Iowa Sikhs React to Wisconsin Sikh Temple Shooting: 'We Are a Peaceful People'
There is a feeling among some Iowa Sikhs that the tragic shooting at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin today was connected to a mistaken belief that Sikh are Muslim.
The young person at the Sikh Temple of Iowa in West Des Moines says he is like a lot of other kids, it's just that he happens to be Sikh and, thus, wears a turban.
But that youngster, Jeevanjot Singh, who is 12 and attends Jordan Creek Elementary School, is an especially bright kid with some especially keen insight about the shooting that left seven dead at another Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
"It's tragic, and probably a misconception of who we are," he said Sunday following the news out of Oak Creek, WI. "I think it's because of the turbans, and the stereotype that people who wear turbans are Muslim, and after 9/11, people think Muslims are bad."
Jeevanjot is not alone in that feeling.
"People don't spare even places of worship," Jagtar Singh, 67, said on Sunday. "If people have misconceptions about who Sikhs are, they should know we are a peaceful people. We believe in one God."
Singh is a past president of the leadership board of the Sikh Temple of Iowa, which has been here in West Des Moines since 1999. It is tucked amid houses in a residential area of the city, housed in a one-story brick building with an orange flag bearing the Sikh symbol hanging above the entry and a white picket fence in the yard.
Singh said he learned of the shooting, in which a gunman and six others died, in Oak Creek, a suburb of Milwaukee, when he arrived shortly before weekly services at 11:30 a.m. About 60-70 people attended the service, which went on as usual.
Following the service, worshipers gathered for a vegetarian meal called a "langer," which included vegetables, yogurt and a flat bread called "roti."
"How can this happen in a religious place?" asked Baljit Singh Virdi, 44, now on the temple's management board. "This is a place where you beg something from God. The people who do these kinds of things, why do they do this?
"Either they are evil or they have mental issues."
The Sikh Temple of Iowa will have a special prayer service in a couple days in response to the tragedy, he said.
As for Jeevanjot, he's already made up his mind how he'll deal with the shooting.
"I won't fight it," he said. "I won't get angry. I'll just pray that it won't happen again."
Karl
9:02 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Baljit Singh Virdi is a friend/co-worker of the past 10 years and one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever known. To speak with him for even 5 minutes is to recognize and appreciate the peace that exists within.
While I know religion is not a determiner of good, with Baljit I'd wager it is part of the person you see. To think something and simple/pure as a turban led to his fellow Sikh being killed is very sad. I'll be sure to offer my condolences to Baljit on Monday.
David Leonard
8:59 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
What do you suppose would be happening today if a Sikh had walked into a Christian church yesterday and murdered six people?
Troy Murphy
9:04 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
David, what is your point, there would be outrage and stories about what a peaceful religion Sikh is and everyone would wonder what caused the man to do such horrendous things and if it was religiously motivated. Pretty much the exact hing we are seeing now.
Jagtar Singh
7:42 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Let us not indulge in unhealthy dialogue about what would be or should be at this point in time. We should all pray for peace to the departed souls and condolences to the bereaved families. Imagine yourself in the shoes of those families. Vigilance and pro-active steps to be taken to avoid such senseless acts to any community or religious or non-religious group.
Jagtar Singh
Todd Richissin
7:47 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I'm with Jagtar, 100%. And thanks to all at the Sikh Temple of Iowa who made me feel so welcome Sunday at a difficult time.