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Good morning. Imagine that you are amongst thousands summoned to an audience with the True King. People have travelled from all over the country to be here, and there is a strong sense of anticipation when he finally emerges from his tent. He asks for somebody willing to sacrifice all that they have to step forward. He makes that call several times before someone decides it’s their duty to stand up. That person walks through the crowds and make his way to the tent. Four others join him soon afterwards and also give that supreme sacrifice, unaware of the significance of what they are doing. By the end of the day, they have collectively become the True King’s closest confidants, his Five Beloved Ones. Now you could be mistaken for thinking this is the premise of a new historical novel. I am in fact talking about the birth of the Khalsa, which is being celebrated this week by Sikhs around the world as the festival of Vaisakhi. In the late 17th century, the region of Punjab was going through challenging times, with religious intolerance on the rise and attacks against minorities growing by the day. The 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, known to followers as the True King, wanted to ensure that Sikhs would be willing to stand up and defend all communities from such attacks, regardless of who they were. The foundation of the Khalsa created an inner core to the Sikh faith, one with a distinct visible identity that would uphold justice and step into the fray, whatever the risk. The Guru was so convinced of the importance of the Khalsa that he asked the Five Beloved Ones to allow him to join their ranks. The Guru himself became the disciple, and was subject to any orders from the Five Beloved Ones. Over the centuries, Sikhs have looked to this ideal of the Khalsa for inspiration. It’s the belief that we must do what is right and just, no matter what dangers may lay ahead for ourselves. It is one thing to talk about importance of human rights, but quite another to be willing to put yourself in harm’s way to defend others. This idea of the supreme sacrifice may seem anachronistic to us, and yet we saw that very spirit embodied by the brave actions three weeks ago of PC Keith Palmer, whose funeral took place yesterday at Southwark Cathedral. His death in the line of duty was heroic and humbling, and it had a profound effect on many of us across the country. One of the 10th Guru’s compositions expresses the desire “that I may never deviate from doing a good deed, that I shall not fear when I go into combat.” This is a very holy week for Sikhs as well as several other religions, but these words will surely resonate far and wide.