Suggested outline framework for Route A: Components 1 and 3

Sikhism

Eduqas GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES

GCSE

2

Suggested outline framework for Route A: Components 1 and 3

Sikhism

Component 1 comprises 50% of the GCSE qualification and Component 3 comprises 25%. Therefore the scheme of learning proposed below is intended only as a guide based on one hour per week. The recommendation is that the whole of the course is always taught. Assessment should be formative and engaging. Where possible, try and use the same or similar format to the final examination. Always share mark schemes with students. Ideally this should be towards the end of the unit so that they have first had time to assimilate and engage in the work. Moral Maze on Radio 4 is an excellent resource for those who are interested, as is The Infinite Monkey Cage (also on Radio 4). Both are available as podcasts, making it easier to select relevant episodes.

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Component 1: relationships, issues of life and death, issues of good and evil, issues of human rights

Lesson Area of study Specific content Concepts Resources

Possible learning activities

1 Theme 1: Relationships

Attitudes about the purpose of relationships; families; men and women; marriage outside Sikhism and cohabitation

Adultery; cohabitation; commitment; gender equality

Individual whiteboards; interactive whiteboards; online collaboration spaces http://www.sikhism101.com/women-in-sikh-society/; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/relationships/sikhloveandsexrev1.shtml; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-british-sikh-men-trying-to-stop-women-marrying-outside-their-religion-a6679001.html; http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jodylan-castle/interfaith-marriage_b_6208502.html; https://www.sikhs.org/khalsa.htm – points out that men and women are invited into the Khalsa

Debate on the role of men and women in modern society; read the articles from the Independent and the Huffington Post and compare them; brainstorm on the nature and variety of relationships

2 Relationships The nature and purpose of marriage

Commitment; responsibilities; roles

Focus on Guru Granth Sahib 788 – different versions are available online (e.g. http://www.sikhs.org/english/eg_index.htm) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stIDGEgjGxA; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1101661/Highlights-vibrant-Sikh-wedding-ceremony.html

Analyse the relevant parts of the passage and say why they are relevant; make notes on the video

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3 Relationships Adultery, divorce, annulment, separation and re-marriage

Adultery; divorce

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/relationships/simarriageanddivorcerev3.shtml; http://www.sikhanswers.com/modern-youth-issues/sikh-attitude-to-divorce/ – difficult but good for teachers and/or more able; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10226057/Sikh-woman-asks-court-not-to-annul-marriage-to-mentally-disabled-man.html – well worth a broader debate; http://www.gurunanakdarbar.net/sikhrehatmaryada.pdf (Rehat Maryada Chapter 11 Article 18)

Refer to Guru Granth Sahib 274; read chapter 11 and discuss; list the important aspects of chapter 11 and state why they are important

4 Relationships Arranged and assisted marriage in Britain

Commitment; roles

https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage – an interesting link to point out. Explain the context of the need for such a service; https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/forced-marriage-unit-statistics-2016 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/people-in-arranged-marriages-explain-what-it-is-like_uk_58d8e79de4b03787d35a0533?utm_hp_ref=uk-arranged-marriage http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/relationships/simarriageanddivorcerev1.shtml

Compare and contrast arranged marriage with a marriage for ‘love’; what is the difference between arranged and forced marriage?

5 Relationships – sexual relationships

The nature and purpose of sex; the use of contraception; same sex relationships

Contraception; gender equality

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/sanctity/sikhabortionrev2.shtml; http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?id=1250025034&subaction=showfull&ucat=7; Read and analyse the Lavan

Read Guru Granth Sahib 335 and comment on what you think it means

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6

Relationships – equality: gender prejudice and discrimination

Attitudes toward the roles of women and men in authority and differing views

Roles http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286499/?ref_=nv_sr_1 – watch the trailer and the film, if time permits, to discuss expectations of children in a Sikh family; also interesting in a race relations context (the reason why dad doesn’t want his daughter to play football is not a gender one); http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/prejudice/sikhismrev3.shtml; http://faithinfeminism.com/bold-honesty-on-sikh-culture-vs-religion/?doing_wp_cron=1508849566.9904689788818359375000 – difficult but worth it for the more able; http://www.wahegurunet.com/role-of-women-in-sikhism

See activity in resources section

7 Issues of life and death – the world

Beliefs and teachings about the creation of the universe

Soul Read Guru Granth Sahib 1; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0xkakGQXfo; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/sikhbeliefsrev1.shtml

Work through the activities and draw a mind map of what you have learnt

8 Issues of life and death – the world

Non-religious views on the creation of the universe

Afterlife, evolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuyYGVDCdN0 – Stephen Hawking’s Did God create the universe? Georges Lemaître – the Belgian cosmologist, mathematician and Catholic priest who worked on the big bang theory before it was called that. Two great photos to get students to comment on: http://blogs.futura-sciences.com/e-luminet/2016/03/13/cosmogenesis-1-from-myth-to-myth/ (the link is for the photo of a young Lemaître with Einstein but the site itself is interesting – a French astrophysicist come poet) http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/georges-lematre-2.jpg;

Watch the documentary and discuss the differences between this and the Sikh idea of the creation of the universe.

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9 Issues of life and death – the world

Beliefs and attitudes about the environment

Environmental sustainability; quality of life

https://humanism.org.uk/about/h4bw/; https://www.huffingtonpost.com/bandana-kaur/sikh-environment-day-the-ecological-roots-of-sikhism_b_2884402.html; ‘As described in the Guru Granth Sahib, the ecological basis of Sikh tradition rests in the understanding that the Creator (Qadir) and the Creation (Qudrat) are One.’ Explain, in your own words, why this is an important belief. (Words quoted from the article above) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/sikhstewardshiprev1.shtml Guru Granth Sahib 21, 1037

More able to work on Huffington Post article and researching key terms; compare and contrast the humanist and Sikh views

10 Issues of life and death – the origin and value of human life

Teachings and attitudes toward the origin of human life

Soul; sanctity of life; evolution

Guru Granth Sahib 441; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/sikhbeliefsrev1.shtml; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/19177976; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW1Lpa23mOw; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQp2lFcDEbw; Also consider the work of Alfred Russel Wallace

Compare and contrast Sikh attitudes with non-religious attitudes

11 Issues of life and death – the origin and value of human life

Sikh attitudes to abortion and euthanasia

Abortion; euthanasia; sanctity of life

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/sanctity/sikhabortionrev3.shtml; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/sanctity/sikheuthanasiarev2.shtml; Debate on abortion or euthanasia Euthanasia laws in Belgium are an interesting case in point: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/17/health/belgium-minor-euthanasia/index.html; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2440086/Belgian-transsexual-Nathan-Verhelst-44-elects-die-euthanasia-botched-sex-change-operation.html

To what extent do Sikhs observe the concept of ahimsa? Think of the Five Ks in this context

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12 Issues of life and death – the origin and value of human life

Non-religious views on animal and human life

Sanctity of life; quality of life

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/rights/speciesism.shtml; https://www.dignityindying.org.uk

How do non-religious views differ to Sikh views? Research whether Sikhs are vegetarian or not.

13 Issues of life and death – death and the afterlife

Beliefs about death and the afterlife

Afterlife; euthanasia; soul

Research key terms: samsara, reincarnation/transmigration, mukti Guru Granth Sahib 13; https://humanism.org.uk/ceremonies/non-religious-funerals/; https://www.funeralzone.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/religious-funerals/sikh-funerals

Invite a Sikh to speak along with a humanist about their views on the afterlife

14 Issues of good and evil – crime and punishment

What makes an act ‘wrong’? Religious and ethical responses

Good/evil; free will; sin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/sigoodandevilrev2.shtml; https://sikhismfacts.weebly.com/good-and-evil.html; http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/06/asia/sikh-hate-crimes-us-muslims/index.html; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/sikhbeliefrev2.shtml Key concepts: karma, mukti, ahimsa – how are these three terms linked? Guru Granth Sahib 1, 1241

What is ‘wrong’? Debate: What is a hate crime?

15 Issues of good and evil – crime and punishment

Causes of crime and the aims of punishment

Forgiveness; justice; sin; suffering

Key terms to debate and discuss: justice, retribution, deterrence and reformation – it is essential to engage in discussions about topics like this as it enhances understanding of the issues https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z66ncdm/revision/3

Research and define the concepts listed; apply them to Sikh teachings

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16 Issues of good and evil – crime and punishment

Treatment of criminals; prison reformers and chaplains; the death penalty

Good/evil; free will; morality; punishment

https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z66ncdm/revision/3; http://hmpbirmingham.co.uk/about/about-haw/about-haw-ch/; https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/2226; https://www.sikh24.com/2012/04/04/critics-misunderstand-sikh-death-penalty-campaign/#.We9gPK2ZM1g – thoughtful; http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/25/us/wisconsin-sikh-temple-family-shooting-charleston/index.html; https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z66ncdm/revision/4

Debate the death penalty; write a letter to your local MP arguing for/against from a Sikh point of view

17 Issues of good and evil – forgiveness

Teachings about forgiveness; examples of forgiveness from personal beliefs

Forgiveness Guru Granth Sahib 866; http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/25/us/wisconsin-sikh-temple-family-shooting-charleston/index.html; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/08/sikh-forgiveness-oak-creek-vigil

Refer to work from previous lessons and consolidate; then do a case study of the shooting in Wisconsin from a Sikh perspective

18 Issues of good and evil – good, evil and suffering

Philosophical perspectives; links between karma and mukti

Good/evil; free will; suffering

http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1250025675&ucat=5; Guru Granth Sahib 1342; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/sigoodandevilrev2.shtml; https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/problem-evil – what is free will?

Make notes on the five evils; make links in a poster (in groups) between karma and suffering; refer to Guru Granth Sahib

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19 Issues of human rights – human rights and social justice

The dignity of human life; relationship between God and humans

Human rights; personal conviction

Guru Granth Sahib 1; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlrSYbCbHE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh3BbLk5UIQ; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/prejudice/sikhismrev2.shtml https://www.sikhs.org/khalsa.htm https://www.khalsaaid.org

What are human rights? How do Sikh views compare to the UN Declaration? Do we take them for granted?

20 Issues of human rights – human rights and social justice

Personal conviction and the laws of the country; censorship, freedom of expression and religious extremism

Censorship; discrimination; personal conviction; prejudice; social justice

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7083315.stm https://americanhumanist.org/paths/sikhism/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8506074.stm; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/man-gives-perfect-response-to-those-who-cant-tell-the-difference-between-sikhs-and-muslims-a6777041.html; https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/sukhwant-dhaliwal/resurgent-sikh-fundamentalism-in-uk-time-to-act

Is such a small religion a threat through extremism? Should you be allowed to wear a dagger? Review Wisconsin incident in light of discrimination

21 Issues of human rights – prejudice and discrimination

Teachings and attitudes towards prejudice and discrimination

Prejudice; discrimination

Guru Granth Sahib 349; Formation of the Khalsa; https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zss3d2p/revision/6; Why did Guru Gobind Singh form the Khalsa? http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/gobindsingh.shtml; https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/formation-khalsa

This is a good chance for a case study based on prior learning

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22 Issues of human rights – issues of wealth and poverty

The acquisition of wealth; Khalsa Aid

Relative and absolute poverty; social justice

https://fullfact.org/economy/poverty-uk-guide-facts-and-figures/; http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/social-justice-activities-students.shtml; Guru Granth Sahib 1, 42, 1246; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/poverty/sikhconcernrev1.shtml; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/prejudice/sikhismrev4.shtml; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31557192; https://www.khalsaaid.org

Explain relative and absolute poverty and social justice; try some of the activities on the social justice link; contact Khalsa Aid and ask them to send a speaker or use a video link

23 Assessment

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Component 3: Study of a World Faith – Sikhism

NB: There will be resources from Component 1 Sikhism that could be of use in Component 3

Beliefs and teachings

1 The nature of God

Beliefs and teachings about God; God as creator

Mool Mantra Guru Granth Sahib 1; Guru Granth Sahib 294; Guru Granth Sahib 921; https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/alien-abduction-sikhism; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/sikhismrev2.shtml; http://sikhcounciluk.org– good website for the whole course; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/history/britishsikhism.shtml – introduction for Sikhism in Britain; https://basicsikhism101.weebly.com/what-is-the-sikh-concept-of-god.html

Discuss these passages; create a mind map of important Sikh beliefs; what do you think of Sikh beliefs? Why?

2 The oneness of humanity

Beliefs and teachings about equality

Sangat Guru Granth Sahib 349; Resources from Component 1 may be of use here e.g. lesson 6 on gender equality; http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php%3Fsubaction=showfull&id=1248311402&ucat=7; https://www.sikhs.org/art4.htm – thoughtful and with some interesting claims worth debating; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/prejudice/sikhismrev4.shtml; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRwQ7n9431s – 15 minutes and needs to be used in context but very interesting; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60fQ-DVHq9I; http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/how-free-hot-lunch-birmingham-12640683

Debate article from Sikhs.org; prepare a menu for a langar meal; write to a friend explaining the importance of the langar meal; try and find equivalents in other faiths

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3 The oneness of humanity

Service to others: Daswandh

Sewa http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/poverty/sikhconcernrev2.shtml; http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak3.html – life of Guru Amar Das and his appointment of women as preachers; includes a good paragraph on the langar

Why was the appointment of three women as preachers so important? Why is Daswandh so important? Try and find examples from other religions

4 Gurmukh (God-centred)

Importance of being God-centred; elimination of haumai

Sewa Guru Granth Sahib 125, 1054–55; ‘The gurmukh knows that the Lord is the Architect of karma’; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/poverty/sikhconcernrev1.shtml; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8o-XVqgnZI; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/beliefs/beliefs.shtml; https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zffbwmn/revision/4 – gurmukh as opposed to manmukh; Guru Granth Sahib 226, 538, 466

How does haumai get in the way of being gurmukh? Make notes from the BBC page and the video

5 The sangat Role of the sangat

Sangat Guru Granth Sahib 72, 1098; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JavKCE2FAf0; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/worship.shtml

Watch the video and take notes; explain why the sangat plays an important role in the spiritual progress of an individual

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6 The sangat Guru Arjan; sewa; Nihangs; Khalsa

Sangat Guru Arjan – Guru Granth Sahib 266; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/arjandev.shtml – good listening resource at bottom of page; Key terms: sewa (selfless service), Nihangs, Khalsa http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/poverty/sikhconcernrev1.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z9rpsbk; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2059058/Nidar-Singh-Nihang-Last-master-Sikh-martial-art-Shastar-Vidiya-lives-Wolverhampton.html – interesting with a good outline of Sikhism; https://www.khalsaaid.org https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/formation-khalsa; https://www.sikhs.org/khalsa.htm

Split into groups and work on the three key terms as well as the importance of Guru Arjan; present your findings to the class; martyrdom

7 The afterlife Karma and rebirth; mukti

Mukti Guru Granth Sahib 2, 78; https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/life-after-death; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/beliefs/beliefs.shtml https://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikh-american-story-about-my-grandfather – the ‘kids and youth’ tab has a Q&A section that could be good for research for the teacher; http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/07/25/not-many-people-know-about-sikhs-spotlight-australias-growing-community – a good, interesting article; http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/sikhbeliefrev2.shtml; https://thereel.scroll.in/827947/people-check-into-mukti-bhawan-to-die-director-shubhashish-bhutiani-sums-up-his-debut – an interesting perspective

Link karma, rebirth and mukti

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Practices:

1 The gurdwara in Britain and elsewhere

The gurdwara; Bhatra and Ramgharia gurdwaras

Gurdwara https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/holy-cribs-gurdwara; https://www.thoughtco.com/the-sikh-gurdwara-illustrated-2993093; http://www.sikhgurdwaracardiff.com/index.php; http://www.rstuk.com/sikh-history/ http://www.bhatra.co.uk/manage/html/gallery.html; http://www.sikhsanjog.com/within-sikhism/;

Visit a local gurdwara or ask a local Sikh to come and speak; research the differences between Bhatra and Ramgharia

2 The gurdwara in Britain and elsewhere

Gurdwara; sewa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5SUDyoZIA0 – sewa/langar; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxDfP0x0ziw https://www.bradfordgurdwara.com/about-the-gurdwara/layout-of-the-gurdwara/ https://basicsikhism101.weebly.com/where-sikhs-worship-and-the-gurdwara.html The resources for these first two lessons can be used in both lessons

Revise langar and sewa as practices and concepts; refer to earlier learning

3 Worship Prayer in the home; meditation; Akand Path

Mool Mantra https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/alien-abduction-sikhism – reinforce prior learning; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/worship.shtml; https://www.thoughtco.com/sikhism-worship-resources-for-daily-devotions-2993013 https://basicsikhism101.weebly.com/how-do-sikhs-worship.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/worship.shtml; https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zgrkxnb/revision/4; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/gurpurbs.shtml; https://basicsikhism101.weebly.com/what-is-the-sikh-cocept-of-god.html

Why do Sikhs meditate? Try and do some meditation yourself; what is different about meditation in Sikh culture from that we might know of in the UK?

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4 Ceremonies Birth and naming ceremonies

Sangat https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/sikh-naming-ceremony-naam-karan; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/babyrites.shtml; Singh – lion Kaur – princess http://realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1248311895&ucat=7;

What’s in a name?

5 Ceremonies Amrit Sanskar; Khalsa; Five Ks

Amrit Sanskar Bhai Gurdas Var 3. 11; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/amrit.shtml; https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/five-ks-sikhism https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/formation-khalsa; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism/Sects-and-other-groups#ref884195 https://basicsikhism101.weebly.com/sikh-clothing.html; https://basicsikhism101.weebly.com/the-5-ks.html

Assess the importance of the Khalsa and say why there are those who might think differently; draw and label the Five Ks

6 Amritsar Importance of Amritsar and the Golden Temple

Gurdwara See links in lesson 2 above; http://www.goldentempleamritsar.org; https://sacredsites.com/asia/india/golden_temple_amritsar.html; Remember alternative name: Harmander Sahib; https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/amritsar/attractions/golden-temple/a/poi-sig/1150764/356445; https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z3b42hv/revision

Read the Lonely Planet guide and write your own travel review

7 Festivals Practices in Britain and elsewhere

Gurpurbs http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/gurpurbs.shtml; http://www.religionfacts.com/sikhism/holidays; http://www.reonline.org.uk/specials/ks4_sikhism/melas.php; See lesson 6 above for information on Guru Arjan; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/teghbahadur.shtml

Reinforce prior learning on importance of martyrdom; why are festivals important?

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8 Festivals Vaisakhi; Divali Vaisakhi http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/vaisakhi.shtml; http://metro.co.uk/2017/04/13/vaisakhi-2017-what-is-it-and-why-do-sikhs-celebrate-it-6569265/; http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/what-date-vaisakhi-2017-birmingham-12839573; http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/diwali.shtml; http://metro.co.uk/2017/10/18/why-do-sikhs-celebrate-diwali-they-are-actually-celebrating-bandi-chhorh-divas-7008775/ https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/when-is-diwali-2017-uk-date-plus-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-hindu-festival-of-light-a3661821.html

A case study of one of these festivals

9 Assessment