President Bush greets Sikhs on 300th anniversary of Guru Granth Sahib
20 Jun 2008, 1859 Hrs

Washington June 20, (ANI): President Bush has greeted the Sikhs across America and worldwide on the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib as the community will commemorate this event in October.

Sikhs will be celebrating this auspicious occasion in their respective congregations all over the world.

"I send greetings to those celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Scriptures", 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 honour God and provide comfort to countless individuals." He added.

Bush 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."

"Laura and I send our best wishes on this special occasion,'' President Bush further added.

The Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) representative, Sirmukh Singh Manku, received this message from the White House today.

While talking to ANI, Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of The Sikh Council on Religion and Education, thanked Bush for extending these greetings to the Sikh community, 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."

Mega events will take place in Nanded, Maharasthra.

It was in Nanded, where the 10th and the last living guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, who in circa 1708 pronounced the end of the line of succession and declared that hence forth 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.