25 RIDERS from Singhs Social Motorcycle Club (SSMC) Australia, a chapter of Singhs Motorcycle Club UAE (United Arab Emirates) rode from Sydney to Woolgoolga to raise awareness on abuse and domestic violence setting off after prayers at the Glenwood Temple on Saturday morning, 12 November.

The SSMC Ride Against Domestic Violence travelled with a message of universal brotherhood on the occasion of the 553rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh religion.

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This ride was the Club’s biggest ever, and in addition to NSW riders, members joined from South Australia and Victoria.

“We departed from Sydney on Saturday, at 8.45am and arrived at Coffs Harbour around 5pm,” Birinder Singh, spokesperson for SSMC told News Of The Area.

“On Sunday, 13 November we rode from Coffs to the First Sikh Temple in Woolgoolga.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh attended the Sikh Temple and chatted with the riders.

Around noon, the riders made their way to the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, also in Woolgoolga.

“Here, the Club’s founder Mavleen Singh addressed the congregation with our message of saying ‘No to Domestic Violence’.

“Our ride is also registered as an event with White Ribbon Australia in recognition of White Ribbon Day, on 18 November 2022.”

White Ribbon is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls.

Members from Bir Khalsa Group, who have appeared on Australia’s Got Talent, accompanied the riders from Sydney and put on a small live performance at the Temple grounds for the attendees.

During the afternoon four new members of the SSMC club had their vest ceremony where they were officially inducted into the club.

The SSMC Australia is a chapter of the International Social Motorcycle Club, renowned for promoting the ideology of Sikhism amongst the youth and other communities and by also being actively involved in philanthropy.

“We support both local and international causes, and ride and raise funds for natural calamities such as floods and bushfires and for saving the koala and feeding the homeless and to create awareness about the contributions of Sikh soldiers in ANZAC War, WWI, WWII and the Battle of Saragarhi,” said Birinder.

Commenting on the importance of the celebration of 553rd birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Woolgoolga businessman John Arkan told NOTA, “It is said that when Guru Nanak was born the ‘veil of ignorance was lifted and the light of knowledge seen’.

“Guru Nanak Dev Ji spoke of three important principles to be practised whilst living in this world: Naam jap remember god in all that you do; hold honesty as the centre pillar of all that you do, earn your living in an honest way; and share in all that is the essence of sharing, your knowledge, your food and be a helpful human being.

“Both Sikh temples in Woolgoolga celebrated by conducting a three-day recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji accompanied by Langar (sharing of food ) daily.”

By Andrea FERRARI