Jagraj Singh

Jagraj Singh Hundal (3 June 1979 – 20 July 2017), known as Bhai Jagraj Singh, was a British Army officer and Sikh preacher.[1][2]

Jagraj Singh
Born
Jagraj Singh Hundal

(1979-06-03)3 June 1979
London, United Kingdom
Died20 July 2017(2017-07-20) (aged 38)
Other namesBhai Jagraj Singh
Alma materUniversity of Oxford
Occupations
  • Sikh Preacher
  • British Army officer
Years active2012 - 2017
OrganizationBasics of Sikhi
Known forFounder of Basics of Sikhi
FamilySunny Hundal (brother)

He was the founder of Sikh organisations, Everything's 13, and the Sikh Press Association and YouTube channel Basics of Sikhi.[3][4]

Jagraj is considered as one of the most influential British Sikhs of the 21st century.[5][6]

Early life and education

Jagraj was born on 3 June 1979, and grew up and attended secondary school in Hounslow, London. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford.[7]

His elder brother is journalist Sunny Hundal.

Career
Everything's 13 logo

After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Singh was commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps before finding a job in the finance and recruitment sector.

Basics of Sikhi logo

In 2012, he founded Everything's 13,[8] a project to spread awareness of the Sikh faith both digitally and through the English language.[9] His most notable work was YouTube channel, Basics of Sikhi.[10][11] The channel he founded educated the general public about the basic tenets of the Sikh religion and raised awareness about its existence using parchaar (preaching).[12] In 2014, Singh founded the Sikh Press Association (SikhPA).[13][14]

In February 2017, Singh was awarded a Point of Light Award by UK Prime Minister Theresa May.[15] In the award letter, May wrote: "Your important work is doing much to positively engage both young Sikhs and the wider community with your faith. You are inspiring those of all faiths and none to make a difference with their lives".[16]

Family life and death

In December 2016, he was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable liver cancer[17][18] and died on 20 July 2017.[19][20]

He was survived by his wife and three children.[21]

Awards

References
  1. "'Young, Sikh and Proud': story of Jagraj Singh to air on BBC1 on 28th January | Barfi Culture". Barficulture.tv. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. "Young, Sikh and Proud on BBC1 – Everything you need to know". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  3. "Local BBC Radio – Faith in The World Week 2019 – Sukhmani Kaur's story". BBC. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. Mcneil, Daniel (13 April 2022). "Vaisakhi 2022 London: when is Hindu and Sikh festival, what date is it celebrated, and events near me". LondonWorld. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022.
  5. "January 2020 – Sikhi(sm): A Question of Identity? – University of Wolverhampton". www.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  6. "Young, Sikh and Proud (2020)". Archives for Education. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  7. "Bhai Jagraj Singh (BoS) | SikhNet". SikhNet. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  8. "Southall Gurdwara opens its doors for public screening of India's Daughter". Ealing Times. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  9. "Education on Sikhism Takes Focus in 'They Called Me Osama' Documentary". NBC News. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  10. "BBC Radio 2 launches Faith In The World Week". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  11. Samachar, Asia (1 June 2015). "Singapore Sikh camp with foreign talent". Asia Samachar. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  12. Jhutti-Johal, Jagbir; Singh, Hardeep (2019). Racialization, Islamophobia and Mistaken Identity: The Sikh Experience. Routledge Studies in Religion and Politics. Routledge. ISBN 9781351138840. It was through the efforts of grassroots organizations like the Basics of Sikhi (founded by the late Jagraj Singh) that the wider public were provided with an education on Sikhism through street dialogue or parchaar, which became widely disseminated via YouTube.
  13. "Sikhs to raise awareness of free communal kitchen concept in Milton Keynes". Milton Keynes Citizen. 26 September 2018.
  14. "Fancy a free lunch in Gravesend?". News Shopper. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  15. "Sikh Council UK offers congratulations to Jagraj Singh | Sikh Council UK". Sikhcouncil.co.uk. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  16. "Everything's 13". Points of Light. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  17. "BBC – Local BBC Radio – Faith in The World Week 2019 – Sukhmani Kaur's story". BBC. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  18. ""We are fighting…but I am ready" – Jagraj Singh gives speech to thousands | SikhPA". Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  19. Times, The Sunday. "What's on TV: Tuesday". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  20. "Basics of Sikhi's Bhai Jagraj Singh Passes Away Following Fight Against Cancer". Sikh24. 20 July 2017.
  21. ABPL. "Everythings 13: A Russian Sikh's attempt at Sikh education..." www.asian-voice.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
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