John Kerry greets Sikhs on Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary

Washington, Nov 6: Greetings Sikhs on the birth anniversary of

Dev, US Secretary of State

has said America stands with them in recognition of their shared values and a mutual commitment to human dignity.

"Now on the anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth, as friends and family gather to celebrate this special day, know that the people of the United States stand with you in recognition of our shared values and with a mutual commitment to human dignity, compassion, and service," Kerry said in a statement on Wednesday.

On behalf of the people of the US, Kerry said, he sends his best wishes to Sikhs around the world as they celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru.

"Guru Nanak's timeless teachings and principles—the equality of all people, pluralism within diverse societies, and compassion towards one another—are shared not only by Sikhs, but also by people of all faiths," he said.

He said that shared spirit is at the heart of everything the Department of State strives to accomplish throughout the world. "We recently celebrated these values as Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and members of other faiths came together to celebrate Diwali at the Department of State," he added.

PTI