A Global Faith Trapped in a Local Identity: Rethinking Sikhi’s Future (Guest Editorial)

Sikhi is, by its very nature, a universalist spiritual tradition. Its scriptures speak in many languages; its founders travelled thousands of kilometres across continents; its message affirms that divine light pervades all beings without distinction of caste, nation, or culture. And yet, despite this expansive vision, Sikhi today remains predominantly confined to the Indo-Pakistani world and to Punjabi diasporic communities abroad. The paradox is striking: a religion built on global inclusivity appears limited in global reach. However, the problem does not lie in Sikh theology, which is among the most open, egalitarian, and interfaith-oriented in world religious thought, but in the historical conflation of Sikhi with Punjabi ethnic culture. Over time, this fusion has unintentionally narrowed the religion’s global accessibility. The result is that many non-Punjabi seekers admire Sikh principles yet hesitate to approach gurdwaras or engage deeply with the tradition, perceiving it as culturally bounded rather than universally welcoming.