“For the Sikh community, John was much more than a political figure—he was a close friend and, in many ways, a member of our family,” said Ravi Parmar, NDP MLA from Langford-Highlands, in a Facebook post.
For that reason, the Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria (KDSV) will be hosting a memorial for John Horgan this weekend on Saturday, Dec. 14.
“His support and compassion transcended his official role; he was there for us during both our times of celebration and our times of sorrow. John’s deep respect for our culture and traditions, combined with his unwavering commitment to social justice and community, made him a beloved figure within the Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria.”
To honour Horgan's life, KDSV will host a Bog Shri Sheaj Paath, in his memory on Saturday, prior to the Provincial Memorial Service on Sunday. A Bog Shri Sheaj Paath is a ceremony that marks the completion of a non-continuous reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, traditionally after the death of a Sikh.
The event will be held at their Gurdwara (a place of assembly and worship in Sikhism) at 1210 Topaz Avenue. Attendees can arrive at 10:30 a.m. to enjoy chai and samosas, and hear community leaders speak on Horgan's contributions.
“The event will conclude with Langar (lunch service) where all are welcome to share a meal together, just as John would have wanted,” Parmar said.
