Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

He co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, envisioned the Kaur and Singh Academy, and organized the Free Akal Takht campaign.

He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions. He has authored several books and numerous articles integrating the political and the spiritual. He consults on curriculums, exhibitions, and films and is featured in many documentaries on the Sikhs, the Panjab, and South Asian matters.

His current focus is on developing critical thinking for Sikh institutions via the State of the Panth report series and developing open-source decoding of Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary Panjabi and English for a global audience.

He has served on the National Conference on Community and Justice boards, The Fellowship of Activists to Embrace Humanity, The Nanakshahi Trust, among others. He looks for culturally-specific things to experience and a light roast pour-over coffee to sip during travels, reads and binge-watches to stay in touch with what the world is up to, and listens to sabads, poetry, Hir, jazz, and political rap.

Harinder Singh resides with his family in the United States.

Videos

Thursday
,
10
August
2017

Where do I go to learn about Sikhi?

SikhRi presents Part 4 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
August
2017

What is the goal of a Sikh?

SikhRi presents Part 3 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
August
2017

Why should I fear God?

SikhRi presents Part 2 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
August
2017

What is God to a Sikh?

SikhRi presents Part 1 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
21
March
2017

Panjabi Poets Saluting ‘Emperor-Prophet’

Discussed topics: • Context of 350th Prakash Purab (Illumination Day) Commemorations • Tribute to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, Nanak the Tenth Sovereign • Sikh, Hindu and Muslim Poets from Land of Five Rivers • Celebration to mark World Poetry Day on 21 Mar 2017 • Life, Legacy & Impact on Panjab, South Asia, and Globe About the Presenter: Harinder Singh is a widely respected educator and thinker who is deeply in love with 1Force, the Oneness that radiates in all. Mr. Singh co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, organized the Free Akal Takht movement, and envisioned Kaur and Singh Academy. He is an author and sought after public speaker, raising consciousness of audience around the world.

watch now ⟶
Saturday
,
24
September
2016

Harinder Singh - "Bhai Vir Singh: Vision & Leadership"

This presentation surveys details of Bhai Vir Singh’s life. It attempts to present Bhai Sahib’s life story, highlighting various aspects of his Sikh and Panjabi life. 

watch now ⟶

Podcasts

Tuesday
,
24
October
2023

Why does it seem that only men lead Sikh prayer services?

In Sikhi (commonly known as Sikhism), women's fundamental equality exists in both private and public spheres and within personal and corporate relationships. Women possess the freedom to lead in any capacity without predefined roles.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
10
October
2023

What is Nam Simran?

Nam Simran holds significant importance in Sikhi, extending far beyond mere identification with the Divine. ‘Nam’ goes beyond identification, and ‘Simran’ signifies remembrance.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
6
October
2023

Understanding Canada-India Disharmony in the Sikh-Panjab Context

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur discuss the larger context around the latest events in Canada. 

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
26
September
2023

Why do Sikhs recite the same daily prayers?

“…it really has nothing to do with whether it is less or more. It has everything to do with that these are the aspirations of the community. When we come together as a community, we do a minimum of these recitations.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
12
September
2023

What is the significance of hair for Sikhs?

"Hair in Sikhi is part of the protocol, as well as part of the tradition...You emulate the modalities you believe in of the ones you love." In this podcast series, we dive into the community's greatest questions asked by people like YOU.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
18
May
2023

Women & Gender in Sikhi

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Women & Gender in Sikhi from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

watch now ⟶

Articles

Sunday
,
22
January
2017

My Mind Pines for Guru’s Vision

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Majh. This rag (musical mode) evolved from the folk music of the Majha area of the Panjab. There is no reference to this rag in Indian music. It is only sung in Panjab and is in the Guru Granth Sahib.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
30
January
2017

Slowly and Gently Rains the Immortal Stream

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Majh. This rag (musical mode) evolved from the folk music of the Majha area of the Panjab. There is no reference to this rag in Indian music. It is only sung in Panjab and is in the Guru Granth Sahib.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
30
January
2017

Who Are Panjabis Voting for?

117 members for the Panjab Legislative Assembly will be elected in five days. Like it or not, the stark reality is that caste and religion play a big role throughout India, including Panjab. 

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
6
February
2017

Your Nam is the Merchandise and the Trade, Indeed!

Delve into the Sabad (Shabad) of Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag (raag) Gauri Bairagan, from the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Read the translation done by Harinder Singh and Inni Kaur.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Sunday
,
12
February
2017

O! People, if I Meet a Trader of the Charmer-Divine...

Explore the Sabad (Shabad) of Bhagat Ravidas in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Read the translation done by Harinder Singh and Inni Kaur. Listen to Inni Kaur’s reflection on this Sabad.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
14
February
2017

Love Amongst Loves?

I am sitting next to “Bhagvan” as I type this blog on Valentine’s Day. Bhagvan is someone glorious, illustrious, revered, venerable, divine, or holy.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶

Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jan 12

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Deakin University, Building LC

Join Harinder Singh as he discusses Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Medicine For Life.

Learn More ⟶