Washington: The White House celebrated the birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak with top aides of President Barack Obama assuring the community of his full support.
"President Obama stands with, he stands behind you and he stands in solidarity with you. And we all have a responsibility to remind Americans what makes us great" President Obama's senior adviser Valerie Jarrett told a gathering of the Sikh community from across the US.
The programme opened with Jesse Moore, Associate Director of Public Engagement, welcoming the guests. This was followed by a Sikh hymn performed by Manpreet Singh and Raghubir Singh from New Jersey on classical instruments like taus, dilruba and jodi.
When Jarrett greeted the gathering saying "Happy Gurpurab" a room full of Sikh men, women, and children cheered and clapped, according to a media release.
Dr Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said, "The Sikh community is grateful for the powerful and supportive words of President Obama's team today."
"This sends an assuring signal to the entire community that this nation stands behind it," he said.
Valerie Jarrett was given a Phulkari shawl, a typical Punjabi speciality, and a book on Sikh heritage and ethos as she was honoured by Sikh representatives from Sikh Coalition, Sikh Council on Religion and Education and United Sikhs.
Vanita Gupta, principal deputy assistant attorney general, said: "We at the Justice department continue to use all of the tools available to combat any violence or hate against the Sikh community."
In his keynote address, Amritjit Singh of Ohio University discussed about "Guru Nanak: Equality and Social Justice".
"Guru Nanak's message has special resonance for us today where fear and ignorance are giving rise to hatred, violence, and intolerance," he said. "The Guru had a sharp eye for the patterns of hypocrisy, intolerance, and exploitation."
Nikki-Gurinder Kaur Singh of Colby College said the legacy of Guru Nanak empowers young Sikhs "with an identity which is equally American and Sikh."
"It is a profound symbol of our being together and it expresses that we are Americans no matter what complexion or religion we may be."
"President Obama stands with, he stands behind you and he stands in solidarity with you. And we all have a responsibility to remind Americans what makes us great" President Obama's senior adviser Valerie Jarrett told a gathering of the Sikh community from across the US.
The programme opened with Jesse Moore, Associate Director of Public Engagement, welcoming the guests. This was followed by a Sikh hymn performed by Manpreet Singh and Raghubir Singh from New Jersey on classical instruments like taus, dilruba and jodi.
Dr Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said, "The Sikh community is grateful for the powerful and supportive words of President Obama's team today."
Advertisement
Valerie Jarrett was given a Phulkari shawl, a typical Punjabi speciality, and a book on Sikh heritage and ethos as she was honoured by Sikh representatives from Sikh Coalition, Sikh Council on Religion and Education and United Sikhs.
Advertisement
In his keynote address, Amritjit Singh of Ohio University discussed about "Guru Nanak: Equality and Social Justice".
Advertisement
Nikki-Gurinder Kaur Singh of Colby College said the legacy of Guru Nanak empowers young Sikhs "with an identity which is equally American and Sikh."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Couldn't Have Asked...": Barack Obama's Anniversary Post For Wife Michelle Two Indian Americans Appointed To Class Of White House Fellows Another US Inmate To Be Executed By Nitrogen Gas 3 Spectators At Air Force's Chennai Airshow Die "Sit Quiet": Bhavish Aggarwal As Kunal Kamra Flags Ola EV Issue Egypt's Pyramids Built Using An Incredibly Clever Machine: Study "Appreciate His Commitment To...": S Jaishankar Meets Maldives President Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren Hospitalised AI Can Be As Dangerous For World As Nuclear Weapons: S Jaishankar Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.