Huff Post:
NEW YORK — The killing of six worshippers at a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee brought fresh worries Sunday to the half million U.S. followers of a faith whose congregants have worried about their safety since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when some began targeting adherents of a peaceful religion that stresses the equality of people.
While police have not identified the gunman, who was killed by police, or described a possible motive for the Wisconsin shootings, several leaders of Sikh organizations nationwide say the killings have brought to the surface fears that have lingered since 9/11 when some ignorant about their beliefs began mistaking them for potential terrorists.
“This is something we have been fearing since 9/11, that this kind of incident will take place,” said Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Washington-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education. “It was a matter of time because there’s so much ignorance and people confuse us (as) being members of Taliban or belonging to (Osama) bin Laden.”
Assalamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatulla!
PRESS RELEASE
After I emailed all Muslim Media and key Muslims in the San Francisco Bay Area ( by our own Zafar Harris) mainstream Muslims got prompted make their Press Releases.
Muslims Condemn Shooting at Sikh Temple
5 Aug, 2012 20:12 CET
PRESS RELEASE
Nation’s oldest Muslim organization sends condolences and calls for peace and justice
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA – the oldest Muslim organization in America – strongly condemns this morning’s senseless shooting on worshipers gathered at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the city of Oak Creek, near Milwaukee. While details of the attack continue to emerge, such brutality and hatred does not represent the otherwise tolerant and peaceful relationships between faith communities in this nation, and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA calls on all people of conscience to condemn this act.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA extends its prayers, condolences and sympathy to the Sikh community and hopes that justice will be established as law enforcement search for the suspect.
“We are saddened that our Sikh friends suffered at the hands of this senseless act,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, National Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA. “This incident demonstrates more attention needs to be paid to religious education in order to foster a more tolerant and peaceful society.”
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is available for comment.
This act of terrisom should strongly be condemned by all peace loving human beings and nations. And I agree with the Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah statement that ” This incident demonstrates more attention needs to be focused on religious education in order to foster a more tolerant and peaceful society.”
Denna handling av terrisom bör starkt fördömas av alla fredsälskande människor och nationer. Och jag håller med Dr Nasim Rehmatullah uttalande att “Händelsen visar mer uppmärksamhet riktas mot religionsundervisning i syfte att främja ett mer tolerant och fredligt samhälle.”