Amritsar –Â Former Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott visited Harmandir Sahib, also known as Golden Temple on November 17, as part of celebrations for the 550th birthday of the religion’s founder, Guru Nanak Dev.
Wearing a bright orange turban, Mr Abbott was seen barefoot at the Golden Temple in Punjab, India, as he joined a large group of men to pray.
He then joined for langar at the Gurdwara Sahib and was seen standing alongside a long sink, helping to wash up with devotees.
Mr Abbott, who is a devout Catholic, told media he was pleased to know the Sikh community were welcoming to people of all faiths.
This is a very holy place,’ he said of Harmandir Sahib.
‘I am myself a proud Catholic, but it is an honour to pay tribute to the One God, to pray to the One God in this wonderful place that has been sanctified by so many hundreds of years of worship.’
Mr Abbott also said that he was also paying tribute to ‘all of the Sikhs and all of the Indian people who have made such a great contribution as citizens of my country‘.
The former PM has spoken often of his love for Sikhs, having travelled around the country in 1981.