NEW YORK: Inter-faith groups have condemned the Wisconsin Gurudwara shooting incident, describing it as a “senseless” act of violence on religious freedom and urging the Obama administration to take steps to ensure prevention of hate crimes against religious minorities in the country.
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed solidarity with the families of victims, who were killed and injured in a shooting spree by an unidentified gunman in the Gurudwara in Oak Creek, Milwaukee.
“American Muslims stand with their Sikh brothers and sisters in this time of crisis and loss. We condemn this senseless act of violence, pray for those who were killed or injured and offer sincere condolences to their loved ones,” CAIR said in a statement.
Nevada-based Hindu leader Rajan Zed said the community condemns the attack and stands in solidarity with the Sikhs.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families and the community is deeply saddened at this tragedy. It is a senseless and shocking violence on a group of worshippers,” Zed said.
Sikh advocacy group Sikhs for Justice said that hate crimes have been perpetrated against Sikhs and other religious minorities due to mistaken identity since the September 11 attacks and blamed the Obama administration for failing to take concrete steps to prevent discrimination against minorities.
SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun stressed the need for creating special programs to spread awareness among Americans about religious minorities. The group said it would approach the US Commission on International Religious Freedom to suggest measures that can be taken for protection of religious minorities in the US.
“It is upon the Obama administration to take concrete measures to prevent future hate crimes against Sikhs or any other religious minority. These attacks have cultivated deep sense of insecurity among the American Sikh community,” Pannun said.
SFJ lauded the brave and prompt action taken by the police officer who shot the gunman. The group announced a cash award of 10,000 dollars for the officer.
The New York chapter of the Association of Indian in America (AIA-NY) said Sikhs have made tremendous contributions to the American growth story.
The chapter’s president Ranju Batra said the American flag should be flown at half-mast to “grieve what appears to be a senseless act of violence and an attack upon religious freedom being exercised in a house of worship.”
The strong Indian American community went into a state of shock after the incident.
“The Sikh American community, like all Americans, is shocked after this attack,” said the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) managing director Kavneet Singh.
“We mourn the loss of those who were killed today and pray for the swift recovery of those injured, including the veteran police officer who put himself in harm’s way to protect his community,” Singh said.
“This attack is particularly troubling due to its occurrence at a place of worship. Attacks at any of the nation’s houses of worship must be condemned by all Americans.
This type of crime strikes at the very foundation of religious freedom, among the fundamental principles upon which this country was built,” he said.
Shocked and deeply saddened by the senseless shooting, the World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) urged all to pray for the victims, their families and friends, and the surrounding community.
“This is a troubling day, not only for Sikh-Americans, but also for all Americans,” said WSC-AR chairperson Satpal Singh.
“In the coming days, along with Sikh advocacy organizations, we will be working with public officials, and law enforcement authorities, to understand the events of today and to help the community in whatever way we can,” he said.
“The Council will also be providing support mediums for our inter-religious partners and the public as we sort out this situation. This shooting comes on the heels of another tragedy, as our country continues to recover from the senseless shootings in Aurora, Colorado,” Singh said.
United Sikhs said it has set up a Task Force to work with law enforcement agencies in the USA to ensure that the Sikh community is reassured of its safety and extended its National Helpline at 1-855-US-Umeed for the Wisconsin Gurdwara incident victims.
It also called on the Sikh community to be vigilant and to step up security without causing an alarm but by being on alert.
South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) said it is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred today at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.
Condemning the shooting, SAALT extended its deepest sympathy to the victims, who included priests, congregants, and law enforcement personnel, and their loved ones.
“While the facts are still emerging, this event serves as a tragic reminder of violence in the form of hate crimes that Sikhs and many members of the South Asian community have frequently endured since September 11th, 2001,” SAALT said.
The Sikh Coalition said there have been multiple hate crime shootings within the Sikh community in recent years and the natural impulse of the community is to unfortunately assume the same in this case.
“The Sacramento Sikh Community, like our brother and sisters across the country, is dismayed to learn of the horrible tragedy unfolding in the Milwaukee area today,” said Darshan Mundy, Sacramento Sikh Temple Public Information Officer.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council offered its condolences to the Sikh community and reached out to its partners at the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and The Sikh Coalition in Washington, and New York to offer its sympathies and assistance.
“We stand united with our brothers and sister of faith,” it said. -PTI
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