National Sikh Awareness And History Month

EDM number 1165 in 2017-19, proposed by Seema Malhotra on 16/04/2018.
Categorised under the topic of Religion and faith communities.

That this House extends congratulations to Sikhs celebrating Vaisakhi in the UK and around the world; notes that 14 April marks Vaisakhi and the founding of Khalsa in 1699 by the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh; further notes that Gurdwaras across the UK have organised Nagar Kirtan processions in the UK's towns and cities, helping to share the teachings and values of Sikhs; notes the assistance provided by Sikhs to the homeless and others in our communities and across the world through Langar and other Sewa, selfless service, including humanitarian relief; recognises the shared history of the Sikhs and the UK, particularly in the armed forces where Sikhs proudly fought alongside allied forces during the World Wars; further recognises the achievements of Sikhs across the UK in commerce, the professions and in civic life; abhors the attack on a turban wearing Sikh visitor outside of the House of Commons; notes that Sikhs have faced and increase in hate crime attacks and notes the lack of specific recording of these by the authorities; recognises the work of organisations, including the Sikh Council UK and its members in building, understanding and contributing to public policy; recognises the importance of education in tackling ignorance and hate crime; notes the success of Sikh Awareness Month in California, US and Ontario, Canada; and calls on the Government to mark the significance of April in our calendar through recognising it as Sikh Awareness and History Month in the UK.

This motion has been signed by a total of 100 MPs.