PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday issued the following statement on the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji:

“Today, Sikhs in Canada and around the world will celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion and first Sikh guru.

“On the anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth, family and friends will come together to reflect on his life and teachings of unity, compassion, and equality – core values of the Sikh faith that Canadians embody every day. As Sikhs honour the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, I hope we all can find inspiration in his teachings, and in his universal and timeless message for all of us.

“This day is also an opportunity to recognize the contributions Sikh Canadians have made – and continue to make – to create a better Canada. Sikhs across the country practise seva, or selfless service, by helping Canadians in need, irrespective of background.

“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I offer our warmest wishes to all those celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”

PIERRE Poilievre, Conservative Party Leader, said in a statement:

“Today, Sikhs in Canada and around the world celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab – the birth of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

“Guru Nanak exemplified the values of peace, generosity and compassion to all his followers. Even as a child, Guru Nanak demonstrated how to live peacefully with others, as he championed the equality of all people. His selflessness continues to inspire millions of Sikhs around the world, as they pursue greater faithfulness in their lives.

“Today, Sikhs honour Guru Nanak’s legacy, and seek to follow in his footsteps. As part of the celebrations, Sikhs will gather to meditate, sing kirtans and reflect on the core values of Sikhism and the teachings of Guru Nanak such as to remember God constantly, to earn an honest livelihood, and to share their earnings with everyone through charity. Many will also be busy cooking food and organizing langars as a way of blessing their neighbours and communities.

“Nearly half a million Sikhs live in Canada and work every day to make our country a more peaceful, welcoming place. Their contributions have enriched Canadian public life and have brought immense joy to communities across our country. In this way, all Canadians have been profoundly blessed by the teachings of Guru Nanak. Today, I urge my fellow Canadians to take time to reflect on this incredible gift and share in the celebration of this special occasion.

“On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, from my family to yours, have a blessed Guru Nanak Gurupurab!”

B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives Rachna Singh, , said in a statement:

“Today marks the 553rd anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion and the first of the 10 Sikh gurus. This special day is known as Gurpurab, which refers to an anniversary of a guru’s birth that is celebrated by holding a festival. Today, Guru Nanak Gurpurab is one of the most sacred festivals for the Sikh community in British Columbia and around the world.

“In Gurudwaras, places of assembly and worship for Sikhs, the celebrations have been ongoing for two days. On the first day, Sikhs begin to read the Guru Granth Sahib, the religious scripture of Sikhism, from beginning to end. This continuous reading is called an Akhand Path, which is an extremely meaningful meditative practice for Sikhs that is done in shifts until the morning of Gurpurab.

“Guru Nanak Dev Ji shared a central message of equality for all, regardless of gender, religion or background. To honour Gurpurab, many Sikhs participate in sevā, selfless service that is performed without any expectations of reward for doing it. Whether taking the form of cooking food for others, volunteering in the community or helping a neighbour with gardening, participating Sikhs embody Guru Nanak’s lessons of unity, selflessness and service by helping others, regardless of faith, ethnicity or background.

“British Columbia is home to one of the largest Sikh populations in Canada. As we mark Gurpurab, I encourage all British Columbians to reflect on the important contributions Sikh Canadians make to our province as we work to create a better future for everyone.

“I extend my warmest wishes for a happy Guru Nanak Gurpurab!”