Sikhs Celebrate Guru Nanak Dev At Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC (IANS) – The 553rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs, was celebrated recently in the US Capitol. Co-organized by the Sikh Caucus Committee and American Sikh Congressional Caucus, the event witnessed the participation of close to a dozen members of Congress led by Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark.
Addressing the gathering, Clark lauded the Sikhs for being a peace-loving community that has made significant contributions to various fields in the US.
Terming it an honor to be associated with the Sikh community, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) appreciated the Sikhs for their belief in ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’ (welfare of all) and prayers for all.
Terming Guru Nanak’s travels to centers of various other faiths as the pivot of Sikhism, Garamendi appreciated the efforts made by Indian American Sikhs at encouraging interfaith dialogue in the US.
“Such efforts afford an insight into the Sikh doctrines for a better understanding of the Sikh faith, and are a welcome step at promoting interfaith bonhomie,” he said.
Another co-chair of the Sikh Caucus, David Valadao, praised Sikhs for following the teachings of Guru Nanak of sharing and serving humanity. A great example of this was witnessed globally during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Iqtidar Cheema, a member of UN Global Steering committee, praised Guru Nanak for showing the path of peace, harmony, and co-existence.
Harpreet Singh, Harjinder Singh, Jagraj Singh, Himmat Singh and Pritpal Singh, directors of the Sikh Caucus Committee, said that the event aimed at promoting a greater understanding of the Sikh faith and its tenets among the people of other faiths, and vice-versa.
Besides Clark and Garamendi, other Congress members present were Judy Chu, Donald Norcross, Jim Costa, Mary G. Scanlon, Doug LaMalfa, Lou Correa, Jimmy Panetta, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Patrick Meehan.