Abu Dhabi’s Flying Sikh Cycling for Peace in Syria

Manas Dutt
Jul 27, 2017 · 3 min read

Onkar Deep Singh took a different route to world peace, by pedaling his way towards it. In an amazing display of endurance, this Punjabi lad clocked close to 110 km on a bike in a single stretch from Al Dhait South, Ras al Khaimah to Thoban, Fujairah. And all for a cause which is close to his heart — world peace and particularly, peace in Syria. It took him 6 long hours to cover the inter-emirate distance at the peak of UAE’s summer heat. He believes that the exertion and pain he endured in seeing this feat through is emblematic of the pain of everyday existence in regions of unrest around the world. He undertook this challenge to raise awareness about how it feels like to live in war-torn nations under constant fear of imminent death. In collaboration with Khalsa Aid, a humanitarian organisation working globally to help people from all religions, Onkar hopes to raise funds for his cause and bring world peace back on the global agenda. The issue of Syria, he believes, is not getting the attention it deserves, especially in the UAE. He wants to change that one pedal stroke at a time.

There’s an urgent need for action to mitigate conflict and bolster relief efforts in the region. Despite a knee injury and in light of the critical urgency of this cause, Onkar thought it best to face the elements and the odds. He felt it couldn’t be postponed any further and that now’s the time to act. He hopes that his efforts, in some small way, will shed light on the pain of millions of people suffering under oppressive regimes and wars they didn’t ask for.

Onkar needs your help to raise funds for his cause! Kindly contribute any amount you can, however small, it would go a long way.

(All funds go directly towards supporting Khalsa Aid’s relief efforts)

A short-stop on the highway to hydrate
A signboard at the pit-stop, 44 km to go
Can he make it? He did!
At dusk, after close to 6 hours of cycling both defeated and victorious