ABBOTSFORD IN ACTION / November 2013
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so too does the temple blend a square-edged
Ground was broken in 2013 on a new Hindu temple by the Fraser Valley Hindu Cultural Society and construction is now underway.
Western architectural style with an interior that meets the needs of devotees. There is a prayer hall, a holy room for scriptures, and a communal dining room, a popular gathering place. Helping to make Abbotsford feel like home to newcomer Sikhs is the Khalsa Diwan Society. Since 1906, the society has brought members of the community together. It is the first and oldest surviving religious society in North America. Drawn by the rich culture sprouting from those first intrepid Sikh migrants, South
Visible minorities Visible minorities make up 26 per cent of Abbotsford’s population. Seventeen per cent of residents are Sikh – the highest proportion in Canada. After English, Punjabi is the language most commonly spoken at home. A full 17 per cent of residents use it with their families.
Asians representing different countries and cultures continue to choose Abbotsford as their home. International immigrants are the biggest source of newcomers to the city, half of whom are from India. There are now Sikh, Buddhist, and Hindu temples. A new Hindu temple by the Fraser Valley Hindu Cultural Society is under construction. The Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley, opened in 2006, and conducts economic and social research to promote co-operation and trade
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A participant in the Nagar Kirtan procession in Abbotsford twirls a Chakar, used in a form of martial arts. The annual JOHN MORROW PHOTO fall Sikh event includes the singing of traditional hymns and the viewing of the holy scriptures.
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Built between 1908 and 1911, the Gur Sikh Temple has become the oldest surviving Sikh temple in Canada. It was designated a National Historic Site in 2002.
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ATTRACTING PATRONS FROM THROUGHOUT THE FRASER VALLEY,
Historic Downtown Abbotsford is a pedestrian-friendly people place; a thriving neighbourhood alive with unique shops ranging from vintage malls, sporting goods, clothing stores, crafts of all kinds, salons, spas and gyms. Food! You won’t find a more diverse selection of eateries as Downtown Abbotsford boasts; wine, tea and coffee shops, 50’s diners, bakeries, delis, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and the best “just like mom made it” you’ll ever taste; you name it, you’ll find it, in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. Historic Downtown Abbotsford with its cobblestone sidewalks is a clean, picturesque and engaging residential and shopping district that is the preferred location for retail, professional and service businesses. Our downtown is a source of community pride and a desired destination for residents and visitors.
www.downtownabbotsford.com
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