Shooting at Milwaukee gurdwara condemned

by Punjabnewswire4u 

 INDIANAPOLIS, AUG 6

Countless Americans, faith leaders including the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis, civic leaders, Honorable Greg Ballard's office, Honorable Governor Mitch Daniels, Home land Security Officials, law enforcement officials, and others have shared expression of sympathies and solidarity over the shooting at a Sikh Temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday. The shooting incident claimed six lives and wounded others.  The members of the Sikh Temple here knew several of the victims.
“Along with the entire Sikh world, we in Indiana are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life at the Sikh Gurdwara in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday,” reacted Indianapolis Sikh Community leader Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh.
“Any loss of innocent life is a sad event. When it happens at a place of worship where people peacefully gather for prayer, to offer thanks, and to celebrate special events and blessings, then it is a grave tragedy. The shooting in Milwaukee Sikh Temple was an act of senseless outrage against innocent people that has shattered many lives.
“As many have expressed that we must work to dispel this darkness of mistaken identity, unprovoked violence, and hate crimes against people that are different from us and our experiences. The first most important task is to educate ourselves to be effective spokespersons and open the lines of communication with other faiths, civic leaders, educational leaders, and law enforcement officials to advance our common visions and commitments to life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness”.

Mr Singh, who is artist and author, told the Indianapolis Star that he could not believe “that a place of worship where people gather for blessings and prayer to a higher spirit should become a place of unprovoked violence.”

After the shooting incident, Homeland Security Director Gary Coons contacted Mr Singh and informed him positioning of a security officer at the Sikh temple and regular patrolling of the area. Mr Coon also advised Mr Singh for installation of security cameras inside and outside of the gurdwara.

Indianapolis Star quoted Mr Singh as saying “preventing violent acts requires a communitywide effort.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been devastated by the tragedy and for members of the Sikh community worldwide that are hurting today, said Mr Singh.
Governor Daniels issued this statement about Sunday's shootings in Wisconsin:

 "Any attack of such brutality angers and saddens us, but the murders in Milwaukee yesterday were especially heartbreaking and ironic.  I have long known many members of Indiana's Sikh community; I have attended services at their temple.  They are among the most productive and communitarian of all our citizens and theirs is a faith of gentleness and toleration.  I know the hearts of Hoosiers are with those directly harmed and with their Sikh brethren here among us, for whose daily practice of loyal citizenship we are deeply grateful."

 Meanwhile, Hindus have condemned the mass shooting at Sikh Temple of Wisconsin (USA) on August 5 and offered condolences to the victims.

 Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said: Our hearts go out to the victims and their families and the community is deeply saddened at this tragedy.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged Hindus worldwide to join him in prayers for the victims and their families at this difficult and challenging time and urged Hindu temples to hold special prayer sessions for the victims and their families.  It was a senseless and shocking violence on a group of worshippers.

 Mourning this loss, Rajan Zed pointed out that Sikhs had made lot of contributions to America and the world. Various faith and inter-faith groups nationwide should join hands to express support to the Sikh community and to spread the message of peace, love and harmony at grassroots level, Zed stressed.

We stand in solidarity with the Sikh brothers and sisters, Zed added.

Emeritus Professor and Chair, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, U. North Texas, Harbans Lal  said “Thank you for your sharing our grief on the brutal killing in the Milwaukee Sikh place of worship that was built to say prayers for the well-being of all humanity. This time Sikhs were targeted but then it could be any other faith community at any other time. This fear is very disturbing to us and to all peace loving Americans.
This event and many others after 9/11 tell us how little our neighbors know about their neighbors who aren't like them.  A positive response that seems most productive may be to expedite public efforts of inter-religious engagements within and among our neighbors throughout North America. Only education can dispel ignorance.”