USA Obama Greets Sikhs On Guru Nanak Birthday

[Sikh News Reporter]

Washington, Nov 16 (IANS) President Barack Obama has greeted "Sikh friends" around the world on the birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak saying Sikh values of pluralism were also "central to who we are as Americans."

"This sacred time is an occasion to reflect on Guru Nanak's timeless teachings and the principles that are at the heart of Sikhism, including the equality of all human beings, the pluralism we cherish in diverse societies and the compassion we owe one another," he said in a message Friday.

Expressing gratefulness "to the many Sikh Americans who give life to these values and enrich our country every day," Obama said they reminded "us that these shared principles are not only at the heart of the Sikh faith, they are central to who we are as Americans."

White House is also set to celebrate Guru Nanak's birth anniversary on Wednesday.

Here is the text of Obama's message:

"I want to extend my best wishes to all our Sikh friends, across the United States and around the world, who this weekend are observing the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru.

"This sacred time is an occasion to reflect on Guru Nanak's timeless teachings and the principles that are at the heart of Sikhism, including the equality of all human beings, the pluralism we cherish in diverse societies and the compassion we owe one another.

"Here in the United States, we're grateful to the many Sikh Americans who give life to these values and enrich our country every day, reminding us that these shared principles are not only at the heart of the Sikh faith, they are central to who we are as Americans.

The Sikh community welcomed Obama's greetings saying he and his administration have shown particular respect for Sikhs and their religious observances

Obama "has stood with Sikh community in the most challenging times last year during the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Gurdwara shooting and he tried his best to give comfort to the Sikhs and the nation," said Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education.

"We are committed to be a partner with President Obama in building a loving society where no one feels left out," he said.

http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/obama-greets-sikhs-guru-nanak-birthday-045412513.html

 

[spnadmin]

But it isn't his birthday. These greetings are either 5 months too early or 8 months too late. Guru Nanak's gurpurab is not in November. Even if one accepts the Bikram calendar calculation, and not the Nanakshai (Purewal, 2003) his birthday is not in November. Birkram Samvat puts his birthday in October. Thus.... I did not post this story because it is only further evidence of political tampering whereby politics in India interfere with religion in the diaspora.

There is x-mas. We have Nanak-mas I suppose in November (thoughts of a friend of mine, good Singh Saba type Sikh she is; and not a derawale, samajista, mahant bone in her body). Guru Nanak's birthday is Vaisaki, in April.

Oh well! All that research on my part, all that writing ... complete waste of time.

p/s SPN observes the Parkash Guru Nanak on Vaisakhi per the Nanakshai Calendar (2003, Purewal).

 

[kaur-1]

Another point of view.

http://youtu.be/o4VBLffg88o

 

[linzer]

I voted for this guy twice but I've come to realise you can't trust a word he say. Lest we forget, here's a link.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/no-headscarf-obama-may-skip-golden-temple-visit/699380/

 

[AngloSikhPeace]

I voted for this guy twice but I've come to realise you can't trust a word he say. Lest we forget, here's a link.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/no-headscarf-obama-may-skip-golden-temple-visit/699380/

It is 'safe' for Obama to visit Harmandir Sahib now. Now that Americans actually have something to hate his guts about (IRS, NSA, Syria retreat, the shutdown, ACA implementation), the dumb 'secret-Muslim-terrorist-foreigner' conspiracy theories seem to have been discarded.

 

[spnadmin]

It is 'safe' for Obama to visit Harmandir Sahib now. Now that Americans actually have something to hate his guts about (IRS, NSA, Syria retreat, the shutdown, ACA implementation), the dumb 'secret-Muslim-terrorist-foreigner' conspiracy theories seem to have been discarded.

I wish I had your talent for dry, droll and incisive wit. My own negative reactions go way back earlier than what you have listed. Obama never really "got" foreign relations strategy, especially where India, Pakistan and Central Asia are concerned. He first came up naive, and then came up late. Maybe he needed to read a few newspapers every day from the subcontinent -- all having a different take on political realilty. Its too late now.