On Wednesday 13 April Dr Jagbir Jhutti-Johal (Senior Lecturer in Sikh Studies, Department of Theology and Religion) was invited by the Prime Minister to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate Vaisakhi.

Vaisakhi celebrates the founding of the Khalsa Sikh community and in the spirit of this celebration the Prime Minister spoke to the gathered guests about the significance of the British Sikh community and the positive contribution the Sikh community makes to modern Britain, which David Cameron believes is the ‘most successful, multi-racial, multi-ethnic democracy on earth’. Jagbir’s main research area is Contemporary Sikhism and along with influential publications such as Sikhism Today (Continuum Press: London) Jagbir’s work has resulted in her being appointed a Commissioner on The Woolf Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life: community, diversity and common good.

Jagbir has also recently given presentations at the Foreign Office. The invitation to Downing Street is just the most recent recognition of the invaluable work Jagbir is doing on the Sikh community.

Dr Jagbir Jhutti-Johal at 10 Downing Street