Current Events
President Obama's Guru Nanak Gurpurab Message, 2012
PRESS SECRETARY, THE WHITE HOUSE
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GURU NANAK DEV JI
November 28, 2012
I send my best wishes to all those here in America and around the world who are observing the anniversary of birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru.
As always, this is a time to celebrate the principles of equality, respect, service and interfaith cooperation that are the core of the Sikh faith, and to recognize the extraordinary contributions that Sikh Americans make to our country every day.
This year, we also remember the innocent lives that were lost in the unspeakable violence directed against the Sikh congregation at the gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. I can think of no better way to honor their memory, and to join our Sikh friends as they mark this sacred time, than to recommit ourselves to the spirit of pluralism, equality and compassion that define both the Sikh community and our nation.
Conversation about this article
1: Hitpal Singh (New Zealand), November 29, 2012, 9:02 AM.
Indians should learn from President Obama. He shows more respect towards Sikhs then his Indian counterparts. He has probably kept every single promise made to Sikhs and not like the Nehru-Gandhi clan which left no stone unturned to break every promise. Sikhs will shine no matter what.
2: H. Kaur (Canada), November 29, 2012, 9:26 AM.
Well, there is no danger in America that minorities will be kept from rebuilding their houses of worship if racist vandals destroy or vandalize them. No danger of them being arrested either when they go to rebuild them. When the Wisconsin Gurdwara was being cleaned and repaired after the shooting, the local Home Depot store donated construction materials. A Christian priest even helped with the cleaning. Non-Sikhs donated money for the victims and held fundraisers. Sikhs were not stopped from creating a memorial of the event either. America is a real democracy, bot a mere veneer of one.
3: Gurmukh Singh (London, United Kingdom), November 29, 2012, 4:43 PM.
There are those behind the scenes who are briefing and prompting these highest level messages and recognition of our distinct Sikh identity. I congratulate all Sikh-Americans. True Sikh leadership by individuals or jathebandis in the diaspora countries lies in promoting professional level team-working and recognition of our distinct Sikh theo-social identity, in a spirit of "unity in diversity".