By TCN News
Oak Creek, Wisconsin: Terrorist attack on a Gurudwara in Oak Creek in Wisconsin state of the United States has left seven dead and three injured has been quickly and widely condemned by Indian organizations in the United States.
Indian Minorities Advocacy Network (ImanNet) and Muslim Peace Coalition USA have condemned the heinous terrorist attack on Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, WI and the cold-blooded massacre of innocent worshipers.
Dr. Shaik Ubaid, a founding member of both advocacy organizations, ImanNet and MPC-USA, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. He has urged the Muslims to hold special prayer services in this holy month of Ramadan for the victims of the massacre. He has urged mosques and temples to ask for extra police protection and to put security measures in place.
Dr. Ubaid said “The campaign of hatemongering against the religious minorities and immigrants that is being supported by some mainstream politicians has endangered all Americans. Some Hindu extremist groups in the US have joined hands with other Islamophobic hate-peddlers. They should now realize that the hate that they are spreading endangers all South Asians irrespective of their religious backgrounds and will not be limited to hatred against Muslims. Attacks on Muslims and Sikhs are on the rise in the US as a consequence of hate propaganda. The first person who was killed after 9/11 was a Sikh who was mistaken for a Muslim.”
Indian consul from Chicago is in Wisconsin meeting families of the victims and to offer consular assistance.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a statement said they are working with local and federal agencies to investigate this shooting. “While the FBI is investigating whether this matter might be an act of domestic terrorism, no motive has been determined at this time,” read the statement.
Sikh organizations, the Sikh Coalition and the World Sikh Council were also quick to respond to the terrorist incident.
“The Sikh Coalition’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the shooting, the Sikh community of Milwaukee, and the larger community of Wisconsin, which we know will stand with their Sikh neighbors with their support and prayers during this very trying time,” said Executive Director, Sapreet Kaur of The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh American civil rights organization in the U.S.
The Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin was founded in 1997 and had over 400 worshipers that worked and lived in the greater Milwaukee area.
The Sikh Coaliton has been in touch with both the FBI’s Civil Rights Division and the White House and both have promised to continue to be in touch with our staff as they monitor the situation closely. Additionally, the Sikh Coalition is in direct contact with a Trustee of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in order to learn more about the shooting before taking further action.
“There have been multiple hate crime shootings within the Sikh community in recent years and the natural impulse of our community is to unfortunately assume the same in this case. Let’s let law enforcement investigate the case and as new facts emerge the dialogue can change. Americans died today in a senseless act of violence and Americans of all faiths should stand in unified support with their Sikh brothers and sisters,” said Sapreet Kaur.
The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) in its messaged offered its condolences and support to the victims, their families, the law enforcement agencies (especially the police officer shot in the line of duty) and the surrounding community.
“We urge all to pray for the victims, their families and friends, and the surrounding community. We also express our gratitude towards the law enforcement authorities for their prompt and effective response to the situation as it unfolded. We offer our appreciation for the bravery of the police officer shot, offer condolences, and pray that he will recover fully soon. As we learn more about the situation, we will keep the public updated and informed. We thank you for your patience and prayers during these difficult times.”
The World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) is the umbrella organization representative of Sikhs in the United States. It is an elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and institutions. Currently 47 Gurdwaras and other Sikh institutions across the nation are members of WSC-AR.
“Today is a day of mourning for all who value human life and cherish freedom of religion,” said Shaheen Khateeb, President of Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). “An attack on innocent people in a house of worship is an attack on our collective humanity and common values,” added Mr. Khateeb.
Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 13 chapters across the nation.
Links:
http://muslimpeacecoalition.org/
http://www.worldsikhcouncil.org/