WASHINGTON: US Attorney General Eric Holder has been honoured by the Sikh community in America for his “exemplary service” to them during the “challenging times”, especially after the 2012 attack on a Gurdwara in Wisconsin.

64-year-old Holder was presented with a siropa (a robe of honour) and a Sewa Service Award by the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) of Rockville, Maryland and National Sikh Centre (NSC) of Washington at a ceremony here yesterday at the Justice Department.

He was also presented with an honorary plaque and a book on Sikhs, a phulkari, a traditional Punjabi embroidered shawl with bright floral craft.

Holder thanked the Sikh community for the honour. “Felt that there is no one more deserving than Holder, who has contributed tremendously towards the betterment of the Sikhs in the US,” said Inder Paul Singh Gadh, Chairman of GGSF board.

“We are very grateful to the Attorney General for his exemplary service to the nation and for his positive role in assuring that all communities, including the Sikh community, are safe during the challenging times especially in the aftermath of the terrible shooting at the Oak Creek Gurdwara,” said Rajwant Singh, Secretary GGSF.