In these challenging times for us all it is shocking to hear of this terrorist attack on innocent Sikh worshippers and mourners and although we cannot physically gather together to show support and solidarity let us hold our Sikh brothers and sisters in our thoughts and prayers.
Words taken from a Press Release | March 26, 2020 The American Sikh Council (ASC) is extremely distraught by the terrorist attack on the only Gurdwara Guru Har Rai located in Shor Bazaar, Kabul,Afghanistan, yesterday. According to reports several attackers stormed the gurdwara premises at about 7am and killed at least twenty-five (25) innocent Sikhs who had gathered for prayer services. Eight (8) more have been seriously injured and have been sent to ER at the local hospital. ISIShas claimed responsibility for the savage attack. Kabul is home to the few hundred remaining Sikhs in Afghanistan and Sikh-Afghans currently face a very difficult predicament and most have been forced to flee to other countries starting in the early 90s. The remaining Sikhs are very vulnerable and do not have the resources or ability to relocate to other countries. With no other options, international resettlement has become the only feasible solution for Sikh-Afghan asylum seekers as they are persecuted because of their distinct and independent faith. While the entire Sikh-Afghan community were still mourning, another bomb blast was set off today at the funeral of the 25 Sikhs at the crematorium. The youngest victim was a six (6) year old child. The American Sikh Council (ASC) and all other Sikh organisations in the US request the State department to assist the Afghan authorities to offer meaningful protection to Sikh-Afghans, meanwhile the US State department seriously consider giving them asylum urgently, because based on the past history it is highly likely the rest of them could be killed soon. Without immediate assistance, the remaining Sikhs in Afghanistan face a tragic fate. Although this is a difficult time for America and the entire world as we combat the Corona virus, we must remember our duty to assist vulnerable communities facing extermination such as Sikhs in Afghanistan. The American Sikh Council calls on the US government to expedite the processing of their refugee applications and allow the Sikhs remaining in Afghanistan to be directly sponsored by Americans. |