Florida, USA: Diverse faiths gather in show of support for Sikhs after Wis. shooting

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"This [shooting] was a crime against humanity. The Quran says that if a person is killed, it's as if the whole of mankind has been killed." [Khalid Minhas, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, FL.]

(AP/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel,Chris Wilson)

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
By James D. Davis | August 7, 2012

SOUTHWEST RANCHES — It was supposed to be a service of mourning for the victims of the Sunday shootings in Wisconsin. But South Florida's Sikh temple became the scene of an outpouring of sympathy and support from a host of civic and religious leaders.

Not only Sikhs but Hindus, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Baha'is and others filled the gurudwara, or temple, for the memorial candlelighting service Monday night. So did law enforcement and government leaders, for a crowd of some 300.

"This is wonderful, we are thankful," said an elated Narinder Jolly, who spoke during the prayer and candlelight service. "And it's because we are personally friends with these people. We are active in the community."

The service was to pray for six members of a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., who were shot dead by a U.S. Armyveteran subsequently killed in a shootout with police. The man, Wade Michael Page, was a member of two racist "skinhead" bands, and was thought to have been a member of a national white supremacist group called the Hammerskins, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Sikhs, whose religion was born in Pakistan and who often wear beards and turbans, are often mistaken for Muslims – and for terrorists.

Monday night, Shaun Pannu came directly from work to the memorial service in Southwest Ranches, although he hadn't attended in a while.

"[The shooter] was looking for someone who looked like my father, like me," said Pannu, son of Daljit Pannu, a founding member of the temple. "When an attack like this happens, it's always personal."

Muslims, too, were represented in the crowd. They included eight members of the Bait-ul-Naseer Mosque in Hallandale Beach.

"This [shooting] was a crime against humanity, said Khalid Minhas of the mosque. "The Quran says that if a person is killed, it's as if the whole of mankind has been killed."

During the service, worshipers prayed and heard hymns in Punjabi from the Guru Granth Sahib. Said one passage, according to Jolly, "No one is an enemy, and no one is a stranger."

Congressman Alcee Hastings, invited to speak Monday night, said he came "not because I'm a a Congress member but because I'm a citizen who is disturbed and concerned." He used the occasion to call for both President Obama and presidential candidate Mitt Romney to help limit the sale of guns.

Other leaders who attended included Davie Mayor Judy Paul, Norman O. Hemming III of the U.S. Attorney's Office, State Attorney Michael Satz and Lt. Wallace Haywood of theBroward Sheriff's Office.

Many came from further away, such as Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser of Temple Beit HaYam, Stuart.

"I had to," the rabbi said. "When a tragedy hits a community — especially a small one like the Sikhs — we Jews know how it feels."

After the formal meeting, those attending lighted candles and walked outside to sing. They then left the candles, still glowing, on a table.

"All the lights have to come together and destroy the darkness," said Nosrat Scott, a Baha'i leader from southwestern Broward.

In his talk, Jolly voiced frustration at the "mistaken identity" in which Americans confuse the customary beards and turbans of Sikhs with those of Muslim terrorists. He and other Sikhs took pains to reassure other Americans that fellow believers share their values, such as monotheism and the equality of genders, classes, races and ethnic groups.

"When you see a person with facial hair and a turban, say, 'Hello, Mr. Singh,'" he said, using a common Sikh surname. "And he will take your hand as a family member, as a fellow human being, as a fellow American."




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