London, 1st April 2026 – Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG MGH has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London in a prestigious ceremony at Guildhall, recognising a lifetime of service to humanity through peacebuilding, faith leadership, and community transformation across the UK and around the world.
One of the City of London’s oldest and most distinguished honours, dating back over 800 years, the Freedom was historically granted to individuals who contributed to the life and prosperity of the City. Today, it represents a form of honorary civic recognition, often described as a “symbolic citizenship” of the City of London, celebrating those who have made a meaningful impact on society and public life.
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh receives this recognition for over three decades of leadership dedicated to advancing unity, compassion, and shared human values across cultures, faiths, and nations.
Bhai Sahib Ji is the third spiritual leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a Birmingham-based Sikh charitable organisation with global reach across education, healthcare, civic engagement, heritage conservation, and interfaith work. He also chairs the Nishkam Group of Organisations, whose work is rooted in the Sikh principle of Nishkam sewa – selfless service.
Under his leadership, the Nishkam Group has delivered transformational, multi-million-pound regeneration in Handsworth, Birmingham, providing education, healthcare, social housing, and community services. This long-term, values-led investment is widely recognised as a model of faith-based civic renewal addressing inequality and strengthening social cohesion in inner-city communities.
Alongside his work in the UK, he has led major international initiatives advancing peace and humanitarian cooperation. In 2025, he led a historic global mission across Africa, bringing together over 300 volunteers from six continents to deliver education, healthcare, interfaith dialogue, and community development across Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa, directly serving tens of thousands of people. During the mission, Bhai Sahib Ji was received by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema at State House in Lusaka, who commended his contribution to education, humanitarian service, and peacebuilding. The President also acknowledged Bhai Sahib Ji’s earlier role in Zambia’s national housing development during his civil / structural / housing engineering career between 1969 and 1989 (under the leadership of President Kaunda).
In Kenya, the Kipsigis Council of Elders conferred upon him the title of Global Honorary Elder, recognising both his spiritual leadership and a century-long legacy of Nishkam service in the region.
Bhai Sahib Ji has also played a significant role in the restoration and preservation of Sikh heritage in India, supporting the conservation of historic Gurudwaras and sacred sites as living centres of faith, education, and community life for future generations.
His global leadership is further reflected in his role as co-convener of the international Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, a worldwide initiative developed with over 100 religious leaders and humanitarians and shared with international figures including the UN Secretary-General, His Holiness Pope Francis and King Charles III.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Bhai Sahib (Prof) Mohinder Singh OBE KSG MGH said:
“I am truly humbled and honoured for this recognition, but I must first and foremost, thank the Almighty who has made it possible for me to serve. I accept this prestigious award on behalf of the founding elders of GNNSJ, the organisation I am privileged to serve.
“It is overwhelming to be included amongst such high profile and deserving previous recipients of the Freedom of the City of London award, I am touched by this.
“Once again, on behalf of my respected predecessors, Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji, Bhai Sahib Bhai Norang Singh Ji, and all the whole Nishkam Group, I accept this award and pray that we are all able to keep serving as modelled by our Gurus and founders”.
His contributions have been recognised internationally through numerous honours, including being awarded an OBE, becoming the first Sikh in history to receive the Papal Knighthood of St Gregory the Great (KSG), and receiving the 2025 World Public Recognition Award “For Service to Humanity” in Russia. Bhai Sahib Ji was presented with the ‘Key to the City of Nairobi’ in 2017 by the then Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. This latest recognition affirms Bhai Sahib Ji’s standing as a globally respected voice for peace, reconciliation, and values-driven leadership, demonstrating how faith, service, and practical action can come together to transform lives and communities.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- The Freedom of the City of London is one of the UK’s oldest civic honours, with roots dating back to the 13th century, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to public life.
- More information can be found here.
- Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG MGH is the Chairman and third spiritual leader of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a UK-based Sikh charitable organisation headquartered in Birmingham.
- He co-organised the Peace Charter for Forgiveness & Reconciliation, a global initiative developed with over 100 religious leaders and humanitarians.
- Bhai Sahib Ji has played a significant role in the restoration and preservation of Sikh heritage sites in India, supporting the conservation of historic gurdwaras and cultural landmarks.
His honours include:- An OBE (Order of the British Empire)
- The Papal Knighthood of St Gregory the Great (2012), making him the first Sikh in history to receive this distinction.
- The 2025 World Public Recognition Award “For Service to Humanity.”
- Since 1995, under his leadership, the Nishkam Group of Organisations has delivered multi-million-pound regeneration efforts in Handsworth, Birmingham, including five centres of excellence offering education, healthcare, housing, and community services.
- GNNSJ promotes selfless service (Nishkam sewa), with global initiatives in education, healthcare, civic engagement, heritage conservation, and interfaith dialogue.
- Additional information is available here.
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