Mayor Simon Yu has declared December to be Christian Heritage Month in Prince George

By Tommy Osborne

Christian heritage Month

“We are all children of God:” Mayor Simon Yu declares December Christian Heritage Month

Nov 25, 2024 | 5:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Prince George Mayor Simon Yu has declared this December in Prince George to be Christian Heritage Month. This declaration was made independently of the City of Prince George or City Council, and Yu says he hopes it can be a way to celebrate many of our community members.

“We as a community have a large population here in town that belongs to a Christian Community, we have a lot of churches, to have a month dedicated to celebrating our faith, I think it’s a good thing to strengthen the community through the people’s belief, which is a good thing,” Yu said.

When asked if there was any concern about potentially appearing to favour one religion over another with the declaration of Christian Heritage Month, Yu said that is absolutely not his intention. He says this declaration is meant to be a celebration not just of Christian community members, but

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“We should never mix politics with religion. I mean, it is our democratic tradition, we separate the state from the religion. But having said that, that does not means that we have to not celebrate the various religions that exist in this community. We have 62 different languages spoken.I’m sure there at least will be 20 or 30 different religions being practiced here,” Yu said.

“Through this celebration, we actually want to strengthen each other’s freedom of worshiping. It’s not trying to say we are siding with any one religion, no, not at all. Especially not in the city of Prince George, where we celebrate diversity, inclusiveness,” he continued.

As for other religious groups in Prince George, the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society says it respects the Mayor’s declaration, and while the Sikh faith celebrates the Martyrdom of the Sahibzadas in late December, the declaration of December being Christian Heritage Month is not an issue.

“There is no problem with our community, we’re fully cooperating that month of heritage,” said Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, a Priest at the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society.

“We are definitely not here in the city of Prince George, as long as I’m the mayor, to promote one religion over the other, or to cause frictions. No, we are all children of God,” Yu said.

As for the Martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, Dhillon explained this is a very important celebration for the Sikh faith, as it commemorates the martyrdom of two children, and this act would go on to keep the Sikh faith alive. Dhillon said the Gurdwara will of course celebrate that, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t respect the other celebrations and other religious events. In fact, Dhillon says it’s quite the opposite, as he says the main message he and the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society want to convey is accepting everyone and respect for all.

“Love for all, hate for none, respect other communities as a whole,” Dhillon said.

Mayor Yu added he would definitely consider declaring other months as religious heritage months if the request were made.

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