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

Monday
,
8
January
2024

Is the Sikh religion called Sikhi or Sikhism? Does it matter?

"I think it matters because what is our indigenous term? And what is the term which those who were studying us in the last hundred years started calling us? Our native term is Sikhi..."

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Friday
,
5
January
2024

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Introduction

This video serves as an introduction to the series, offering a conversation between Harinder Singh, the Innovation Director, and Jasleen Kaur, a Research Associate.

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Tuesday
,
26
December
2023

What does “Sikh” mean?

When we look at the two meanings as they existed at the time (in Sanskrit and in Pali) and incorporate them into what we now call Sikhi, it actually means learners who are of the Guru. Guru is a mentor, Guru in Sikhi is Perfection.

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Tuesday
,
12
December
2023

Sikhi: Personal Practice & Public Responsibility

Join us for an inspiring talk on the profound connection between personal Sikhi practice and our collective responsibilities in today's world.

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Monday
,
4
December
2023

Why do Sikhs have unique customs and traditions?

As community development commenced with Guru Nanak, protocols were introduced to establish an organization, emphasizing the necessity for governance and unity within any community.

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Monday
,
27
November
2023

Mul Mantar

Embark on a transformative journey with Harinder Singh as he unravels the profound wisdom of Guru Nanak Sahib, exploring the Mul Mantar—the Innovation. Discover the attributes of IkOankar, the 1, and the concrete path to lasting security.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
6
December
2024

Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives

Harinder Singh explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi.

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Wednesday
,
12
June
2024

Sant Jarnail Singh: The Man, the Myth, the Truth

Listen as Santbir Singh delves into an in-depth conversation with Harinder Singh about Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a pivotal figure in 20th-century Sikh history.

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Thursday
,
23
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow of Research and Policy at the Sikh Research Institute, delves deeper into the themes of Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention.

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Thursday
,
2
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Join Harinder Singh and Mo Dhaliwal as they delve into the profound experiences of the Third Ghallughara (large-scale massacre) in India in 1984 and beyond.

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Wednesday
,
24
April
2024

Exploring the Sikh Genocide

The discussion aims to shed light on the systematic campaign of violence perpetrated by the Indian State against the Sikh community, which led to thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

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Wednesday
,
7
February
2024

Is Guru Nanak Sahib’s Prakash Purab in April or November?

The date of Guru Nanak Sahib's birth is immaterial. Our focus needs to be on the Infinite Wisdom; that’s Prakash Purab.

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Articles

Friday
,
14
January
2022

Dan: Sikhi, Nonprofits & Giving

As the world becomes more interconnected, we understand how some have an abundance of monetary wealth, and others do not, and the more we understand the various needs unaddressed in our backyards and abroad.

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Monday
,
22
November
2021

Sultan-ul Duniya Wal-Akhirat: Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

What is the Guru’s grandeur? Why was the Guru martyred? How did the two contemporary texts document the Guru’s narrative?

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Wednesday
,
21
July
2021

Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine

Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless...

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Sunday
,
14
March
2021

Nanakshahi: Calendar & ‘Era of Nanak the Sovereign’

For the Sikhs globally, 1 Cet 553 is the Nanakshahi new year’s day. Cet or Chet is the month. 553 is the Nanakshahi year. Do you know about Nanakshahi?

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Wednesday
,
10
February
2021

Baj: The Hawk and The Sikhs

This essay locates and contextualizes the hawk in foundational Sikh texts, history, and lifestyle. It also connects how Baj in Khalsa tradition affects the Sikh psyche when the people see it.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Harinder Singh
 is not presenting at any upcoming events as of yet. Explore our upcoming events.