Sikh Vigil Held Across From White House To Commemorate Victims Of Wisconsin Tragedy
Sikh Vigils Greet Violence With Peace
Religion News Service
Click through to see photos from the vigil:
Sikh Vigil in DC
WASHINGTON (RNS) In the shadow of the White House, as speakers called for unity, trays of food circulated the audience: wraps, potato chips, and choley chawal, a chickpea and rice dish.
The candlelight vigil for the victims of the Oak Creek, Wis., Sikh temple shooting symbolically completed what a gunman interrupted on Sunday (Aug. 5) -- the langar, a Sikh ritual meal for anyone who wishes to take part.
Advertisement
Wednesday's vigil was one of many nationwide to respond to violence with peace as the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund called for a "National Day of Remembrance and Solidarity."
The attack Sunday "attempted to make Americans afraid of their fellow neighbors, and it is something that the Sikh community has faced time and time again," said Sartaj Singh Dhami, co-director of RestoringThePride.com, a Sikh advocacy group.
"Through resolve, through respect, we will overcome. This is a gift that Sikhs can give to all Americans."
Organizers chose Washington's Lafayette Park for their vigil, across the street from the White House, where its flag stood at half-mast in honor of the six killed and three injured in the attack.
Advertisement
The alleged killer is Wade Michael Page, a 40-year-old Army veteran and former frontman for a white supremacist band. It is speculated that Page mistook Sikhs for Muslims.
Sikh men have been confused for Muslims in the past for keeping their unshorn hair under a turban. Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh gas station owner in Arizona, was gunned down days after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
But hate is wrong no matter who it targets, said anti-Islamophobia activist Khuram Zaman.
"When this first happened, I thought it was important to explain what the difference is," he said, referring to the attack at the Oak Creek temple. "But at the same time, it doesn't really matter what the faith is. It's just wrong to kill people in their place of worship."
Speakers invoked solidarity with members of a Joplin, Mo., mosque, which burned to the ground on Monday. Many believe it was a hate crime. Authorities are investigating.
"The reason for us to be out here is to take a stand against hatred and bigotry that drives people to do what they did, both on Sunday, at the Wisconsin gurdwara (temple) and Monday at the Joplin mosque," said Gursean Singh, who helped organize the vigil.
Advertisement
Speakers emphasized that Sikhism is a peaceful religion that views all people as equal. They said the tragedy presents an opportunity to inform the public about Sikhism, the fifth largest religion in the world.
It is unknown how many Sikhs live in the United States. Estimates range from 200,000 to 700,000.
As gatherers lit one another's candles in the vigil and held a moment of silence, the names of the victims were read. The makeshift langar came to a close.
"The philosophy of our nation is that we're a nation of pluralism, we accept people of different faiths. How I see it, an attack against one is an attack against all," Zaman said.
"When these sorts of incidents happen, the superior response is to respond with wisdom and love, and to have mercy."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.