East Coast Sikhs Join Candlelight Vigil in Support of the Jewish Community

NEW YORK, USA—Sikhs joined the Queens’ community in New York to honor the victims of the shootings that took place on October 27 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, PA. The candlelight event was dubbed “Queens Against Hate: Candlelight Vigil” and was attended by members of various faiths to honor the victims and express solidarity with the Jewish community.

“Members of the Sikh community are here today to express their solidarity with the Jewish community. What happened in Pittsburg was awful and we want to let the Jewish community know that we are all here to support them in any way possible,” said Gurpreet Singh from New Jersey who traveled here to attend the vigil. 

“In times of such darkness, may our unity light the way,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz in a statement as she called upon all faiths and backgrounds to stand together in solidarity.

Representing the Sikh community, members of the World Sikh Parliment, Sikh Cultural Society Richmondhill NY, Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and The Sikh Center of New York attended the candlelight vigil.

“Six years ago a similar hate crime occurred at a Sikh place of Worship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sikhs condemn such hate crimes and will always stand with the victims,” said Himmat Singh of SCCEC.

Expressing solidarity with the Jewish community, UNITED SIKHS, a humanitarian organization, shared the following statement –

“We strongly feel that we, as a society and a nation, have the responsibility to make sure that no community in this country should feel unsafe. No child should have to go through the trauma of seeing their own community members mowed down in hate. This is extremely hurtful for all of us. All churches, synagogues, Temples, mosques and Gurdwaras should be a safe place for all faith communities. The political rhetoric in this country lately is not helpful and the leadership of this country ought to send signals which give solace to all communities.”