Local Sikh: Wisconsin Shooting Was 'Tragic'

The distinctive turban and the long beards worn by men of the Sikh faith set them apart from others living in the western world, but some Sikhs believe it may also make them a target of hate or violence.

Sikh, pronounced similar to the English word “sick” but with extra emphasis on the letter “k,” is a monotheistic religion that began in the Northern India-Pakistan region some 400 years ago.

Because of the turban, some people have confused them with members of other faith communities, said Surindar Singh Hansra, current president of the

“Sure there is some mistaken identity, some people think we maybe are Muslims; but I think a lot of people all over the world know the Sikh religion is a separate religion; completely separate from Muslim,” Hansra said this week.

In the days and months following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, there were several reports of Sikh men being harassed or attacked, according to a Washington Post report.

Hansra, a retired U.S. Department of Justice employee who was born in India, said in all his years working for the federal government he’s never been harassed or assaulted.

But he understands that some people who carry out violent attacks like Sunday’s mass shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, WI, may be suffering from psychological issues, Hansra said.

“Individuals can not do anything; law enforcement is doing the best they can, one policeman got shot trying to protect our congregation members,” he said. “The thing is, most of the religions are peaceful; there is really not that much difference between Christian’s Ten Commandments and our commandments.”

On Monday Hansra, board of trustees members, and the priest of the Manassas congregation planned to meet with

The 200-plus members of the Sikh Center of Manassas, which is a "gurdwara" or a place for Sikh worship, have plans to expand their facility so they can invite the police department and other civic leaders to come and talk to the congregation about what they can do to help the community.

The congregation held a community Fourth of July celebration last month and a very successful blood drive last year at the three-year-old gurdwara, Hansra said.

Free food is served after Sunday worship and local Sikhs often donate food to homeless shelters, he added.

“There was no place for something like that to have happened,” Hansra said of the shooting in Wisconsin. “You can’t blame the other people; there was just one person, as far as I know, just one individual doing that. It’s very tragic."

"Maybe the country will become more aware of Sikh religion and what they stand for," he continued. "They are peaceful people; they want to serve the community. Maybe under these tragic circumstances there will be some awaking among all of us.”

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