One of the most heartbreaking visuals, were beamed from Kabul, of the funeral of the innocent Sikh worshipers who were killed by terrorists who had stormed into and laid siege in a gurudwara during morning prayers.
The attack has shaken the Sikh community worldwide, and especially in India where members of the community have been hailed for being first responders in any crisis. The Sikh community has also stood in open solidarity with other Indian communities, especially the Muslims. Sikhs were the first to open community kitchens at the anti-Caa-NRC-NPR protests, and were hailed for their generosity, and humane gestures. They also came forward to help victims of the nati-mulsim riots in North-East Delhi.
This assault on the community that practises service to all humnaity has deeply hurt the Muslim community in India. “The murderous attack on Kabul gurudwara is criminal, ISIS is deadlier than Corona,” Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, is one of the first Muslim leaders from India, to publicly condemned the attack. He called for the severest punishment for those who planned and supported the attack. “Arrest these criminals and execute them at the earliest,” said Dr Khan, a well-known Islamic scholar who has studied at Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, and was president of the apex All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat for many years. “ISIS is a fanatic organisation which relies on the ideas of Khawarij outlaws who reared their heads in early Islam and were rejected by Muslims,” he said.
According to a Guardian report, the terrorists killed, “at least 25 worshippers, including women and children, and injured many others,” On Wednesday March 25. The victims had been held hostage and the siege continued for hours in the local Gurudwara where the Sikhs, a minority community in Afghanistan, lived.
Dr Khan offered condolences and, “begged forgiveness of Sikh brothers and sisters.” He said that all Muslims stood with the Sikh community in this moment of their grief and were praying for the victims.
The victims were cremated in Kabul on Thursday, March 26. “In tears. Helpless in mourning. Funeral pyre of 25 out of 26 innocent Sikh being lit in #Kabul right now. Yesterday as they worshiped for good health for all across globe amidst #COVID19, Pakistan backed terrorists gunned them mercilessly. What was their crime? #WaheGuru help us!” tweeted journalist Ravinder Singh Robin.
In tears. Helpless in mourning. Funeral pyre of 25 out of 26 innocent Sikh being lit in #Kabul right now. Yesterday as they worshiped for good health for all across globe amidst #COVID19, Pakistan backed terrorists gunned them mercilessly. What was their crime? #WaheGuru help us! pic.twitter.com/8dYWbkKXDh
— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ راویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) March 26, 2020
According to reports nearly 200 people were in the complex when the heavily armed terrorists stormed the morning worship at the gurdwara, and began shooting and throwing bombs, said news reports. The attackers were later killed by Afghan forces.
Many leaders condemned this attack and said they stood in solidarity with the entire Sikh community. Kerala chief minister Pinari Vijayan said: “
Deeply saddened to learn of the attack against a Guruduwara in Kabul. We strongly condemn this reprehensible & cowardly act. Our thoughts are with all those affected. In times of crisis, Sikh community members are often the first responders. The world should stand with them now.”
Dr Khan added that, “ISIS is deadlier than the Corona virus and should be mercilessly exterminated from the face of the earth. Anyone, Muslim or otherwise, supporting ISIS is an enemy of Islam, Muslims and humanity.”
However, there were some who swooped down on this tragedy and started fanning hate between the two communities. Bharatiya Janata Party politician Kapil Mishra led the virtiol and posted, “ काबुल में 11 सिखों की हत्या, गुरुद्वारे पर हमला दुःख, दर्दनाक, अमानवीय… अक्षम शाहीन बाग में लंगर बांटने वाले आज क्या सोच रहे होंगे ?”
He was openly taunting the Sikh volunteers who had stood in solidarity with the women of Shaheen Bagh as they peacefully protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Other Right Wing voices fanned the hate speech with more taunts. “Sikh brothers serving Langer to these jihadi elements at Shaheenbaug opposing CAA should awaken to the reality that jihadis didnt even spare a 3 year old child in Kabul,” said Shriraj Nair who identifies himself as a VHP spokesman.
However, this they were shut down instantly, shamed publicly, and reported by social media users from all communities.