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President Bush greets Sikhs on
Guru Nanak's birth anniversary

"America is strengthened by the rich cultural and religious diversity of its people. By preserving your customs and sharing loving and compassionate faith, Sikhs contribute to America's vibrant spiritual foundation." Bush said in a message.

Commending Sikhs for their 'commitment to making a difference' in the hearts and souls of their community, Bush wished the celebration will be a time to recognise the values 'that bind us together as a nation and a global community'.

The Sikh community is celebrating Guru Nanak's birth anniversary from Saturday till November 24.

Thanking Bush for the message, chairman of the Washington-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education Dr Rajwant Singh said, "The Sikh community in the United States is extremely pleased with President Bush's statement recognising the birth-anniversary of Guru Nanak."

"The president's message is recognition, once again, that the highest levels of the American government regard Sikhs as part and parcel of the American community."

He said Bush's message at this occasion certainly is very 'assuring and healing particularly when many Sikhs have felt insecure in the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy'.

Meanwhile, a jatha (procession) of 46 pilgrims on Saturday left for Pakistan via the Wagah Joint Check Post near Amritsar in Punjab to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations at the Gurudwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore.

Earlier in the morning, new SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar flagged off the jatha led by Alwinderpal Singh Pakoke, senior vice-president of the SGPC, from the SGPC complex in Amritsar.

Besides participating in the birth anniversary celebrations, the jatha would also visit various gurudwaras in Pakistan before returning on November 2, he said.

Out of 53 persons listed as being part of the jatha, only 46 crossed to Pakistan while the rest are expected to depart on Sunday.

Also, the Pakistan high commission had refused visas to two journalists of leading national dailies, official sources said.

More reports from Punjab

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