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AJR126
ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 126
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
���� Designates weekend closest to day of Guru Nanak
Gurpurab as �Guru Nanak Gurpurab Weekend� in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
A Joint Resolution
designating
the weekend closest to the day of Guru Nanak Gurpurab as �Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Weekend� in New Jersey.
Whereas,
New Jersey is enriched by the diversity of its residents who have fostered a
climate of social tolerance and intellectual pluralism which has strengthened
this State throughout its history; and
Whereas,
The Sikh community, originating in Punjab, South Asia, with some of its members
having immigrated to the United States over a century ago, has made significant
contributions to the development of both this nation and this State; and
Whereas,
Sikhism is the world�s fifth-largest religion, with an estimated 30 million
adherents worldwide, including approximately one million in the United States;
and
Whereas,
The principles of peace, equality and fraternity are central to the Sikh
tradition, which was founded in response to social injustice, religious
intolerance, and division; and
Whereas,
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism who lived from 1469 until 1539, is
recognized as one of history�s greatest religious visionaries, teaching that
there is only one God, known as Truth, who is eternal, formless, and realized
through divine grace; and
Whereas,
Guru Nanak emphasized three core tenets, including meditating and remembering
God, earning an honest living, and sharing with those in need; and
Whereas,
Guru Nanak�s teachings, expressed through profound poetry, laid the foundation
for the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib; and
Whereas,
Guru Nanak was a revolutionary of his time, who rejected the caste system and
advocated for the equality of all people, regardless of caste, creed, or
gender; and
Whereas,
Guru Nanak�s message called for recognizing the entire human race as one and he
openly challenged systems of discrimination and inequality, affirming the equal
worth and dignity of every individual; and
Whereas,
It is altogether fitting and proper for the people of New Jersey to celebrate
Guru Nanak Gurpurab alongside Sikhs throughout the world and to honor the
lasting contributions made by the Sikh community in this State; now, therefore,
����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1.� Each year, the
weekend closest to the day of Guru Nanak Gurpurab in the
month of November, is designated as �Guru Nanak Gurpurab Weekend�
in the
State of New Jersey to honor and celebrate this important holiday in the Sikh
community.
���� 2.� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the weekend
closest to the day of Guru Nanak Gurpurab in New Jersey as �Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Weekend� and to call upon the public officials and citizens of this State to
observe the weekend with appropriate activities and programs.
���� 3. �This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
���� This
resolution designates the weekend closest to the day of Guru Nanak Gurpurab in
the month of November as �Guru Nanak Gurpurab Weekend.�
���� Guru
Nanak founded Sikhism in the Punjab region of India during the 15th century.�
The Sikh spiritual tradition is rooted in the belief that every person,
regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed, is equal before God. �Sikhism is the
world�s fifth largest religion with an estimated 30 million adherents,
approximately one million of whom call the United States home. Guru Nanak
emphasized three core tenets, including meditating and remembering God, earning
an honest living, and sharing with those in need. �His teachings laid the
foundation for the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.� Guru Nanak�s message
called for recognizing the entire human race as one and he openly challenged
systems of discrimination and inequality, affirming the equal worth and dignity
of every individual.