TAXILA: Muslims, Hindus and Christians joined the Sikh community members to celebrate the 359th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikh religion, at Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hasanabdal on Monday.

The day was spent reciting from the religious scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, besides singing and chanting holy hymns as part of the Nagar Kirtan procession. The participants were wearing traditional costumes, multi-colour turbans, holding symbolic swords and raising religious slogans of Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

Parliamentary Secretary for Safron Asfandyar Bhandara was chief guest on the occasion.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Bhandara said safeguarding rights of religious minorities in the country would be ensured and every effort would be made to give them due status in society.

Pakistan attaining an identity as a minority-friendly country, says parliamentary secretary

“We gathered here at Punja Sahib to honour the legacy of Guru Gobind Singh on his birth anniversary by spreading love, kindness and wisdom among the people around us,” he added.

He said Pakistan is attaining an identity as a minority-friendly country where all segments of society and followers of every religion would be equally treated. He also said such events would build understanding of traditions and beliefs of minorities and people here had shown a sign of interfaith harmony.

Mr Bhandara said that celebration of minorities’ events would help spread love and peace. He said minorities were allowed to practice their religion freely. He expressed his gratitude to the diverse gathering for their enthusiasm and participation in the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary. He stressed the significance of such events in fostering unity, understanding and mutual respect among different communities in the country. He said the future of Pakistan was bright and soon its economy will be on the right track.

PPP minority wing Divisional President Jabran Gill said the fact that Muslims and members of the Christian community attended the Gurdwara Punja Sahib event demonstrated that Pakistan was a peaceful nation where people lived in harmony. “The world needs to see the beautiful face of Pakistan,” he said.

Sardar Ravinder Singh Jaggi, a local Granthi, said Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th and last Sikh Guru and his greatest achievement was the creation of the Khalsa in 1699. He said Gobind Singh, known in Sikh history chiefly for his creation of Khalsa, “the pure” and a casteless order of Sikhs that embodied courage.

He said Gobind Singh became a guru at the age of nine after the death of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, and was assassinated in 1708 at the age of 41.

Earlier, Mr Bhandara along with members of the Sikh and Christian communities cut a cake commemorating the birthday of Sardar Gobind Singh. They also participated in the rituals in connection to the birth celebrations.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2025