Sikh Community Center Washington DC

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Sikh Community leaders have released sample letters that parents can bring to their school to take leave of absence for Guru Nank's birthday.

FOR PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN, FIRST AND SECOND GRADES

November 13th is the birthday of Guru Nanak. (Guru means a religious teacher or messenger). Guru Nanak was born in 1469. That was 539 years ago. Guru Nanak started the Sikh religion in India. He taught that all people are equal, no matter what their color or their religion, or what country they come from. He taught that boys are not better than girls nor are girls better than boys. He said that everyone should work hard, be truthful and treat everyone else fairly. To celebrate Guru Nanak's birthday, Sikh boys and girls do not go to school. They go with their families to the gurdwara (the Sikh place of worship) to sing hymns written by Guru Nanak, and to read the Sikh Holy Book. They eat sweet things like cookies and candies to remember Guru Nanak's good life and sweet words. Like during Christmas time, Sikhs take time off to celebrate the founder of their religion, Guru Nanak.

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THIRD THROUGH EIGHTH GRADES

November 13, 2008 is the birthday of Guru Nanak (Guru means religious teacher or messenger.) Guru Nanak was born 539 years ago in India. He founded the Sikh religion, so November 13th is a Sikh holiday.

Guru Nanak taught his followers to love God and to respect all human beings as their equals. In India, as in many places in the world at that time, women were not allowed to do what men were, such as go to school, worship in public, or choose what they wanted to be. Guru Nanak said that this was wrong. As well as teaching his followers to respect women and all humankind, he taught that all should respect the religion of others as they would want their own to be respected. He also taught his followers to be honest and to work hard.

Guru Nanak wrote his teachings in poems. They are now part of the Sikh Holy Book which is all written in rhymes. When Sikhs go to their place of worship on Guru Nanak's birthday, they sing many of his poems as hymns.

Perhaps you have friends who are Sikh. They would like you to know, on November 13th, they are celebrating the birthday of Guru Nanak, their first Guru. Much like the uniform of policemen, firefighters, and doctors, Sikhs too have their uniform. Their uniform is there identity, which practically represent the teachings of Guru Nanak.

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NINTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADES

November 13, 2008 is the 539th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh religion (Guru means 'religious teacher or messenger'). He was born in India in 1469. Guru Nanak was ahead of his times in preaching equality of all people. The society in which he lived divided people into high and low castes. He challenged this system by saying all people are equal; none are high or low. In India at that time, women were considered inferior beings and not allowed to be educated or even to worship publicly. Guru Nanak taught that women were equal to men, and that they and their abilities should be respected. In the India of Guru Nanak's time, the followers of different religions often battled each other. Guru Nanak taught his followers that they should respect other religions as they want theirs to be respected.

Guru Nanak wrote his teachings in poetic compositions. He wrote nearly 1000 of these compositions which are now part of the Sikh Holy Book, which is all written in rhymes. Short sections of these compositions are sung as hymns at Sikh religious services.

Perhaps some of your friends are Sikhs. They are celebrating this important Sikh holiday with their family and community. Much like the uniform of policemen, firefighters, and doctors, Sikhs too have their uniform. Their uniform is there identity, which practically represent the teachings of Guru Nanak.