Different Religions Share Common Grief for Sikh Community - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Leah Uko

OMAHA (KPTM) - The tragedy in Wisconsin is also affecting people in the Omaha area. Members of the Sikh and Hindu religions got together at the Hindu Temple in west Omaha.

The religions are different, but one Sikh family believes the two are coming together to share a common grief.

"Our local communities need to get this out about Sikhism and about other religions so that no religion is being misunderstood or being treated like a cult or militant group because that is not who we are," said Renu Singh.

They say ignorance is what brought harm to the Sikh community in Wisconsin—and hurt here in Omaha.

The Sikh religion is not Muslim or Hindu. But it's often confused as being both. Members say its teachings are simple.

"Be friendly, peaceful, brotherhood to all the people where you live," said Gopinder Singh Oberoi.

But even if the six victims who were shot and killed in a Sikh temple were mistaken for a different religious group—this family says religion is irrelevant.

"Everyone is focusing on ‘oh my gosh he's targeting the wrong group and this and that', but I really think it doesn't even matter. I mean he shouldn't even be doing this in the first place," said Piya Gandhi.

The four gathered at the Hindu Temple in west Omaha. Though the temple is not a place of worship, a peace prayer in honor of the Sikh victims and their families brings them here today.

"If people come they will feel insecure because such a brutality has been performed. There is insecurity," said Darshan Oberoi.

This is a concern that has now spread through their community.

"We all want to live in peace and harmony and we all are equal in the eyes of God."