LONDON, UK—Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn was joined by Shadow Ministers, MPs and Sikh Labour members and supporters to celebrate Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab (birth anniversary) in the Leaders Boardroom, Westminster on 16th November 2016.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the first Guru of the Sikhs and founder of the Sikh religion. The Gurpurab celebration is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar.
Sikhs for Labour Chair, Neena Gill MEP said, “I am delighted Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Leader was able to host this important event in his offices. It is the first time such an event has been held by any Leader of the Opposition and I’m sure this will cement the already strong links between UK Sikhs and the Labour Party.”
She added, “I was also very pleased that Jeremy Corbyn gave a commitment for the Gurpurab celebration to be an annual event. At Sikhs for Labour we are working to create a new partnership between Sikhs and the Labour Party based on our shared values. The commitment shown by Jeremy Corbyn towards the community is unmatched by any other political party.”
During the event, Leader of the Labour Party, Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP spoke of the three messages given by Guru Nanak of remembering God always, earning an honest living through hard work and sharing with others and the teachings of all human beings being equal and of gender equality. Jeremy Corbyn spoke of these values of equality, sharing and respect being the values of decent human beings and of the Labour Party.
Vice Chair of Sikhs For Labour, Gurinder Singh Josan said, “During the roundtable meeting Jeremy Corbyn gave a commitment to hold an annual round-table meeting with the Sikh community. He also agreed to facilitate meetings between the Sikh community and the relevant Shadow Frontbench teams on specific issues.
Prior to the Gurpurab celebration Sikhs For Labour officers held discussions with Jeremy Corbyn’s office and can confirm arrangements are now being made for a series of Shadow Frontbench meetings and other events.”
