Local Sikhs speak out about shooting in Wisconsin

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Members of a Sikh temple in Roanoke are speaking out about the shooting in Wisconsin. They say they're saddened by the news, but they do plan to keep worshiping in their temple as they normally would.

Members of the Sikh temple on Lower Huntington Road in Roanoke cannot begin to describe their sadness for the victims of the shooting in Wisconsin.

"Something like this might happen you know we're kind of scared about it, but it could happen anywhere like what happened in Colorado. It was very sad what happened in the movie theater. Nobody ever expected it to happen in the movie theater, but it happened so it could happen in a church," Interpreter Kim Rai said.

Although the motive behind the shooting is unclear, an advocate for the Sikh Coalition said it was an act of discrimination. Sikh's are not allowed to cut their hair. So, men wear caps and turbans.

"It's a visual discrimination unfortunately because people are intolerant of others who look different than them. They are targeted by these hate groups," Sikh Coalition advocate Lori Way.

Way said often times people mistake their identity.

"The Sikh are often associated with Muslims in many cases and that is not the case at all. Sikhs are their own religion. Just as Muslims and Hindus are their own religion."

Some Sikh's said they've been discriminated against because of their appearance. Interpreter Kim Rai said they're just like everyone else.

"We are all normal people. Our children go to the same schools as everyone else. We eat the same foods as everyone else," Rai said.

Their religion is the fifth largest in the world. They believe that their temples should be open to anyone to come worship God.

"The doors are open to anybody. It's a house of God and a house of worship. So, it's open to every denomination."

Sikhs in the Fort Wayne area said they plan to have a candlelight vigil for the victims. A time and date have not been set yet.