

As Sikhs confront Wisconsin temple shooting tragedy, members of the community reflect on 11 years of 'Bin Laden' taunts and misunderstanding
Members of Sikh temple in Oak Creek Wisconsin
It is not clear whether the gunman targeted the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the mistaken belief that its worshipers were Muslim. Photograph: Jeffrey Phelps/AP






Shergill showed no great sympathy or solidarity with American Muslims who themselves endure unjustified abuse in the aftermath of 9/11, saying that Sikhs were better off getting away from them. But his account of being derisively called Bin Laden was not uncommon in Oak Creek.

Satinder Singh, who lives close to the temple and left it shortly before the shooting because he had work to attend to, said he was subjected to verbal abuse on occasions but never felt physically threatened.

"Sometimes they call you a Muslim or Bin Laden. It's the way they say it. They are not fair to everybody," said Singh who immigrated from India 14 years ago. "But I have not seen violence before. We did not expect it. We are peaceful. We open our arms to everyone."

There are about 500,000 Sikhs in the United States but the community in Wisconsin is small, numbering about 2,500 to 3,000 families. Despite its relatively small presence in the US, the Sikh faith is the fifth-largest in the world, with more than 30 million followers. It includes a belief in one God and that the goal of life is to lead an exemplary existence.


It is not clear whether the gunman, Wade Michael Page, targeted the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the mistaken belief that its worshipers were Muslim. He had ties to white supremacist groups and may have been motivated by a broader racial prejudice.

But the experiences of the Sikh community in Oak Creek, and incidents elsewhere in the US, means it will have to be convinced the shootings are not a legacy of 9/11.



Amardeep Singh, of the Sikh Coalition, said that in addressing audiences since 9/11 he usually poses a question. "When you see a turban and beard, what is the first thing you think of? The answer is inevitably what? I think of a terrorist. We've had 11 years where the turban is equated with terrorism," he said. "Is our community an intentional victim? … No, we're collateral damage."


Keleka described how his father arrived in the US with little money and built up a flourishing petrol station business. He was, said his son, such an enthusiast for the "American Dream" that years ago he planted an enormous US flag in front of his house. "When we came home from high school that day we said: papa, this thing is an eyesore," said Kaleka.


Kaleka said his father remained convinced that Americans would accept them as Sikhs. Many people in Oak Creek on Monday expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Sikh community as government offices and business lowered flags to half mast, and some churches, banks and individuals put up signs of support.
