NCM member hail US Def Secy's assurance to rebuild Sikh shrine

New Delhi, Apr 19 (UNI) National Commission of Minorities member Harcharan Singh Josh today hailed US Defence Secretary Robert Gates' assurance to the Sikh community that he would look into its demand for rebuilding a guru Nanak shrine in Baghdad, which has been bombed by Iraqi insurgents.

In a statement here, Mr Josh said,''We appreciate Mr Gates for his reported assurance. Last year, I wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also, seeking his intervention over the issue after a report from Baghdad said the sacred shrine had been bombed by Iraqi militants.

The site should be restored to its original glory at the earliest.'' The Sikh shrine in Baghdad commemorates the visit of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, to Iraq in the 15th century.

During his visit, Guru Nanak Dev ji had a dialogue with a Muslim holy man, Bahlol Dana, and this meeting represented the first talks between the two religions.

UNI AR BDP KP1917