BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (KMSP) -
The first gathering of Sikhs in Minnesota began with just a few families in the 80s, but now the hundreds of members are planning a prayer service for the victims of the Oak Creek temple attack.
FOX 9 News spoke with the president of the Sikh Society of Minnesota, in Bloomington, about how the local community has reacted to what the FBI has called an act of domestic terrorism -- and he said his own personal feelings certainly changed after hearing about the suspect's background.
"Every worship place in the world is sacred," said D.J. Sikka. "People should not use that to do any harm to any innocent person."
For more than 20 years, Sikhs in Minnesota have been coming to worship and pray without incident and without worry about their safety. Now, there is much sadness and concern over the attack against their neighbors in Wisconsin.
"Our community will be feeling a little reluctance, but I don't think we'll be sitting in our homes in fear," predicted Ricky Arora, who worships at the temple every Friday and Sunday with his family.
After 9/11, Sikhs were a target of prejudice and fear due to their appearance. A decade later, Arora told FOX 9 News that prejudice persists.
"People still have that ignorant feeling who Sikhs are, so we need to get out there and educate and make people aware so these things don't happen again," he said.
In the wake of Sept. 11, 2011, Sikka said the Sikh Society of Minnesota did receive a few threats, but there hasn't been anything of the sort since.
Still, the Sikh Society of Minnesota has discussed increasing security in recent months -- and they do plan to put up cameras in the near future. For the time being, they are asking their members to be vigilant in both the temple and community, but Sikka said the only way to truly stop the violence is to educate the public about their faith.
"Sikhs are not terrorists. Sikhs are not creating any trouble," he insisted. "They are a peace-loving people and they believe in equality and self respect, and respect all religions."
Sikka told FOX 9 News that there was great concern after learning of the shooting, but that fear is growing after learning that the gunman had ties to white supremacist groups.
"It scares us," Sikka admitted. "If they have an agenda -- or why they are doing it; Is it a single person or part of a group where they have a bigger agenda to do more harm to different places?"
Yet, that fear won't stop them from moving forward. Sikka said they plan to send a group to Oak Creek to help with whatever they need once the temple reopens there. Locally, they are hoping a prayer service for the victims will help bring people together.
On Friday, the doors to the Sikh Society of Minnesota will be open to anyone from any religion who would like to participate in the prayer.
