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By Prina Atwal

Religion

Prince George church and Gurdwara react to ban on indoor religious gatherings

Mar 30, 2021 | 4:20 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Effective March 30, a ban on religious gatherings has kicked in, following the governments decision last week to remove restrictions for religious gatherings.

And with Easter on April 4, this decision has caused both understanding disappointment.

“The music is very celebratory, people are really kind of happy to be there, we tend to bring flowers. . . there’s bright colours all over the place,” says Trinity Church, Lead Minister, Rev. Dr. Bob Fillier

But Fillier says the ban did not come as a surprise

“If you’re paying attention to what was being reported, and the news conferences, you knew rates were increasing, and more people were ending up in hospitals.”

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Fillier added that the ban caused him to have mixed emotions.

“It’s like we’re excited, it’s gonna be Easter, we all thought we might be able to be in person for Easter, and if it was that was gonna be a great thing, and yeah we can, at least in a limited number, to no we can’t.”

Individuals can still celebrate Easter by attending the Prince George, Trinity United Churches’ online service.

Vaisakhi follows closely behind Easter and takes place on April 13, it marks the start of the Punjabi new year, and also celebrates the year 1699, when the faith of Sikhism was born.

“So it goes back to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he went back in a tent, and he asked from the crowd if somebody was willing to give their life for their religion. So very five courageous and brave men came forward, and it was around that time that he baptized them,” says Komalpreet Guru, a member of the CNC students union.

Guru adds that this is a really important festival in Sikh history, and it brings positive energy.

“People go to temples, religious services are held, new clothes, great food, and people get together. . . the community temple in Prince George has a parade as well, where there is free food and the community gathers together to walk around the city .”

But this year Vaisakhi celebrations will not be looking the same and the largest Sikh parade will not take place, due to religious gatherings being banned.

And Guru says the ban is justified.

“I feel really sad about it, that we’re not able to get together and celebrate the most important festival that bound us. But at the same time it’s very important to follow what the government is saying. . . so the pandemic can end.”

The Sikh community can still celebrate Vaisakhi in the comfort of their home, with their family, by cooking good food, enjoying themselves and praying to god.

As of now, it’s unclear when restrictions will be lifted, and religious gatherings will be able to take place again.