An Indian Sikh devotee offers prayers at the Golden Temple, Sikh's holiest shrine in Amritsar, India, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012.Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday that he was shocked and saddened by the shooting attack that killed six people at a Sikh house of worship in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Sanjeev Syal)
Local Sikhs Pray for Shooting Victims
Williamsville, NY (WBEN) There were a couple of reasons why local SIkhs held a prayer service Monday night to remember those who were killed in a temple shooting in Wisconsin.
"We wanted to express our sympathies with the victims in Wisconsin," says Dr. Mohan Devgun of the Sikh Educational and Cultural Society. "We also wanted to show solidarity and thank police as well for their quick work."
Devgun says there was concern over security at the Williamsville temple after the shootings. "I spoke with the local police chief about our concerns about security. I do think, however, we are in a safe area," notes Devgun.
Devgun says Sikhs are sometimes confused with Muslims because of the turbans the religion dictates they wear. "Sikhs believe all people are equal, and we love freedom of religion in this country," Devgun explains in the differences between the two religions.