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
,
28
January
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

This video presents a rich and reflective book conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, authored by Harinder Singh, marking the 350th anniversary of the Gurgaddi (Coronation) of the Tenth Guru.

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Wednesday
,
21
January
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

This video features a deeply reflective book conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, authored by Harinder Singh, marking the 350th anniversary of the Gurgaddi (Coronation) of the Tenth Guru.

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Wednesday
,
24
December
2025

The Real Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

At a SikhRI fundraising gathering in British Columbia, Harinder Singh delivered a talk commemorating the 350th Shahidi Purab of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, reflecting on the theme Wisdom, Courage, and Sovereignty.

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Tuesday
,
9
December
2025

Sikh Resilience & Remembrance in December

In this special BBC Radio London segment, host Shay Grewal speaks with Harinder Singh about why the month of December holds deep significance for Sikhs around the world.

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Monday
,
10
November
2025

What is the Sikh perspective of other faiths/religions?

In Sikhi, connecting with the Divine is a personal journey. You may belong to a different faith or none at all, but what matters is how that inner connection shapes your public life through equality, dignity, and love for all.

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Monday
,
20
October
2025

What is the Sikh stance on idol worship?

Idol worship is practiced in many traditions around the world. In Sikhi, however, the Divine is infinite and cannot be confined to any shape or form.

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Podcasts

Monday
,
9
October
2017

I am Nothing, I have Nothing, Nothing is Mine

The Sabad opens with a poignant tale of selflessness, where one assumes the role of a disguiser to protect the honor of the king's daughter. Despite harboring lustful and selfish desires, the individual's act preserves honor, highlighting the...

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Monday
,
30
October
2017

"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

The imagery of "Be-gam-pura" conveys a city free from grief, fear, and oppression—a place of eternal sovereignty and stability. This vision is not of a distant afterlife but a present reality available through inner realization.

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Monday
,
6
November
2017

"First, Allah created Light. All beings are of Creation”

First, Allah1 created Light. All beings are of Creation.The entire universe was created from One Light—Who’s good, who’s bad? 1. O! People, O! Brother,doubt not, forget not.Creator, Creation,Creator within Creation,totally permeating all spaces. 1. Reflect Creator created many forms from one clay.Flawless is the clay pot, flawless is the Potter. 2. Within all is the same Eternal One.All things occur because of the One.Call that person the Banda,2who recognizes Hukam3 and knows the One. 3. Allah is imperceptible, cannot be perceived,Guru granted sweet jaggery-perception.Kabir says: My doubt destroyed,seeing Immaculate everywhere. 4. Bhagat Kabir ji in Rag Prabhati | Guru Granth Sahib 1349 1. The God in Arabic.2. Divines’ Own being.3. Literally, Order or Divine Will. Sikhi: To be in harmony with the Divine. ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ ॥ ਅਵਲਿ ਅਲਹ ਨੂਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ਏਕ ਨੂਰ ਤੇ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਕਉਨ ਭਲੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਦੇ ॥੧॥ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਮਾਟੀ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸਾਜਨਹਾਰੈ ॥ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਮਾਟੀ ਕੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਕੁੰਭਾਰੈ ॥੨॥ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਸਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ਸੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ਬੰਦਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥ਅਲਹੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗੁੜੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੰਕਾ ਨਾਸੀ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਡੀਠਾ ॥੪॥੩॥

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Tuesday
,
12
December
2017

Sikh Cast Ep63 - "Ignorance-era is the carafe”

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
,
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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Articles

Tuesday
,
24
November
2015

Top Ten Truths About Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s life and legacy are unparalleled in the annals of world history. The Guru proclaimed: “Be very clear in your mind; the insightful person is the one who doesn’t fear anyone nor frightens anyone.”

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Thursday
,
14
April
2016

How Sikhs Can Free Akal Takht

Every Sikh has the right to raise questions about the process that led to the recent Sarbat Khalsa. It lacked transparency or an open discussion about the Jathedar qualifications. But this is simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems that...

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Tuesday
,
1
November
2016

My Vote for Next US President

On November 8, Americans will elect either the corruption-laden, policy-driven first female President or the sexual-assaulter, power-driven forty-fifth male President.

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Friday
,
11
November
2016

Sarbat Khalsa in Exile?

Panjab Kaur can’t decide what to consume to satisfy her sweet-tooth. Beaver Tails from Ottawa, where she was born, or Phirni (kind of rice pudding) from Panjab, her ancestral homeland? It’s a metaphor for this Sikh woman’s identity and also for a...

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

You & I, I & You; What’s the Difference?

This composition by Bhagat Ravidas is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative.

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

My Sovereign is Dyed in Color-Love

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. The reflection: The Creator is in the creation. Everything is brimming with love, operating in love.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

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