.

Attack on Sikh temples

The two gurdwaras in Marathon was attacked with Gunshots with no reported casualty. These are uttered as common by local Sikhs and is believed to be racially motivated crimes and been targeted by right wing and Neo nazi parties.^[1]

References

1. Retrieved from Gunshots Fired at Two Gurdwaras in Greece: sikh24.com

• Singh, Brij Pal (26 January 2010), A Sikh in Greece, SikhNet, retrieved July 2013