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

Saturday
,
1
November
2014

1984 – Re-evaluating Justice

Everyone is talking about 1984. In this video, Harinder Singh (CEO and Co-Founder of SikhRI) is talking about Justice - Build upon what was 1984 was about in terms of justice.

watch now ⟶
Wednesday
,
15
October
2014

Liv - Remembering Sukha and Jinda

Remembering Sukhdev Singh Sukha and Harjinder Singh Jinda Honoring their sacrifices.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
12
June
2014

Vancouver Candlelight Vigil

Harinder Singh speaks in Vancouver about June 1984. The past, present and what we can do in the future.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
3
June
2014

Applying Sikhi in Everyday Living

How to take the basic Sikh teachings and live them on a daily basis. Focusing on the teachings of the Guru's rather than interpretations of Sikhi from other individuals.

watch now ⟶

Podcasts

Friday
,
30
October
2020

The Guru Granth Sahib Project — Live Webinar

Our panel discusses the newly launched Guru Granth Sahib Project. The Project states that, although there are Gurbani translations available in Panjabi text belonging to the early twentieth century by many celebrated Sikh giants, and some in English from recent times, there is a need for a fresh perspective for contemporary audiences. The project aims to make the Guru Granth Sahib accessible to English speakers globally via technology. Our lead Researchers discuss the challenges in creating this work, their transcreation process, and how these translations may differ from others.

watch now ⟶
Wednesday
,
11
January
2017

“Emperor-Prophet” - The Real Guru Gobind Singh Ji

The Panjab Digital Library was selected to develop an exhibition for the 350-year celebration of Guru Gobind Singh by the government of Bihar.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
11
September
2017

Nothing Comes, Nothing Goes

The Sabad begins with a profound declaration— the body itself is a manifestation of the divine, a temple, and a wandering pilgrim. This poetic imagery invites reflection on the sacred nature of the physical form, transforming it into a vessel for...

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
12
June
2017

I Cannot Live Without All-Pervasive For Even a Moment or an Instant

In the melodic embrace of Rag Asavar, Guru Ramdas Sahib's bestowed Sabad resonates, capturing the transitional hues from late afternoon to early evening.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
24
April
2017

Everywhere I Go, Bithal is Present

Listen to Harinder Singh’s reflection on Bhagat Namdev’s evolution from deity worship to seeing Divinity pervading everywhere.

watch now ⟶
Wednesday
,
15
March
2017

Day and Night I Ask for Nam Within

This Sabad by Guru Ramdas Sahib within Rag Sorath encompasses a tapestry of emotions: seriousness, love, separation, longing, and detachment. Traditionally performed, it encapsulates a spectrum of human experiences.

watch now ⟶

Articles

Wednesday
,
24
August
2011

Faith as an Engine of Criminal Justice Reform

With all attention currently on the debt ceiling in the US, the faith community is calling on leadership to save money through addressing the wasteful costs of incarcerating 2.3 million Americans.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
9
November
2020

Allama Iqbal and The Sikhs

Understanding Dr. Iqbal’s perspectives on Guru Nanak Sahib and the Khalsa, his interactions with Sirdar Kapur Singh and his favorite compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
29
May
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib: The Sovereign-Martyr

Guru Arjan Sahib was martyred as per the orders of Emperor Jahangir on 30 May 1606.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Friday
,
16
June
2017

June 1984 Ghallughara

The June 1984 army action on the Golden Temple complex – Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib – was a tipping point in the Sikh and Indian history 33 years ago.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Wednesday
,
9
September
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sexuality is a confusing and often avoided topic. It is generally relegated to being a "private" matter, and therefore not openly discussed or engaged with, even within close circles and small communities.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Thursday
,
7
November
2019

Sikhi & Abortion

Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate.

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 ⟶