NATIONAL SIKH AWARENESS AND HISTORY MONTH

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.