SGPC to honour scribe for reporting on gurdwara in Iraq

New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today announced that it would honour senior journalist Harmeet Shah Singh for his ''courageous reporting' on the condition of a Guru Nanak shrine in war-ravaged Baghdad and take up the issue with the US Administration.

SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar, who was here at a reception hosted by newly-appointed Delhi Akali Dal chief Manjit Singh, said his committee would write to the US Embassy in India and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding rebuilding the shrine in the Iraqi capital.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Minorities has recommended to the government to suitably honour Mr Singh for highlighting the state of the sacred site.

"Courageous journalism merits honour and the Indian Government should look into it", NCM member Harcharan Singh Josh said in a statement here.

His comments came after US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates' assurance to a Sikh delegation to look into its demand rebuilding the shrine.

"We appreciate Mr Gates for his statement on the issue. Last year I wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking intervention for restoring the sacred shrine to its original glory at the earliest", Mr Josh added.

The Sikh shrine in Baghdad commemorates the visit of Guru Nanaj Dev , the founder of the faith to Iraq and his dialogue with a Muslim holy person, Bahlol Dana representing interaction between two religions.

UNI/JSS RP BST1509