PESHAWAR – An ancient Sikh temple, Bhai Beba Singh Gurdwara, which remained non-functional for 70 years, was opened for worship at a special ceremony held in the newly renovated temple on Wednesday. Minorities expressed extreme jubilation over opening of the historic Gurdwara located at mohallah Jogiwara at Hashtnagri area in the interior city. Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Siddiqul Farooq formally performed opening of the temple by unveiling the plaque. Religious rituals including Ardas and recitation of Gurugarant, holy book of the Sikhs, were performed. Sikhs were excited over the opening of the revered place where their elders used to worship. Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Minority Affairs Sardar Suran Singh said that people should know that the minorities in Pakistan were living freely, going to their worship places freely and doing business in a very conducive manner. Member of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parband Committee (PSGPC) Sardar Bishan Singh said that opening of the gurdwara was a big favor of the government in general and people of Peshawar in particular. Speaking on the occasion, the chairman evacuee property trust board said that it was a day of happiness for the minority community that their closed temple was opened for worship. He said that he also had allotted a plot of 2000 yards at Hassan Abdal to Sikh community for using it as Shamshan Ghat. He said that the present government was striving to fulfill the dream of Quaid-e-Azam of making Pakistan a fully tolerant country by giving equal rights to minorities. He said that Islam had protected the rights of minorities and being a Muslim it was our religious responsibility to provide security and rights to minorities. He also appreciated the role of the Pakhtunkhwa government in opening of the gurdwara. He said, “We have to create an atmosphere of fraternity and brotherhood in our country.” The chairman also announced a donation of Rs 0.5 million for the gurdwara.