2019

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MPs launch National Sikh Awareness and History Month at the House of Commons

The National Sikh Awareness & History Month was launched on Tuesday 2nd April 2019 at an event to mark Vaisakhi at the House of Commons. Launched in Speaker’s House, the occasion saw messages of support from all the main political parties following the call for Sikh Awareness and History Month led by Labour MP Seema Malhotra.

Speaking on the occasion, Seema Malhotra MP said,: “I am proud that we are launching National Sikh Awareness and History month here in the UK, also referred to as Sikh Heritage Month. We’ve come a long way since last April when with cross party support, I tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the UK to recognise April as National Sikh Awareness and History Month, noting that Vaisakhi in April marks the founding of Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.“

“The Month takes on greater significance this year as Sikhs around the world mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I hope the project plays its part well in raising awareness and understanding of the Sikh faith, history and community and that the bridges we build with Parliament and across nations grow from strength to strength.”

Ms Malhotra went on to thank Parliamentarians such as Pat McFadden MP, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, Dominic Grieve MP, Preet Kaur Gill MP, Alison Thewliss MP, Virendra Sharma MP and Vince Cable MP for their support in launching the Sikh Awareness Month. The Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston also put on record her gratitude to Dr Jasdev Singh Rai (BSCF – British Sikh Consultative Forum), Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh (Nishkam), Jagtar Singh Gill Sikh Council UK (SCUK), Gurinder Singh Josan (Sikhs in Politics), Jasvir Singh (British Sikh Report), Dr Opinderjit Kaur (Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies, #Wolverhampton) and Kirat Raj Singh for all their assistance in the lead up to the launch.

Events in Parliament over April include the launch of the British Sikh Report, Turban Awareness Day, a lecture on Guru Nanak and Feminism and a planned debate on Sikh history and contribution to the UK. Other community led events will take place across the country including #VisitMyGurdwara and #LangerWithYourMP events.

Follow the National Sikh Awareness and History Month campaign on twitter at @SikhAwareMonth and like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NatSikhAwareness