US Gurudwara vandalised; anti-Muslim graffiti exhibited

Washington, Feb 8: In yet another instance of racial insensitivity, an under construction Gurdwara in the American State of Michigan was vandalised and defaced with anti-Muslim graffiti. The matter was reported by police and community leaders.

The incident happened on Feb 5 in an under construction Gurudwara near Sterling Heights city of Michigan as per statements given out by its management committee. The graffiti insensitive in nature contained vulgar language, racial epithets, the image of a cross, a large drawing of a gun, and references to the 9/11 attacks.

Though the exact reason for the crime has not been ascertained, it is understood that Sikh men are sometimes confused for being Muslim in the West because they grow full beards and wear turbans. Sikhs have been victims of violence and attacks time and time again due to this very reason.

The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund have requested local and federal authorities to investigate the case of hate crime. The vandalism was condemned by the Michigan chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Jewish Committee. Dawud Walid, executive director of the Muslim council has been quoted as saying, "We condemn the vandalism of the Sikh house of worship in Sterling Heights and call on local and federal law enforcement to use their full resources to apprehend the perpetrators of this hate crime."

Kari Alterman of the Jewish committee also commented on the vandalism, "The attack on any house of worship in our community is despicable, and we are pained to see the Sikh community targeted."

OneIndia News