Picture Courtesy: Voice of America

KANSAS City, KS, USA (April 15, 2014)—Sikhs living in Kansas have expressed solidarity with the victims of Jewish community center in Kansas City this past Sunday.  A gunman carried out a pair of shootings at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Village Shalom, a Jewish retirement community, both located in Overland Park, Kansas.  The shootings claimed three lives and the gunman was taken into custody.
“No one should ever have to fear for their safety when they go to pray” said President Obama while talking about the shootings in Kansas.
While speaking to Sikh24, Amarjit Singh, who is a board member of the Gurdwara Nanak Darbar Sahib (GNDS), Olathe, Kansas, said that the incident took place very close to the temporary Gurdwara building where the Sikh congregation holds programs every Sunday.  Singh said that he is deeply disturbed by the shootings. “It feels as though this has happened in our own home. We regret that the Jewish community has to go through this,” said Amarjit Singh.
“This is a tragic news and Sikhs stand in solidarity with the Jewish community,” he added. While referring to the shootings at the Wisconsin Gurdwara shootings in 2012, he said that “this incident has reopened old wounds.”  GNDS will be performing ardas, a prayer for the well-being of the Jewish community.
Sukhmandar Singh Punia, president of Midwest Sikh Association, said that they are also in touch with the local Jewish community and have expressed solace.  Local Sikhs, especially youth in Kansas, are requested to express their solidarity and stand with the Jewish community in their time of need.  Both Gurdwaras are planning to visit the Jewish centers; for anyone wishing to accompany them please contact your Gurdwara representatives.  GNDS and Widwest Sikh Associated can be reached at 913-488-7632 and 913-631-5947 respectively.
Sikh Gurdwaras located in other parts of the world have also asked their congregations to remember the victims in their daily prayers and to pray for world peace.
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