On behalf of the people of the United States and the Department of State, I extend my 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. 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.

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.