Langar on Campus 2022

UOB Sikh Society, with support from the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, is hosting "Langar on Campus 2022" on Thursday 3rd February 2022 from 11 am-3 pm. The event will take place in a marquee near 'Old Joe' where there will be free vegetarian and vegan food available for everyone. 

Langar is always run by volunteers, serving all people, without distinction of gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, or religious beliefs, sustained through donations alone. The meal is freshly prepared locally in Handsworth, with a typical Langar consisting of a lentil soup, a vegetable curry and chapatis (flatbread).

What is Guru Ka Langar?

The Langar, or 'free community kitchen', is a vital concept of the Sikh faith, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of Sikhism, around 1481. The celebration aims to uphold the principle of equality between all people, eliminate extreme global poverty, and bring about the birth of "caring communities". 

The event aims to create a unique sense of unity between the students of different backgrounds and introduce them to traditions that may be unknown to them. It helps promote interfaith understanding and builds a unique bond that can only form when sharing a meal. 

The first Langar event organised by a Sikh society took place at the University of Birmingham in 2004, winning the best student event of the year. Since then, many Universities have taken on the idea, with over 15 educational institutions around the UK hosting Langar events, with Birmingham celebrating the 16th iteration of the event.