[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 28170-28171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SIKHS ENTHUSIASTICALLY CELEBRATE GURU NANAK'S BIRTHDAY WITH REVERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, last month, Sikhs gathered from around the 
world to celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, 
with devotion, enthusiasm, and reverence. Over 25,000 Sikhs gathered in 
Nankana Sahib, in what is now Pakistan, for the celebration.
  The celebration included reading of the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru 
Granth Sahib, the singing of hymns, a procession through the streets, 
and speeches. One of the speeches was given by Dr. Gunnit Singh Aulakh, 
President of the Council of Khalistan, the organization that leads the 
Sikh struggle for independence. Dr. Aulakh's speech was punctuated with 
slogans of ``Khalistan Zindabad,'' which means ``Long live Khalistan.'' 
Khalistan is the name of the Sikh state that declared its independence 
on October 7, 1987.
  The celebration was carried live on Pakistani television and on 
Punjab Radio from London, which is available worldwide.
  Guru Nanak had two companions, one Hindu and one Muslim. He was a 
shining example of acceptance of all. When Guru Nanak passed away, his 
burial shawl was torn in half and burned by the Hindus, and buried by 
the Muslims. Both Hindus and Muslims revered him.
  Yet today, Hindus persecute the Sikhs, the followers of Guru Nanak. 
More than 250,000 Sikhs have been murdered at the hands of the Indian 
government. According to the Movement Against State Repression, MASR, 
over 52,000 are being held without charge or trial as political 
prisoners in ``the world's largest democracy.'' Over 50,000 young Sikh 
men were picked up by the government, tortured, murdered, and then 
secretly cremated. Their bodies were declared ``unidentified'' and 
never returned to their families.
  Christians and Muslims throughout the country are also being 
persecuted. Over 300,000 Christians in Nagaland and over 90,000 
Kashmiri Muslims have been killed by the government. In addition, tens 
of thousands of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, Tamils, and other 
minorities have been killed.
  Are we going to stand idly by and let this happen? By stopping our 
aid and trade with India and by declaring our support for the 
fundamental democratic principle of self-determination, we can help 
bring real peace, prosperity, freedom, and stability to South Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the Council of Khalistan's very 
informative press release about the celebration of Guru Nanak's 
birthday into the Record at this time.

             [From the Council of Khalistan, Nov. 22, 2005]

   Sikhs Celebrate Guru Nanak's Birthday With Devotion, Enthusiasm, 
                               Reverence

       Washington, DC.--Over 25,000 Sikhs gathered in Nankana 
     Sahib (now in Pakistan) last week for the celebration of the 
     birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikh religion. 
     About 15,000 were from Pakistan, about 4,500 were from India, 
     and the rest were from abroad. Slogans of ``Khalistan 
     Zindabad'' resonated throughout Nankana Sahib during the 
     day's speeches.
       The celebration began with the performance of Akand Path, 
     which is the The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, 
     was read without interruption for 48 hours leading up to Guru 
     Nanak's birthday. Hymns were sung as midnight struck. In the 
     morning, the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC) 
     presented government officials and others with siropas. 
     According to Sikh tradition, the afternoon was marked by a 
     procession led by the Guru Granth Sahib, followed by the Panj 
     Piaras, and then the Sangat, of all the Gurdwaras in Nankana 
     Sahib, ending back at Gurdwara Janam Asthan. The evening 
     program featured speeches given by various Sikh leaders, 
     including Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council 
     of Khalistan, which leads the Sikh struggle for independence. 
     When Dr. Aulakh raised slogans of ``Khalistan Zindabad,'' the 
     Sangat responded with great enthusiasm. The Sikh Nation knows 
     that political power is essential for the enhancement of any 
     religion. The Sikh Nation also knows that the gold was added 
     to cover the building of Darbar Sahib when the Sikihs ruled 
     Punjab from 1765 to 1849. Since then, it is also called the 
     Golden Temple. After midnight the celebration concluded with 
     ceremonies according to the Sikh rehat maryada.
       The Sang at showed great devotion and reverence on this 
     pious occasion. Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh 
     religion. (``Marya Sikha Jagat Sitch Nanak Nirmal Panth 
     Chalaya.'') It was an occasion of great happiness for the 
     Khalsa Panth. The events were carried live on Pakistani TV 
     and on Punjab Radio from London, which is heard throughout 
     the world. Sikhs who were able to participate in the 
     celebration were very fortunate.
       Guru Nanak confronted Sabar, the Moghul ruler of the time 
     and called him a Jabbar (oppressor) and spoke out against the 
     tyranny of the rulers of that time. He was even imprisoned by 
     Babar, along with his followers. Guru Nanak travelled 
     extensively, to the Middle East, where he visited Baghdad, 
     and throughout India, along with his two companions, one 
     Hindu, one Muslim. He spread his message of truthfulness, 
     respect for the rights of individuals, earning an honest 
     living, sharing with the needy, and praying to Almighty God. 
     He was revered by Hindus and Muslims alike. When he left this 
     world, his body was not found. The sheet covering his body 
     was torn in two. The Hindus cremated it and the Muslims 
     buried it, each according to their customs.
       Guru Nanak is remembered as Baba Nanak Shah Faqir, Hindu Da 
     Guru, Mussleman Da

[[Page 28171]]

     Pir. He preached the equality of all the human race, 
     including gender equality.
       Sikhism is a divinely revealed, monotheistic, independent 
     religion which has 25 million followers and is the world's 
     fifth largest religion. The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy 
     scripture, was written by the Gurus themselves as revealed to 
     them by God. Nobody can add or delete anything in the holy 
     scripture, which is considered to be a living Guru after the 
     tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

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