The Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Paris is among those that have been kept open. (Express Photo) The Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Paris is among those that have been kept open. (Express Photo)

The Sikh community in France and UK stepped up to help people in the French capital Paris, where multiple terror strikes left more than 120 people dead, by arranging for safe shelter, providing free cab service and blood donation camps.

Gurdwaras in Paris decided to keep their doors open night and day for those stranded after the attacks. They publicised their move over social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter with the #PorteOuverte (Doors open). Leading the charge was Gurudwara Singh Sabha in Paris along with Conseil Representatif Des Sikhs De France (Representative Council of Sikhs of France), Sikh Helping Hand, Mairie De Bobigny (office of Mayor Of Bobigny) and Prefecture De Seine Saint Denis.

Speaking to The Sunday Express over phone, Ranjit G Singh, director public affairs, Representative Council of Sikhs France, said, “It was a horrifying scene as endless gunshots were fired. We were in district 5 and it happened in district 10, few kilometres from here. We were busy watching the football match and suddenly we heard loud noises. Soon, we came out and saw the military take over the streets. We were sure that something had gone seriously wrong.” He added that eight gurdwaras in Paris would be open throughout night and day to welcome the needy.

“We have already started with blood donation at Hospital Avincennes, 93000 Bobigny and people have started lining up to give blood,” he said. He added that Sikh cab drivers were also ferrying people to their homes for free.

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