Attack on Sikh Temple Represents Attack on American Values

When the Sikhs at Gurduara Sahib in Milford finished their worship yesterday they heard the chilling news;

“We prayed for them, we prayed for those who were shot and we prayed for the gunman,” Ram Gupal, grantni (priest) at the temple said. “We prayed that he would learn about people’s differences and we didn’t send any bad words his way.”

After praying the only thing the congregation in Milford could do for their fellow Sikhs was reflect about the events and what the attack meant.

,” temple president Malkit Singh Gill said. “It’s an attack on the American belief that we are the land of freedom.”

According to Gill, Sikhs temples are open to anyone; you don’t need to fit in to a certain race, class or culture to be welcome at the worship center.

“Nobody has the right to question you when you come in you can come to enjoy our food, to participate in our hymns, or in this sad case, to shoot people,” he said.

Sikhism started in India in the 1500s, and according to Gill the main temple had four entrances representing the four castes in India, everyone is asked to remove their shoes and cover their heads before sitting together, worshiping together and sharing a meal.

“As Sikhs, we believe everyone is equal, men and women, kings and peasants, priests and first time worshippers. As long as you work hard, give back you are welcome,” Gill said.

While Gill said it is sad that this occurred, it showed that the American system works.

“As soon as someone called 911 police officers responded and were on the scene stopping the violence,” he said. “It’s too bad that an officer was shot and that the shooter was killed, but the American response system worked to restore safety and the justice system will work it out from here.”