New Gurdwara Set to Open in Rockville

September 20, 2005

Source: Sikh News Sentinel

http://www.sikhsangat.org/publish/article_423.shtml

On September 20, 2005 Sikh News Sentinel reported, "As Americans remembered and reflected on the fourth anniversary of 9/11, so too did members of America's Sikh community. The remembrance comes dear to the hearts for this religious group as many of them faced unnecessary backlash from the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Devotees of Sikhism, an Indian monotheistic religion grounded on universal equality, were often targets of mistaken identity due to their distinctive turbans and uncut beards. Hate crimes, including a fatality, were committed against America's Sikhs in the weeks following 9/11 as images of Osama Bin Laden and Al Qai'da were shown on televisions nationwide. Hoping to end any sentiments of alienation or ignorance, the Sikh congregation of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) prayed for the victims, as well as the future, on the 9/11 anniversary. After twenty years of service to the Washington DC area, GGSF is opening a brand new place of worship in the suburbs of Rockville, MD on October 2nd of this year... 'We want to make it very clear to fellow Americans that we too are Americans, and that our new home is also theirs.' said Dr. Rajwant Singh, Executive Director of GGSF. Singh and members of GGSF's youth have been devising an outreach strategy within many nearby residential neighborhoods to promote a partnership based on trust and community harmony."