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

Wednesday
,
19
August
2020

Kapur Singh vs Jodh Singh

This clip is from our webinar "Raj Karega Khalsa: The Khalsa & The Rule" which discusses the clash between Kapur Singh and Jodh Singh. 

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Monday
,
10
August
2020

"Is Khalistan the same Raj we are talking about?"

Harinder Singh, “Those who are working on the Khalistan issue need to articulate the movement as to what it is...With a clear and unified understanding, the movement could offer more answers as a result.

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Thursday
,
23
July
2020

Miri Piri Day with Harinder Singh

What is Miri-Piri? Did it start with the Sixth Sovereign Guru Harigobind Sahib? Are the two “swords” necessary? Why is this so important in Sikhi? How can it be a lived reality in current times of divided allegiances?

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Thursday
,
4
June
2020

1984: The Devoted & The Worldly

1984 is considered the third Ghallughara in Sikh history. Why was Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib complex attacked? What’s the Sikh historical context? How must the memory be kept alive 36 years on?

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Tuesday
,
26
November
2019

Sikhi & Abortion – Gurmat Perspective

In the past few years, more and more US states placed restrictions on abortion practices and the issue has been dominating news headlines ever since.

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Monday
,
18
November
2019

#nanakshahi550 - What was Guru Nanak Sahib’s take on marriage?

What was Guru Nanak Sahib’s take on marriage?This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Podcasts

Tuesday
,
19
December
2017

Enticer Enticed My Mind

The Sabad opens with the Guru's profound declaration of being a "maiden-slave" of the Divine Ruler, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication.

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Tuesday
,
26
December
2017

Reflect on the Truth and the Contentment

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Tuesday
,
28
August
2018

Words of Faith - Ik Oankar

IkOankar (1Force, The One, Divine, Creator) is Guru Nanak Sahib’s offering to humanity, and the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Tuesday
,
28
August
2018

Words of Faith - Har

Did you know that "Har" is the most used word in Guru Granth Sahib?

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Tuesday
,
4
September
2018

Words of Faith - Nam

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib. Nam is Identity. Nam is the culture of Sikhs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O_rtTswxyM --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

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Tuesday
,
11
September
2018

Words of Faith - Guru

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib Is Guru perfection? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnx400HuVxU&t=25s --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

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Articles

Friday
,
14
April
2017

Nash Doctrine: Five Freedoms of Vaisakhi 1699

The initiation rites or ceremonies without a doctrine get reduced to mere meaningless rituals. Without the Nash doctrine, the Vaisakhi for the Sikhs can not be located as a transformative historical event.

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Monday
,
17
April
2017

That Husband-Beloved’s Love

Explore the Sabad (Shabad) of Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag (raag) Asa from 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. 

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Sunday
,
30
April
2017

Hari Singh ‘Nalua’

Hari Singh Nalua (popularly Nalwa) was the Commander-in-Chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army in the North West Frontier in the Kingdom of Panjab, ruled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

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Sunday
,
30
April
2017

Everywhere I Go, Bithal is Present

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

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Sunday
,
30
April
2017

Whatever is Asked From the Ruler, That’s What is Given

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Monday
,
8
May
2017

O! Divine! Glance at Me, Graciously Save Me

In the harmonious embrace of Dhanasari, a rag that resonates with happiness, Guru Arjan Sahib crafts a Sabad that delves into the profound aspects of spiritual realization and seeking divine refuge.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Fri
,
Jan 10

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Gurdwara Sahib Canberra

Join us for an Insightful Talk with an Educator and Thinker, Harinder Singh.

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Mon
,
Jan 6

Saltanat-i-Daham: Guru Gobind Singh Sahib

Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood

This talk will attempt to present the life and legacy of The Tenth Sultanate as described by Bhai Nand Lal 'Goya,' a court poet of the Guru.

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Wed
,
Jan 8

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Penrith Gurdwara

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

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