Sikh Community

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:23): This week in the state Parliament of South Australia, I joined some of my parliamentary colleagues to acknowledge the contribution of our South Australian Sikh community in celebrating the 550^th birth anniversary of the first guru and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, preacher of harmony and peace.

Harmony and peace, of course, are things most of us strive for in our daily lives, in our families and in our communities, and something we would like to achieve across the nation and, yes, around the world. This week also marked the anniversary of Armistice Day, 101 years from when the guns were silenced on the Western Front. Like many in this chamber, I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at my local RSL, the Gilles Plains and Hampstead RSL, to pay my respects to those who lost their lives in battle and those who continue to suffer from their experiences.

Some may not be aware that standing side by side as members of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force throughout World War I were members of the Australian Sikh community. In fact, between World War I and World War II, 83,000 Sikhs lost their lives and more than 109,000 were wounded fighting for the allied forces.

The Sikh contribution to Australia and South Australia has a long history that goes back more than 100 years. It has been and continues to be significant in so many ways: economically, socially, culturally and, for my family, through the warm friendships we have formed. Today, there are more than 8,500 Sikhs living and making valuable contributions to our state of South Australia. It was wonderful to be able to invite leaders and community representatives together for Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550^th birth anniversary celebration on Tuesday.

I know at gurdwaras across the state celebrations took place and are continuing in the days ahead. Through the community I have learnt that the guru's spiritual teachings embraced unity, compassion and equality of all humankind, that he rejected the notion of divisions between people based on religion and did not believe in race, caste or status. Preaching peace and harmony, his teachings called for the equality of women in society, because he believed all human beings are born of women and so a woman should be equal of everyone they helped create.

The celebrations include a religious procession led by Panj Pyare, the five beloved ones, carrying the Sikh flag, followed by a communal lunch, reinforcing the ideas of unity irrespective of class. This is the fourth year that we have brought a celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Ji to Parliament House in South Australia. This year, there are celebrations in other state parliaments, as well as the federal parliament in Canberra. I would like to extend wishes of peace and harmony to our South Australian Sikh community on the auspicious occasion of the 550^th anniversary of the birth of the father of Sikhism.

Recently, we also had representatives of our South Australian Hindu community gather at state Parliament House to celebrate Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights. A popular festival among people from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Fiji and some parts of Bangladesh, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Throughout this time homes are cleaned and the exchange of sweets and gifts among family and friends takes place.

Diwali is a time for spiritual and emotional renewal, when the light of the diya washes away past grievances. It is a celebration of the spirit of community coming together. On Diwali night there is no moon, so the candles are lit and decorative lights are hung inside and outside of the home, on shops and iconic buildings. It is the biggest festival of the year and a day when families travel far to be together and perform prayers in their homes.

Hindus across Australia celebrate Diwali with family and friends, new and old. I know that it has become a popular topic in some of our schools, with many schools within my electorate of Torrens hosting cultural days for students over the past few weeks. Recognition of our multicultural communities, who each contribute to the tapestry of South Australia, is vitally important. These communities in South Australia make a significant social, intellectual, economic, sporting and spiritual contribution to our state. With cultural awareness being a sign of an enlightened society, it is important that these and other cultural festivals are progressively open to the wider community.