Community Corner
Sikh Vigils in Southington, Hamden Will 'Bring Meaning to Tragedy'
The Connecticut Sikh Association Inc. will host two candlelight vigils for those killed in the Sunday Wisconsin shootings, including a service in Southington Friday night and in Hamden on Saturday.
Police determined that hate was the motivating factor in a weekend shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, an act which led to the death of seven people including the shooter. Despite their sorrow and anger, local Sikh worshipers aren't about to use hate to fight back, however.
Instead, , a Southington resident who co-founded , a Sikh Temple on West Street, said the answer lies in using peaceful prayer and educating the public on the values and belief of Sikhism.
Bahara said Tuesday that members of the Connecticut Sikh Association Inc. will host two separate vigils this weekend, one in Southington on Friday night and a second at the Gurdwara Sachkhand Darbar temple in Hamden on Saturday evening.
"Through prayer, we can reach out and provide support to the vctims, their families and the family of the suspect," Bharara said.
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Wisconsin Temple President Satwant Kaleka was one of six Sikhs killed .
Also killed on Sunday were: Sita Singh, 41; Ranjit Singh, 49; Prakash Singh, 39; Paramjit Kaur, 41; and Suveg Singh, 84. Three others were critically injured in the attack, including .
"It truly is a tragedy," Bharara said Monday. "We need to do our part to pray for those affected by this terrible incident and to enlighten others on what Sikhism is."
Bharara on Tuesday wrote , but said that is just the start. He also hopes others will get involved and invites the public to join them in the candlelight vigil ceremonies.
"On behalf of Connecticut Sikh Association Inc., we extend our prayers and our condolences to the families of the victims, the family of the suspect(s) and all those who have been impacted by this tragedy at Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara," said Surinder Singh Chawla, general secretory of the Connecticut Sikh Association, .
The ceremonies will be held as follows:
1. Gurdwara Guru Nank Darbar
1610 West Street in Southington
Friday, Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m.
2. Gurdwara Sachkhand Darbar
336 Welton Street in Hamden
Saturday, Aug. 11, at 7:15 p.m.
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