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
,
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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Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - Why did Guru Nanak Sahib introduce IkOankar?

Guru Nanak Sahib's introduction of IkOankar is discussed.This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - How would Guru Nanak Sahib respond in today’s Social Media?

Social media plays a heavy role in the world we live in today, it's interesting to think about what Guru Nanak Sahib's perspective on it would be.This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Podcasts

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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Tuesday
,
18
September
2018

Words of Faith - Sabad

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib Sabad is vast. It is infinite wisdom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrdpd9FRRug --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

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Tuesday
,
23
October
2018

State of the Panth Report: Gurduara

What’s the relationship between the Gurduara governance and the local sangat worldwide? We traced Gurduara’s history throughout the ages and surveyed the opinions of 1,172 self-identified Sikhs from 22 countries.

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Wednesday
,
6
November
2019

What would Guru Nanak Sahib do in 1984?

What would Guru Nanak Sahib do in 1984? Listen to this discussion between Harinder Singh and the Sikh Cast host, Manpreet Singh.

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Friday
,
14
February
2020

Love in Sikhi

Harinder Singh talks about Valentine's Day, the concept of Love in Sikhi, Martyrdom, the Lovers of Panjab and more.

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Articles

Friday
,
30
June
2017

Brimful Immortal Nectar is Within the Home

In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

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Sunday
,
2
July
2017

Surrender Mind and Body, Forsake Societal Norms

In the vibrant rhythm of rag Suhi, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad emanates profound love and devotion, evoking a sense of reverential adoration.

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Monday
,
10
July
2017

O! Ignorant. Wake up! Why Are You Asleep?

Bhagat Ravidas's Sabad captures the essence of deep love, devotion, and reverential adoration in the resonance of Rag Suhi.

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Wednesday
,
19
July
2017

That Protector Protected. All Ailments Eradicated.

In the vibrant melody of Rag Bilaval, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad resonates with themes of divine protection, grace, and spiritual sustenance. Bilaval, known for its uplifting mood, provides a fitting backdrop for this expression of profound faith and...

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Wednesday
,
26
July
2017

I Surrender to My Own Guru

In the melodic embrace of Jaitsari rag, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds with poignant sincerity, echoing the heartfelt sentiment of dependence and longing.

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Monday
,
31
July
2017

How to Develop a Sikh Response

Who can curate a Sikh response? Why is a framework necessary? What is Gurmat? How do Bani, Tvarikh, and Rahit consitute Gurmat? Which sources can be classified as primary and secondary?

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Jul 12

Vanjara: From Worldly Trader to Spiritual Seeker

Khalsa School, Glen Rock Gurudwara

This presentation explores Guru Ramdas Sahib’s Vanjara, situating it within its cultural framework and lived experience. We will reflect on the composition's foundational themes and their relevance to our daily...

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Fri
,
Jul 18

Rediscovering Sikh Literature: Unearthed Wisdom

KPU Surrey; Cedar Conference Centre

Join Harinder Singh as we refamiliarize ourselves with historical texts, including primary and secondary texts that shape our understanding of Sikh thought and tradition.

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Sun
,
Jul 20

Sidak 2025

Khalsa Centre

Sidak is a transformative educational experience designed for young Sikh adults aged 18 to 39. It brings together seekers from all over the world to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.

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