History of Hate: Crimes Against Sikhs Since 9/11

Members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin react at a news conference at Oak Creek Centennial church in Oak Creek, Wis. on Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Officials and witnesses said a gunman walked into the temple on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 and opened fire as several dozen people prepared for Sunday morning services. Six were killed, and three were critically wounded. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

The mass shooting of a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Wisconsin on Sunday is merely the latest chapter in a history of violence. In the months following the attacks of 9/11, more than 300 incidences of hate crimes against Sikhs were reported, according to the Sikh Coalition (PDF).

Though their numbers make up the world's fifth-largest religion, Sikhs are still misunderstood (No, they are not Muslims or Hindus). Below is a round up of notable hate crimes and bias incidents against Sikhs since 9/11. (H/t Buzz Feed.)

Sept. 15, 2001 -- Mesa, Ariz.: Four days after the infamous attacks of 9/11, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a 49-year-old Sikh, is shot and killed outside the gas station he owned by Frank Silva Roque. When police approached to arrest him, Roque says, “I'm a patriot and an American. I'm American. I'm a damn American.” [More from HuffPost.]

Nov. 18, 2001 -- Palermo, N.Y.: Three teens burn down Gobind Sadan, a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in New York, because they thought it was named for Osama bin Laden. [More from BeliefNet and Tribune of India.]

Dec. 12, 2001 -- Los Angeles, Calif.: Surinder Singh Sidhi, a liquor store owner in Los Angeles who took to wearing an American flag turban after 9/11 out of fear of being attacked, is beaten in his store by two men who accuse of him of being Osama bin Laden. [More from Real Sikhism.]

Aug. 6, 2002 -- Daly City, Calif.: Sukhpal Singh, brother of Balbir Singh Sodhi, who was the first Sikh murdered following 9/11, is shot while driving his cab. [More from HuffPost, Real Sikhism and Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.]

May 20, 2003 -- Phoenix, Ariz.: Fifty-two-year-old Sikh immigrant and truck driver Avtar Singh is shot in his 18-wheeler while waiting for his son to pick him up. As he is being shot, he hears someone say: “Go back to where you belong.” [More from Real Sikhism.]

Aug. 5, 2003 -- Queens, N.Y.: Members of a Sikh family are beaten outside of their home by drunk individuals yelling, "Go back to your country, Bin Laden." [More from NY Daily News.]

Sept. 25, 2003 -- Tempe, Ariz.: Sukhvir Singh, a 33-year-old convenience store owner, is stabbed to death by Bruce Phillip Reed. It is not labeled as a hate crime. Representatives of the Phoenix Sikh community issue a statement that says, in part, “Together we can help others to evolve past hate and fear by continuing to organize to reach out to others with increased understanding, respect, and support. May our collective prayer be that God preserve and protect the honor of all people, our nation, and our world.” [More from the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund and SikhNet.]

March 13, 2004 -- Fresno, Calif.: Gurdwara Sahib, a local Sikh temple, is vandalized with graffiti messages: “Rags Go Home” and “It’s Not Your Country. [More from SALDEF and Real Sikhism.]

July 12, 2004 -- New York, N.Y.: Rajinder Singh Khalsa and Gurcharan Singh, cousins on their way to dinner at a restaurant, are beaten by two drunk white twentysomething men. The attackers describe Gurcharan’s turban as a “curtain.” When Rajinder tries to intervene, saying that Sikhs are peaceful, he is beaten unconscious and suffers a fractured eye socket, among other injuries. [More from Real Sikhism.]

May 24, 2007 -- Queens, N.Y.: A 15-year-old student has his hair forcibly cut by an older student at his high school. The scissor-wielding 17-year-old showed the Sikh a ring inscribed with Arabic, saying, “This ring is Allah. If you don't let me cut your hair, I will punch you with this ring.” Afterward, he cuts the younger boy’s hair. A main pillar of the Sikh faith compels followers to keep their hair uncut. [More from Real Sikhism and United Sikhs.]

May 30, 2007 -- Joliet, Ill.: A decorated U.S. Navy veteran of the Gulf War, Kuldip Singh Nag is approached by a police officer outside of his home for an expired vehicle registration tag. The officer reportedly assaults Nag with pepper spray while hurling expletive-laced anti-immigrant statements. [More from SALDEF and ABC7 News. ]

Jan. 14, 2008 -- New Hyde Park, N.Y.: A 63-year-old Sikh, Baljeet Singh, has his jaw and nose broken when attacked outside his temple by a man who lived next-door. David Wood, the attacker, had apparently disturbed members of the gurdwara in the past. [More from United Sikhs.]

Feb. 28, 2008 -- Bryan, Texas: A Sikh man is assaulted in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Though the assailant called him a terrorist, punched him in the face and head and knocked his turban off, the Sikh man does not suffer major injuries. [More from SALDEF.]

June 5, 2008 -- Queens, N.Y.: A ninth grade Sikh is attacked by another student, who tried to remove his patka, or under-turban, and had a history of bullying the boy. [More from Real Sikhism and United Sikhs.]

June 5, 2008 -- Albuquerque, N.M.: A vehicle belonging to a Sikh family is defaced with the message “F*** Allah!” and a picture of male genitalia. [More from SALDEF.]

Aug. 4, 2008 -- Phoenix, Ariz.: Inderjit Singh Jassal is shot and killed while working at a 7-Eleven. No clear motive is found. [More from SALDEF and The Arizona Republic.]

Oct. 29, 2008 -- Carteret, N.J.: A Sikh man, Ajit Singh Chima, goes for a walk in his neighborhood. He is attacked by a man who casually leaves the scene afterward. Nothing is stolen. [More from SALDEF.]

Jan. 30, 2009 -- Queens, N.Y.: Three men attack Jasmir Singh outside of a grocery store. Racial slurs are heard. A broken glass bottle is used. Singh loses vision in his left eye. [More from NY Daily News and United Sikhs.]

Nov. 29, 2010 -- Sacramento, Calif.: Harbhajan Singh, a cab driver, is a attacked by passangers, who call him Osama bin Laden. Singh believes the attackers, who were later convicted, would have killed him. [More from SALDEF.]

March 6, 2011 -- Elk Grove, Calif.: Two elderly Sikh men in traditional garb, out for a daily afternoon walk, are shot and killed. The perpetrator is not found. [More from Southern Poverty Law Center, SALDEF and The Sacramento Bee.]

May 30, 2011 -- New York, N.Y.: Jiwan Singh, an MTA worker and the father of Jasmir Singh, who was assaulted in early 2009 in Queens, is attacked on the A train and accused of being related to Osama bin Laden. [More from the NY Daily News.]

Feb. 6, 2012 -- Sterling Heights, Mich.: A gurdwara (Sikh temple) is defaced with graffiti that includes a gun and references to 9/11. [More from SALDEF.]

Aug. 5, 2012 -- Oak Creek, Wis.: A gunman is shot dead by police after he opened fire in a gurdwara during Sikh prayer services, killing six. [More from HuffPost.]

Report hate crimes and bias incidents to the United Sikhs. Learn about hate crime laws from the Sikh Coalition.

Check out a collection of Sikh prayers for healing, hope and strength...

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• You are the Ocean of Water, and I am Your fish. Your Name is the drop of water, and I am a thirsty rainbird. You are my hope, and You are my thirst. My mind is absorbed in You. Just as the baby is satisfied by drinking milk, and the poor person is pleased by seeing wealth, and the thirsty person is refreshed by drinking cool water, so is this mind drenched with delight in the Lord. Just as the darkness is lit up by the lamp, and the hopes of the wife are fulfilled by thinking about her husband, and people are filled with bliss upon meeting their beloved, so is my mind imbued with the Lord's Love. The Saints have set me upon the Lord's Path. By the Grace of the Holy Saint, I have been attuned to the Lord. The Lord is mine, and I am the slave of the Lord. O Nanak, the Guru has blessed me with the True Word of the Shabad. - Guru Arjan

• By Guru's Grace, my mind is attached to the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Asleep for so many incarnations, it is now awakened. I chant the Ambrosial Bani, the Glorious Praises of God. The Pure Teachings of the Perfect Guru have been revealed to me. Meditating in remembrance on God, I have found total peace. Within my home, and outside as well, there is peace and poise all around. I have recognized the One who created me. Showing His Mercy, God has blended me with Himself. Taking me by the arm, He has made me His Own. I continually chant and meditate on the Sermon of the Lord, Har, Har. Mantras, tantras, all-curing medicines and acts of atonement, are all in the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, the Support of the soul and the breath of life. I have obtained the true wealth of the Lord's Love. I have crossed over the treacherous world-ocean in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Sit in peace, O Saints, with the family of friends. Earn the wealth of the Lord, which is beyond estimation. He alone obtains it, unto whom the Guru has bestowed it. O Nanak, no one shall go away empty-handed. -Guru Arjan

• You Yourself are the ocean and the boat. You Yourself are this shore, and the one beyond. O All-knowing Lord, You are the True Way. The Shabad is the Navigator to ferry us across. One who does not fear God shall live in fear; without the Guru, there is only pitch darkness. - Guru Nanak

• One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: The Pandit - the religious scholar - recites the Shaastras and the Simritees; the Yogi cries out, ""Gorakh, Gorakh"". But I am just a fool - I just chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. I do not know what my condition shall be, Lord. O my mind, vibrate and meditate on the Name of the Lord. You shall cross over the terrifying world-ocean. - Guru Ram Das

• By Guru's Grace, my mind is attached to the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Asleep for so many incarnations, it is now awakened. I chant the Ambrosial Bani, the Glorious Praises of God. The Pure Teachings of the Perfect Guru have been revealed to me. Meditating in remembrance on God, I have found total peace. Within my home, and outside as well, there is peace and poise all around. I have recognized the One who created me. Showing His Mercy, God has blended me with Himself. Taking me by the arm, He has made me His Own. I continually chant and meditate on the Sermon of the Lord, Har, Har. Mantras, tantras, all-curing medicines and acts of atonement, are all in the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, the Support of the soul and the breath of life. I have obtained the true wealth of the Lord's Love. I have crossed over the treacherous world-ocean in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Sit in peace, O Saints, with the family of friends. Earn the wealth of the Lord, which is beyond estimation. He alone obtains it, unto whom the Guru has bestowed it. O Nanak, no one shall go away empty-handed. - Guru Arjan

• Jaitsree Ninth Mehl: O Dear Lord, please, save my honor! The fear of death has entered my heart; I cling to the Protection of Your Sanctuary, O Lord, ocean of mercy. I am a great sinner, foolish and greedy, but not, at last, I have grown weary of committing sins. I cannot forget the fear of dying; this anxiety is consuming my body. I have been trying to liberate myself, running around in the ten directions. The pure, immaculate Lord abides deep within my heart but I do not understand the secret of His mystery. I have no merit, and I know nothing about meditation or austerities; what should I do now? O Nanak, I am exhausted; I seek the shelter of Your Sanctuary; O God, please bless me with the gift of fearlessness. Hukamnama 2:3 via http://www.sikhnet.com/hukam

• To the entire sangat at Kabul. The Guru will protect the Sangat, I am pleased with you all. You should take baptism by the sword, from the Five Beloveds. Keep your hair uncut for this is a seal of the Guru, Accept the use of shorts and a sword. Always wear IRON KARA on your wrist, Keep your hair clean and comb it twice a day. Do not eat Halal (Kosher) meat, Do not use tobacco in any form, Have no connection with those who kill their daughters Or permit the cutting of their children's hair. Do not associate with Meenas, Massands and Ram-raiyas (anti-Sikh cults) Recite the Guru's hymns Meditate on "The Name of our Wonderful Lord", Follow the Sikh code of discipline I give the entire sangat my blessing) -Jasbir Singh and Harbans Singh in Advanced Studies in Sikhism

• One who calls himself a Disciple of the Guru, the True Guru, Shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name. Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar. Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of God. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased. Then, at sunrise, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting or standing, He is to meditate on God's Name. One who meditates on God with every breath and morsel of food -that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind. That person, unton whom my Lord is compassionate -upon the GurSkih, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed. Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSkih, Who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. via Sikhee.com

• "Without the Word of the Guru's Shabad, liberation is not obtained; practicing hypocrisy, they wander around confused" - Guru Nanak Dev Ji

• The Words, the Teachings of the Holy Saints, are Ambrosial Nectar. Whoever meditates on the Lord's Name is emancipated; he chants the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, with his tongue. The pains and sufferings of the Dark Age of Kali Yuga are eradictated, when the One Name abides within the mind. I apply the dust of the feet of the Holy to my face and forehead. Nanak has been saved, in the Sanctuary of the Guru, the Lord. Hukamnama 2 - 31- 37 Via Oxfordsikhs.com

• O Lord, protect me with Your Hand, thus my heart's desire be fulfilled. May my mind ever seek the refuge of Your Feet, and You sustain me as Your very Own. Lord! destroy all my enemies [diseased passions, instincts, impulses, evil thoughts and protect me with Your Hand. Thus make my house-hold servants and followers rest in peace. O Lord, extend Your Personal protection to me and kill all my enemies here and now [refers to our countless inner enemies. May my this wish be fulfilled and I ever yearn to reflect my mind on You. Lord, Bless me that I should never abandon You and think of any one else. Whatever boons I seek I should obtain from You. Liberate all my servants and followers, pick each and every one and destroy them, who are obstacles in my well being. Pray, ferry me across, giving me Your Hand, and destroy the fear of death in me. O Mighty Lord of the Sword (All Wisdom), be ever at my back, and protect me. - excerpted from Chaupai Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh

Comments

[Dread Man]

11:26 PM on 03/19/2013

Shockerrr is such a Wolf ..... and he was here... Why is there no Osama bin laden reward?

[Dread Man]

11:15 PM on 03/19/2013

Why is there no reward money for information that leads to the capture or killing of Osama Bin Laden? Honor would demand it. Even a small fraction of it.

Is it a southern white thing? Had to be a member of the Klan? The Tea Party?

"Real Americans"?

[3LitCandle]

04:29 AM on 09/14/2012

As an American citizen and an Army veteran I am saddened at the ignorance of the few. To all Sikh readers: You are welcome here in America! We love and respect your tradition. Please know that most of us are not so ignorant. We appreciate the diversity you add to our culture.

[Martin Farr]

05:45 PM on 08/13/2012

No one who is in their right mind can be anything but appalled and disgusted by this example of pure unadulterated evil.To go from this act of madness to printing lists of "hate crimes" and apportioning blame to whoever we might sincerely believe is responsible is just crass and ignorant.Let's give this community time to morn and reflect..

[The Mad Guesser]

09:45 PM on 08/12/2012

It won't work to say that Sikhs have harmless beliefs which if understood, all would be well. Like street gangs kill over red and blue, it's fashion, not doctrine, that stokes the rage of religious wars. In reality, nobody hates anyone's religious beliefs, since nobody even understands their own religion beliefs let alone anyone else's. Christians speak in Latin or ancient Gibberish to dress up their rhetoric like the Emperor's New Clothes, without communicating a dogma besides put money in the plate and feel good. Religious scholars debate doctrine, but the differences the masses perceive are the100% visual; so like a bull seeing a red cape, the mere sight of a colorful turban, a scary ghost dance, or a skull cap, will spark hardwired homicidal rages, with imaginary belief-differences used as excuses for indulging in this impulsive acting out. If only all religious leaders agreed to wear the exact same garb, the genetic tinderbox of fashion jealousy would subside, as it would be like prescribing thousand Valiums.

[phoenyxangel]

02:33 AM on 08/10/2012

Dear god. It's so sad that people not only wanted to attack Muslims (for a crime they did not actually commit) but they ended up attacking people of a completely different religion out of ignorance. This is facepalm worthy.

[Tyler Stocks]

11:04 PM on 08/09/2012

This is so sad that communities are ravaged by such hateful and heartless people. Extremism and Radical religiosity causes tremendous violence and harms our humanity. These people in the Sikh community did nothing to deserve this and nothing would ever warrant such atrocities. My heart goes out to these people, although I may be a Christian, you are my brothers and sisters and I love you as Jesus my spiritual teacher told me to love. I love the spiritual teachers and wisdom of your religion as well. We all belong together and must learn to co-exist. Peace and blessings!

[Tyler Stocks]

11:35 PM on 08/09/2012

“Harmonize us Oh Spirit”
By: Tyler P. Stocks
Universally exists the search for meaning the necessity to belong
War and calamity religious imperialism, systems made to coerce with violence or wealth have oppressed us too long. Hunger and Poverty seem to be the daily norm while for others it’s a life of privilege and prosperity. Engulfed and destroyed in the blindness of self indulgence allows for absolutely no solidarity. An eye for an eye, liberal, conservative, politics and absolutism seem to dominate it all.Even though we live among one another in such a beautiful creation, we seem to forget our call.The call to justice, the call to inclusion where the initiative becomes liberation from dogma .Where action expresses priorities, and instead of talking of change we do something about the problems we face Where the lion lies down with the lamb, we provide clean water, sustainable education and a future for others and become Communities of grace. Let us harmonize oh spirit, let us connect with creation with one another regardless of faith or tradition. Let us customize your handiwork into a beautiful quest for meaning and truth, your true rendition. So the next time we reach for anything other than harmony, align us oh spirit through our own spiritual teachers to not only be philosophical but activists in this broken sphere on earth. Wash us and purify us in our fragile finite humanity, awaken us and call us to arise, and feel a new birth

[tallndumb]

10:20 PM on 08/09/2012

This is horrible. Americans truly have no idea how many hate attacks there have been as they are not deemed sensational enough. This should be brought to the attention of the average American.

[sfgiants25]

04:07 PM on 08/09/2012

American xenophobia at it's finest. This is just a sad reflection of how a lot of people in this country view and treat people who aren't Anglo-Saxon and/or Christian. It is no way PATRIOTIC to attack innocent citizens of this country just because you THINK they are Muslim, or connected to terrorists...I don't really understand the thought process of these disgusting, hate-filled fear-mongers.

I suppose I'm just fortunate to be from a part of this country which is very diverse ethnically and religiously. And to be from a family that has always been accepting of different races and cultures.

[fuster]

07:06 PM on 08/09/2012

7% of the reported hate crimes against Sikhs occur in the US and from that you conclude that it's all about "American xenophobia '.......?

[sfgiants25]

07:47 PM on 08/09/2012

I never said America was the only xenophobic population. We, however, should hold ourselves to a higher standard. Isn't that what people love about the United States? "Land of the free"?

[sfgiants25]

07:50 PM on 08/09/2012

Also...since you want to throw around statistics...America has only 1.05% of the TOTAL world's Sikh population, yet 7% of all hate crimes committed against them. See, anyone can produce statistics tailor made to suit their argument.

[Myoho Mod]

04:05 PM on 08/09/2012

While the Sikhs are not aggressive, saying they are peaceful is a fallacy. Sikhs are a warrior culture (http://www.harisingh.com/newsSikhWarriors.htm)

[MJinCanada]

04:14 PM on 08/09/2012

There is a difference between "peaceful" and "pacifist."

[rajdeepkaur]

05:41 AM on 12/06/2012

The Sikh warrior is only one specific way of looking at Sikhism. Sikhs are taught how to fight in a Martial art called Gathka. It is purely a self defense mechanism and in no way promotes violence. It was mainly used 500 years ago when the religion was barely forming as a way for Sikhs to defend themselves from the cruel Mughals and other enemies. Today it is used as a form of expressive art and also still used as self defense :) We were taught by our tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, to calm situations down and try to prevent violence but if all means fail, pull out a sword.

[Jetflyer]

11:33 AM on 08/09/2012

I have been fortunate in my job to have travelled around the world and must say that I find many people here in the USA are completely ignorant of what goes on outside of the USA. Have very little knowledge of geography and have a paranonia about other countries, their people and customs.

[Cindbird]

10:00 AM on 08/09/2012

It breaks my heart that these peaceful people have been so harmed by the very place they thought would bring them freedom. They have been attacked and killed for their faith. And we call ourselves a "religiously open and free" nation.

[Louise Brown M]

08:52 AM on 08/09/2012

I apologize for the hateful people that call themselves Americans. Most of us are really very loving and kind. Hatred is exhausting.

[janmarbol]

07:27 AM on 08/09/2012

“I'm a patriot and an American. I'm American. I'm a damn American.”

His name? Frank Silva Roque. How is that name any more American than Singh? Now if your name is Chief Spirit Warrior Lives in Woods, that's another story... When will these bloody people get that they have no more right to this land than the next dude. We already stole it once.

I hope the Sikhs find some peace. I'm so sorry that ignorance was the cause of this senseless and horrible crime.

[ttsgw]

01:06 AM on 08/09/2012

Of course, hate, revenge, inhumanity and intolerance are the main virtues of conservative America, and will so remain as long as they remain Christian.