Source: Abbotsford News

http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/news.nsf/RecentNewsHTML/54727563CF1657CA872571E10061D482!OpenDocument

On September 2, 2006 the Abbotsford News reported, "Between 15,000 and 20,000 Sikhs from all over B.C. and beyond are expected to flood the streets of Abbotsford tomorrow for one of the largest and most important annual celebrations of their faith. Sunday roughly marks the 402nd anniversary of the installation of the Sikh holy scriptures, also known as the Shri Guru Granth Sahib. The holy text was compiled in 1604 by the fifth of 10 successive gurus who Sikhs have regarded as their highest spiritual leaders over the past five centuries. 'Sikhs come together on the long weekend to strengthen their belief in the world guru [the holy scripture],' said Tarlochan Singh Randhawa, manager of the Blueridge Drive Temple, the facility behind the festive event. 'It's about togetherness and learning about the teachings of the Guru [Granth] Sahib.' The temple's elders explained that the parade is also about music, food, performances, and bringing people of all faiths together. Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike are more than welcome to join the fun, they said, whether that means watching paraders march through the streets in their colourful traditional garb or sampling some of the free sweet and spicy snacks that will be offered at booths along the route. 'We are highly tolerant people and we believe in live and let live,' said Singh Randhawa, explaining that the entire community is invited to come out and experience the celebration. 'We respect individuality and we love to respect diversity'... Sikhs make up Abbotsford's second largest religious denomination, after Christians, and comprise 13.4 per cent of the city's population, according to the 2001 Census."