HASC lauds the First Lady’s support to the Sikh community
Washington, D.C. August 18, 2012. The Dharmic* community welcomes the First Lady’s visit to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, on August 23, 2012 to meet with the family members of those affected
by the attack on the Sikh temple. Milwaukee
witnessed the senseless death of six innocent devotees and wounding of the
brave responding police officer who answered the call of duty, on August 5,
2012. We applaud the First Lady’s visit of solidarity with the Sikh community.
HASC
along with many Dharmic places of worship held prayer vigils and offered acts
of seva, of solidarity, for our Sikh brothers and sisters “The entire nation and the Dharmic community
is rising above what differentiates us and is bringing to the forefront what
unites us. We are showing, regardless of
our faith, whether we identify as Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Muslim,
Christian or Jewish, in moments like this, as human beings, we come together
and stand in unity”, observed, Anju Bhargava, Founder of Hindu American Seva
Charities.
We
are all Sikhs in this heart breaking moment.
At
the recent Ifthar dinner, the President said, “…..And while we may never fully
understand what motivates such hatred, such violence, the perpetrators of such
despicable acts must know that your twisted thinking is no match for the
compassion and the goodness and the strength of our united American family. ….
we declare with one voice that such violence has no place in the United States
of America. The attack on Americans of any faith is an attack on the freedom of
all Americans. No American should ever have to fear for their safety in
their place of worship. And every American has the right to practice their
faith both openly and freely, and as they choose. That is not just an American
right; it is a universal human right. And we will defend the freedom of
religion, here at home and around the world. And as we do, we’ll draw on the
strength and example of our interfaith community…..”
This
tragedy underscores the need for our Dharmic community to be able to train
itself and build capacity to better protect itself. HASC is working with public officials, (such
as at the White House and Department of Homeland Security), to assist the Sikh
and Dharmic community increase security of faith infrastructures.
We
appreciate the administration’s support to help Dharmic communities strengthen
their places of worship.
*Dharmic generally refers to
people of eastern traditions: Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs
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