President Obama pays tribute to Sikhism's values of equality and social justice

##ad_1##WASHINGTON D.C: On Friday the White House celebrated the 541st birthday of the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. UNITED SIKHS staff, community members and volunteers were there to join in with the celebrations. Sikh hymns were sung including Vich Duniya Sev Kamaihai Taan Dargeh Baisan Payeehai found in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Last year was the first time that this holiday has ever been celebrated at the White House. Members of the Sikh community from around the country were invited to celebrate the occasion with traditional hymns led by the Sikh Kirtani Chanters from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. Guru Nanak preached against discrimination and prejudices due to race, caste, status and was one of the first people in the late 1400s and early 1500s, to attempt to improve respect towards women.

Harpreet Sandhu, advisor to UNITED SIKHS, said: "Guru Nanak Sahib Ji’s vision is beginning to germinate within the consciousness of the Sikh community as we are starting to see the emergency of Sikhs in public life and building careers in civil and human rights organizations. This call to service has been recognized even by the President as he graciously thanked UNITED SIKHS, an international civil and human rights advocacy organization, for their ongoing seva to the victims of Haiti."

##ad_2##Representatives from the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, UNITED SIKHS, and other grassroots leaders came together to recognize the important contributions of Sikhs to our national life. Becky Monroe, head of Community Relations at the Department of Justice talked about the White House's continued wish to work with the Sikh community to prevent discrimination and hate crimes. She praised Sikhism's central message of fighting for justice. Others present at the event included Sikh philanthropists and actor Kal Penn.

Loveleen Kaur, UNITED SIKHS Executive Strategy Advisor (to the Board of Directors), who attended the White House gathering said: "The Sikh community has finally begun to find a voice within the upper echelons of government, but organizations like UNITED SIKHS and other Sikh civil and human rights groups must continue to build and strengthen partnerships."

UNITED SIKHS is building momentum with issues that not only affect Sikhs, but broader society too. Loveleen said: "One example is with TSA where Sikh civil rights organizations have been at the forefront of providing advance warning to the public about the ramifications of TSA's new policies. However, without the support of the Sikh community (both through seva and financial donations), Sikh advocacy groups are limited in how far they can mount effective challenges to abusive policies."