Gurdwara welcome for first minister

The Holyrood man met with community leaders at Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib, as well as visiting the 300 pupils learning the language at the Panjabi school.

The FM then rolled up his sleeves and took part in the langar — a free community kitchen serving up to 2,000 meals a week.

Mr Salmond’s visit fell on the 30th anniversary of the 1984 battle of Amritsar, and young Sikh leaders talked about their campaign to uncover the scale of the Golden Temple disaster — a parliamentary debate will now be held on June 10 to mark it.

Speaking about the purpose-built Pollokshields building — which recently celebrated its first anniversary — the first minister said: “This gurdwara is more than a building, it is the beating heart of the Sikh community which is rightly situated in the very centre of multicultural Scotland.

“As well as a safe space to worship, the building hosts a community kitchen run entirely by volunteers serving langar — a founding principle of Sikhism and an integral part of any gurdwara.

“It is a truly special space that everyone in Scotland should be proud of.”

President Surinder Singh commented: “As a charitable organisation, we rely on our members to support the gurdwara and its services.

“The doors are open to everyone at all times and we welcome the whole Scottish community to attend and share in our great religious and cultural heritage.”