By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Muslims, Christians and Jews joined the Sikh community last week at a candlelight vigil at the Sikh Sabha of New Jersey temple on Bakers Basin Road to mourn the six Sikhs who were shot to death Aug. 5 in Wisconsin.
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, state Assemblyman Daniel Benson (14th Legislative District) and Mayor Jim Kownacki were among the 400-plus people who attended the Aug. 8 prayer service and memorial for the five men and one woman who died in the Oak Creek, Wisc., shootings.
Worshipers filed in and out of the sanctuary during the prayer service. Women sat on one side of the room and men on the other side. All sat on the ground shoe-less and with their heads covered and listened as the three Sikh priests chanted prayers. Some worshipers wore white T-shirts that said “United,” which were handed out prior to the service.
Raminder Bindra, who served as the master of ceremonies, welcomed the Sikh community and the guests. He thanked the non-Sikh visitors for their display of support for the Sikh community, adding that it demonstrated that “we are all part of the same American fabric.”
”We feel like this is the United Sikhs of America,” Mr. Bindra said of the support and solidarity shown to the Sikh community by other Americans since the Aug. 5 incident. Then, he read the names and offered a brief description of the victims while their photographs were projected onto a screen.
Mr. Bindra also called on the worshipers to pray for the injured, including police Lt. Brian Murphy, who is recovering after he was shot several times by gunman Wade Michael Page. The gunman killed himself after being shot by one of the responding police officers.
Mayor Kownacki led off the dignitaries who wanted to speak.
”We are united in this,” Mayor Kownacki said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. I am at a loss for words. When I heard what had happened, it was like I lost a family member, too,” Mayor Kownacki said. He then acknowledged the presence of Township Council members Cathleen Lewis and Michael Powers.
Assemblyman Benson made reference to the T-shirts’ slogan “United,” noting that it was important for everyone to show solidarity with the Sikhs. People talk about coming together in tragedy, but it is also important to come together in peace, he said.
”It is important to show solidarity today, tomorrow, next week and next year,” Assemblyman Benson said. “We are a nation of laws and a nation of prayers. Just know this is a partnership, and we are all equal in this.”
Noting the candlelight vigil that was set to be held after the prayer service concluded, Assemblyman Benson said the light from the candles not only represents warmth but also knowledge. He said he hoped that the candles could also melt away hate.
Rep. Holt said it was imperative to make it clear that even as the victims are mourned, “there is no room” in this country for bias, hate crimes and violence.
While many Sikhs may feel that the Wisconsin incident was a personal attack on their community and their religion, nevertheless they “are every bit as American as we are,” Rep. Holt said. They deserve the full respect, attention and protection of the laws of the United States and American society, he added.
Rep. Holt also called for action, noting that it is not enough to pray or have a moment of silence. There are steps that can be taken to help the police and things that can be done in the realm of public education and in the area of mental health care to prevent such acts of violence from re-occurring, he said.
Sen. Menendez offered his condolences to the Sikh community. He said that those who are familiar with the Sikhs know that they live “an exceptional life” and that they are peaceful, law-abiding people who contribute to American society.
Sen. Menendez said he helped to write legislation that calls for “enhanced” penalties to be assessed against anyone convicted of a hate crime or bias crime. One can never erase hatred, “but you can send a societal message” that there will be “serious consequences,” he said.
The senator said he and Sen. Frank Lautenberg are working on “reasonable” gun-control legislation in an effort to prevent more crimes. An assault weapon or a rifle with a 100-round magazine is not necessary to go hunting, he said. Those are the weapons of a killer, he added.
”I want to let you know that you are not alone. We are here to protect you as a fellow American. You have my hand in friendship and the power of my office (to help regulate American society from further violence),” Sen. Menendez said.
Wrapping up the roster of speakers before filing outside for the candlelight vigil, lawyer Jaspreet Singh who was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. said he was “honored” to have a chance to speak. He is a co-founder of the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination.
Mr. Singh agreed there is a need for gun control, adding that he “would not place this act as a senseless act. It was a deliberate act. It was a racist act” that was committed by a man who was affiliated with the types of extremist groups that must be monitored by the United States government.
The shooting of Sikhs at the Wisconsin temple on Aug. 5 was followed the next day by the burning of a Muslim mosque in Missouri, he said. “This is truly a serious problem that we are facing,” he added.
Thousands of hate or bias crimes reported to the police every year, but there are many more that go unreported, Mr. Singh said. Jews, Muslims and members of the gay, lesbian and (sexually) transgendered community are among those that bear the brunt of those attacks, he said.
Pointing out that he was raised in Georgia, Mr. Singh said he learned early about racism and hatred, and that people target what they don’t understand. They surround themselves with others who believe in the same ideology, he said.
There is a need to change American culture so that one is not judged by how he looks, but by his actions, Mr. Singh said. There is no place in the United States for discrimination and hatred today, he said, noting he was pleased that Christians, Muslims and Jews have joined forces to support the Sikh community and to “take a stand” against such hatred.
”(Sikhs) make up a small percentage of the population, but we are the most visible (because of our turbans),” he said. “The time has come for fellow Americans to stand shoulder to shoulder with us and not to tolerate (hatred) in America.”
”It is in our blood to stand up when we see an injustice. Let’s not let this situation pull us down. There is a lot more to be done,” Mr. Singh said, before the attendees moved outside to the parking lot for the candlelight vigil.

