Muslim man says volunteering at Reginas Sikh temple feels like home

Saskatchewan·Creator Network VideoComing to a new country is tough. One international student from India says he’s found comfort while volunteering at the Sikh temple in Regina. Ramjan Khan is Muslim, not Sikh. He says that doesn’t matter at the temple because anyone is accepted there with open arms. Khan is profiled in a new mini-doc from Tejasvijay Singh, for the CBC Creator Network.Ramjan Khan says the Sikh temple welcomes all people, including newcomers who are struggling or homesickAnna-May Zeviar · CBC News · Posted: Nov 05, 2025 6:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 6 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesRamjan Khan stands outside the Regina Sikh temple. He says being here makes him feel like he’s at home. (Submitted by Tejasvijay Singh)CBC Saskatchewan’s Creator Network is a place where young digital storytellers from diverse backgrounds can produce original video content for CBC Platforms and tell stories through their own lens. Get in touch or pitch your own story here.Ramjan Khan says going to the Sikh Temple in Regina brings a flood of memories.He grew up in Punjab, India, and being at the temple reminds him of spending time with his mother back home.“We used to go for a morning walk, actually. And we used to stop by the Gurdwara Sahib that we have in town,” Khan said.The Gurdwara Sahib is a special place where Sikh people gather to worship. It serves as a community centre and sacred space where people pray, learn and find spiritual guidance.Gurdwaras also offer free meals cooked in a community kitchen called a langar, and people of all faiths are welcome.“When I visited [Regina’s] Gurdwara Sahib for the first time, it was kind of a homely experience, you know, it felt like a home away from home,” he said.Khan arrived in Canada in 2023. Like many new international students, he felt overwhelmed and isolated, he said. Adapting to his new home was difficult. WATCH | Ramjan Khan shares why he started volunteering at the Regina Sikh Temple:Hear why this Muslim man volunteers at the Regina Sikh TempleThis Creator Network documentary profiles Ramjan Khan, an international student originally from India, who now lives in Regina. He says the familiar surroundings of the Regina Sikh Temple make him feel at home in a new country.“When you cannot look for a job, or when you’re just searching for a job, and there’s a lot more going on with different studies,” he said. The weather didn’t help. It was summer when he arrived, but when winter hit, the novelty of snow faded as the frigid temperatures dropped.“They were actually harsh,” Khan remembered. “And I used to go by bus at that time, so it was kind of a tough time.”In 2024, the University of Regina had 17,288 international students enrolled in the fall term. They represented 27.5 per cent of all students enrolled for the year.But by the winter of 2025, those numbers declined by more than 50 per cent when the federal government capped the number of international students allowed to come to Canada, and implemented a series of policies aimed at reducing overall temporary resident numbers.To help with his transition to Saskatchewan, Khan started volunteering at the Regina Sikh temple because he knew he could get some tasty and familiar food for free, and connect with members of his new community at the same time.Ramjan Khan and friends enjoying the snow in Regina. (Submitted by Ramjan Khan)Despite following Islam, he was welcomed at the temple with open arms. Back in India, he lived in an area that was surrounded by all religions, with neighbours who were Hindu and Sikh, he said.“I think my religion also plays a significant role in shaping my values and, you know, my thought process, and how I like to explore more religions just to be a part of community … and serve as a human being.”Khan said he appreciates the Sikh temple because it gave him the feeling of belonging he needed after coming to Canada.“This place 100 per cent serves as, you know, a place which is building bridges between different communities.”Ramjan Khan enjoys spending time at the Regina Sikh temple. He says everyone is equal when they sit on the floor and eat. (Submitted by Tejasvijay Singh)He says any newcomers or international students who come to Regina would benefit from a visit to the Sikh temple to find connections, eat some good food and be accepted by a community so they know they’re not alone, especially if they’re having a hard time.“Don’t be in that stressful situation by yourself,” Khan said. “Share your views and share whatever you’re going through with your family and with your friends. It will help you a lot.”International student Ramjan Khan inside the Regina Sikh temple, where he has found a home away from home. (Submitted by Tejasvijay Singh)ABOUT THE AUTHORAnna-May Zeviar is the Creator Network producer for CBC Saskatchewan. She also produces the CBC Saskatchewan TV newscast, and is the Deal Diva on CBC Radio. Anna-May has been a journalist at CBC since 2000, with stints in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Regina. If you have story ideas or a pitch for the Creator Network, email anna-may.zeviar@cbc.ca.With files from Tejasvijay Singh