Historic Sikh Shrine in Iraq Faces Preservation Challenge

In a recent development, former Rajya Sabha member Tarlochan Singh has reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, concerning reports from Sikh pilgrims about the merging of a historic shrine dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev Ji with the courtyard of a Muslim saint’s tomb in Iraq.

According to Singh, who is also the former chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, this site has historical significance dating back to the early 16th century. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, stayed at this site in Baghdad, Iraq, during his journey back from Mecca, where he met with a Muslim saint.

For centuries, a plaque has marked this historic visit, and a gurudwara has been maintained at the site for 150 years. While the Iraqi government has permitted Sikhs to conduct religious ceremonies within the compound, recent reports indicate the shrine's structural integration into the saint's tomb courtyard, prompting calls for diplomatic intervention.