New Delhi, June 21, 2008 - President Bush has sent warm greetings to Sikhs across America and worldwide on the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib as the community is gearing towards major celebration of this event in October this year. Sikhs will be celebrating this auspicious occasion in their respective congregations all over the world. The Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) representative, Sirmukh Singh Manku, received this message from the White House today.
“I send greetings to those celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Scripturesâ€, said President Bush in a message released today from the White House.
Emphasizing the noble concepts of the Sikh faith, President Bush said, “Sikhism teaches its followers to respect the equality of all people, defend the weak, lead lives of compassion and generosity, and work hard.
"By putting their beliefs and values into action, Sikhs honor God and provide comfort to countless individuals." He added.
He praised the Sikh community by saying, "I applaud the Sikh community for your respect for human life and your strong devotion to family and faith. With this message of compassion, humility, and love, Sikhs make the world a more peaceful and hopeful place."
President Bush further added, "Laura and I send our best wishes on this special occasion.''
Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of The Sikh Council on Religion and Education, thanked Bush for extending these greetings to the Sikh community. He said, “The Sikh community is pleased with President Bush's greetings and we appreciate this gesture by the President. Bush Administration and the White House has always stood with Sikhs since 9/11 tragedy and its negative impact on the community."
In October, mega events will take place in Nanded, in the Indian state of Maharasthra.
It was in Nanded, where the tenth and the last living guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, who in 1708, pronounced the end of the line of succession and declared that henceforth the function of the guru as teacher and final authority for faith and conduct was vested in the Scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib and in the community. Sikh Scriptures occupies the same place in Sikh veneration that was given to the living gurus.
SCORE has worked with the White House on number of issues related to Sikhs and it had also organized the first ever Sikh event at the White House in 2004.