The Gandhi Foundation of USA holds a
moving interfaith memorial service at
Atlanta’s King Center for
Sikh worshippers killed in Wisconsin Gurudwara.
By: Mahadev Desai and Suzanne Sen
Pics. : Mahadev Desai
The Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA) held a moving Interfaith
Vigil/Memorial Service at the King Historic Site in Atlanta on
Saturday, August 11, 2012, for the victims of the senseless
massacre at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin. The memorial was
attended by various dignitaries, clergy, representatives of
diverse faiths and community organizations, youth, and the
public.
At the Gandhi Statue, GFUSA Chairman Subash Razdan, Presiding
the Service, greeted all, and followed by melodious Lakshmi Rao
and Neera Bahl leading the gathering in singing the bhajan
(prayer song), “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” a favorite of
Mahatma Gandhi. Consul General Ajit Kumar garlanded the statue
of Gandhi, and a number of floral bouquets were placed by
prominent community leaders from diverse faiths and community
organizations. The gathering then “Walked in Peace” to the King
crypts, where bouquets were laid as homage to the champions of
Civil Rights Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King.
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Surinder Sigh Lali offering floral
bouquet |
In Freedom Hall, the prayer service continued. GFUSA Executive
Director Antony Thaliath spoke: “We have gathered here today
amidst great sorrow inflicted on us by the brutal attack on
innocent Sikh worshippers at the Gurudwara (Temple) in Wisconsin
on Sunday, August 5. Six lost their lives and many have been
wounded…. We need to unite our efforts in combating the
prevailing ignorance and racism in our society.” Lauding the
Sikh community he said, “The Sikh religion preaches peaceful…
living and equality of mankind. The Gandhi Foundation is also
committed to these principles of peace, unity, and nonviolence
as espoused and lived by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. … We condemn the shooting at the holy shrine and
convey the nation’s deepest sympathies to all affected by this
horrendous act.”
Razdan cited another disturbing event, the burning of an Islamic
mosque in Joplin, Missouri. “American values, secularism,
pluralism, respect for diversity is all enshrined in the
American Constitution. These deplorable acts were not carried
out by large, organized groups and we should refrain from finger
pointing. In all these instances of hate crime and racial
profiling (particularly after 9-11), our communities have
conducted themselves with utmost dignity in the USA. Let us all
strive to remain united and peace-loving.”
Many condolences and sympathy wishes for the future were
presented. The message from President Obama was read by Razdan.
Narender Reddy then read Governor Deal’s proclamation and a
message from the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, where a
shanti homa for peace for the community and those affected by
the tragedy had been held. The proclamation of Sympathy was
presented to the Sikh leadership in attendance at the Freedom
Hall. Suzanne Buchanan, a Conciliation Specialist with the U.S.
Dept. of Justice, noted that her agency provides cultural
awareness training and law enforcement services and offered her
agency’s support to the community and condolences.
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Eric De Groot offers floral bouquet |
Imam Plemon Amin addresses the
gathering. |
Hon. Ajit Kumar read a message from the Indian Prime Minister
who is himself a Sikh. He noted that in the U.S. a presidential
proclamation directed flags to be flown at half mast until
August 10, when the funerals were held. Indian Ambassador
Nirupama Rao had visited Oak Creek on August 7th. He noted that
U.S. Attorney Gen. Eric Holder said that the attack was not only
on Sikhs but on American values.
Khalid Sidiqque, a respected elder in the Pakistani community of
Atlanta and a medical doctor, condoled “The Muslim and Pakistani
American community offer condolences and solidarity with the
Sikh community in time of their untold loss in Wisconsin. We
share your sorrow and sorrow of all victims of hate crimes. A
place of worship is a sanctuary and an attack on a sacred space
is an attack on the heart of all that is good in America. The
way all have rallied together shows that there is still hope
that out of the ashes a new spirit of mutual love, compassion,
and understanding and a respect for all religions and cultures
will be born.“
Rev. Shanan Jones of Ebenezer Baptist Church sympathized, “What
Wade did in his sick mind was substituting his role for the role
of God—that is what supremacist mindset does. Lady Liberty opens
her arms…. It is an American idea created by a fabric of various
nations and various ethnicities coming together to make the
American dream a reality. A few weeks after Gandhi was
assassinated, Martin Luther King, Jr., was ordained because you
cannot silence an idea whose time has come. So we stand with you
… to share justice, to share hope—we also march with you to the
beloved community that Gandhi and King attempted to build, the
community of justice, of love.”
Since Rabbi Donald Tam was in synagogue and could not attend,
Razdan read his message: It is an appropriate place you hold the
ceremony, before the statue of Gandhi…. There are always too few
Gandhis in our world. Sometimes I wonder how it continues to
exist without them. How patient the Creator both of us worship
must be! Certainly, the Creator is long suffering of the human
race.”
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Narender Reddy presenting GA
Gov.Nathan
Deal’s Proclamation to Suriner Singh Lali and Jagjit
Singh |
Manhar Valand laying a bouquet at the
Crypt |
The Sikh faith and attitudes were described and praised, in
particular their peaceful reaction to the attack. Consul Kumar
said, “They are a peace-loving people, and they have brought
prosperity wherever they have gone.” Jagdish Sheth, Professor of
Emory University, “couldn’t believe it happened to the Sikh
community” who give to others who are less fortunate, work
honestly, and worship God—and “Of all the places, it happened in
the U.S., which is founded on and has encouraged religious
freedom!” Rabbi Tam used to lunch with a fellow student, a Sikh,
and had “some wonderful discussions with him. I learned a little
then of your suffering in history, your religion, which is
elegant in belief and sensitive in nature, while proudly strong
at the same time. …With people such as yourself who are God's
hands and feet in this world, it will be different some day and
better than now.”
Guru Nanak Mission Society of Atlanta’s Surinder Singh Lali
lamented that “Sikhs are known as nation builders. It is
saddening that our own liberty at home is at stake. This is
un-American. What has happened is a crime against humanity. Guru
Nanak teaches us that we are all born equal and we should always
sacrifice for others.” In the face of this tragic event all the
devotees were advised to remain calm and even pray for the
perpetrator of the horrible act. In this vein, Sheth also said
that he represented the Jain community, founded on nonviolence
and victory over self, and noted that perhaps the perpetrator
could not cope with his own inner unhappiness.
Kaushal Tripathi, on behalf of IACA, praised the heroism of Lt.
Brian Murphy and the Sikh priest and was “very pleased but not
surprised at all to hear the message of the national level Sikh
community leaders for love, peace, sacrifice, and sewa
(service). That is the message of Sikh religion.”
Jagjit Singh, an IIT Delhi graduate and representing SEWA
Gurudwara, thanked all and said, “As a Sikh, I believe that
people are inherently good. Our faith instills a sense of
perpetual optimism, and our traditions always teach us to make
best of a tough situation. … We all feel the shock and
helplessness. …. And the brave police officer who was more
concerned about safety of others than himself—individuals like
him are the ones who restore our faith in humanity. Sikhs are
God-loving people. … We can follow different paths but we are
all heading to the same destination. Sikhs interact with other
communities through love and optimism. This is not the first
time that Sikhs have been attacked … but we do not believe in
being hateful or vicious. … As we pray for the victims and their
families let us also pray for the family of Wade.” Police Chief
John Edwards lauded the Sikh community, “In 28 years of law
enforcement, I have seen a lot of hate. I have seen a lot of
revenge. I’ve seen a lot of anger. What I saw, particularly from
the Sikh community this week was compassion, concern, support.
What I didn’t see was hate. I did not see revenge. I didn’t see
any of that. And in law enforcement that’s unusual to not see
that reaction to something like this. I want you all to
understand how unique that is.”
What can we do?
Mayor Eva Galambos of Sandy Springs noted that occasionally we
have tremendous leaders who inspire us and remind us of great
principles, but unfortunately we don’t have such wonderful
leaders all the time, so then the responsibility to carry out
their message of peaceful, nonviolent living and respect for
each other rests with each of us.
Relating to Sikh experiences through his own, International
Committee Chairman, Eric De Groot, a Jew, held up his mother's
tiny diary, chronicling her trials in WWII, and reminded us to
never forget. He quoted Neil Diamond: “Got a dream to take them
there, they’re coming to America.” “In these days of … social
media, perception has become reality. Anything about anyone can
be said and written, uploaded and downloaded. It is a dangerous
situation, especially when the message is one of loathing,
revulsion, and hatred. …It is easy to hate your enemy from a
distance. Therefore knowledge and education are of the utmost
importance. We need to learn of each other and from each other….
I hope that all of us will have the courage to speak up and
continue to speak up.” Referring to the King banner behind him,
he urged us to “Remember, Celebrate, and Act.”
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Lakshmi Rao and GFUSA Officers singing
the Civil Rights Anthem |
Tripathi also emphasized educating to eradicate the ignorance
that caused that event. “We must walk across the aisle… and
spread the message of love and defend each other.” Sneha Mehta,
a prominent Hindu leader, exhorted, “What happened to these
peace-loving and law abiding people should make all of us
introspect and strive to be better friends, neighbors,
co-workers, and parents, not only in our personal lives but in
community also. … Our creator has created diversity so no one
should consider oneself superior because of race, color,
ethnicity, etc…. And we must engage in a public discourse to
dispel ignorance.”
The President of India Awareness Foundation, Dhiru Shah, pointed
to tolerance with an ancient Vedic sloka: “ We are the birds of
the same nest, We wear different skins, We may speak different
languages, We may believe in different religions, We may be
belong to different cultures, Yet we share the same home-our
earth…. We must learn to happily progress together or miserably
perish together, for man can live individually, but can survive
only collectively.”
Sadhu Vaswani, a recipient of the Peace Pilgrim Award of the
Gandhi Foundation of USA was represented by Priya Advani,who
covyed her condolences and quoted very appropriately from Dada
J.P.Vaswani’s prayer wherein he had advised all for the moment
of calm, to return good for evil,not have any resentment against
the wrong-doer and have nothing but love and respect for all .
Plemon Amin, Imam of African-American Muslims, noted that “On
one hand I must attempt to change the souls of individuals so
that societies may be changed, and on the other hand I must
attempt to change societies so that individual souls would have
to change.” He warned to beware of self-righteousness that will
not compromise, and to trust in each other and not to trust in
weapons.
Razdan said, “That the National Federation of Indian
Associations and other organizations were submitting a strongly
worded resolution to be handed to Ambassador Nirupama Rao in
Washington DC. Suggestions for similar resolutions echoed some
of the aspects below which were helped drafted by Suzanne Sen
who is present amidst us today:
We urge law enforcement personnel to monitor the increasing
number of groups that preach hatred against minorities, and work
to prevent people with a history of arrests and membership in
hate groups from purchasing guns.
We urge our schools to do more to educate the mainstream about
the contribution to America by different ethnic and religious
minorities, and about the values of cultural and religious
tolerance.
We urge everyone to value peace and nonviolence as espoused, by
Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., and to become aware of
changes to bring peace and nonviolence into their personal lives
and the lives of their families and communities, and into
policies of organizations and governments.
Shan Yohan of the Interfaith Sisters Group had exhorted all,
“Let us recognize our interdependence and accept responsibility
for making peace. Let us all embark on this daily journey, our
PEACE PILGRIMAGE, and pledge to continue NO MATTER WHAT!”
GFUSA Treasurer Mohsin Bharmal, a Muslim from Rajkot, thanked
all for their gracious presence and support, including TV Asia,
Sanjay Pandya of Davis Printing, and the King Center.
A closure to this befitting Interfaith Service was brought by
joining hands by all faiths to sing the civil rights anthem led
by Lakshmi Rao “We Shall Overcome,” The gathering dispersed—but
remembering well the speaker Jagjit Siddu’s invitation, “Let us
meet in happier circumstances and keep this dialogue going.”
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