Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to take this opportunity to draw attention to and thank the Sikh community in Australia on the occasion of the 554th birthday celebration of Guru Nanak.

Guru Nanak laid the foundation of the Sikh faith. He coined the word 'Sikh', which means 'becoming the learned one', spreading the message of universal oneness. Guru Nanak travelled across India, the Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and Tibet. He left behind a monumental text, called the Guru Granth Sahib, for all mankind. Sikhs originating from the undivided Punjab arrived in Australia in the mid-1800s and have lived here since then. There's even a place in Australia called Punjaub, at the border of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

In my electorate of Tangney, there's a large Sikh community and the largest Sikh temple. I have the pleasure of saying that I'm always being invited and I'm made to feel welcome at all times. Sikhs are renowned for their community service. During COVID and the floods, bushfires and drought, the Sikh community opened community kitchens around the country and provided food to many Australians.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sikh community in Australia and invite everyone to join them in celebrating the birthday of their founder, Guru Nanak.