Gurudwara Sahib Guru Ram Das, Banting, Selangor

Around the 1920s, there was a small community of Sikhs in the Banting area. Most of them were employed in the Police Force while others were dairy farmers. To serve their religious needs, these Sikhs and their families used to travel to the nearest Gurdwara Sahib in the town of Klang, which was about 20 miles away (approximately 33 kilometres). Giani Malkeet Singh, Village Bhai ki Samadh (near Moga) has been residing in the town of Banting for more than 20 years and has been keeping the Sikh Holy Book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, in his home. He has been holding Satsang prayer sessions on Friday evenings in his home. Giani Ji has also been doing kirtan in the homes of the Sikh families in Banting when called upon to do. In October 2002, the Sikh sangat of Banting had a meeting at which they decided to establish a Gurdwara Sahib in Banting. Giani Malkeet Singh was appointed the President of the Building Fund Committee. The sangat of Banting rented a single storey bungalow in May 2003 at RM500.00 a month for a period of one year. This bungalow was renovated and converted for use as a Gurdwara Sahib. This Gurdwara was officially declared open by the Panj Piyarae on 29' June 2003. The Building Fund Committee is in the process of raising donations to acquire this building, which is expected to cost approximately RM300,000.00. There are presently about 20 Sikh families residing in and around the Banting town area. Banting is only a 20-minute drive to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang and thus has great potential for future progress and Development. As such, more Sikh families are expected to move into this area in the years to come. Religious programmes are being held in this Gurdwara Sahib, as and when necessary, at the request of the Sikh sangat of Banting. Courtesy: Sikh Gurudwaras in Malaysia&Singapore Saran Singh Sidhu AMN,PNM,FRNS