SAN JOSE -- Among the hundreds who gathered Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil at Sikh Gurdwara San Jose to remember the victims gunned down Sunday in Wisconsin were a smattering of newcomers, warmly welcomed by the congregation.
They were given the required head coverings and led through a ritual paying respect to the Sikh holy book.
Scores of Sikh temples across the nation took part in similar vigils Wednesday night, and more will do so in the weeks to come. The San Jose event featured speakers representing various religious denominations, all committed to a fundamental tenet that all faiths must be respected.
Andrew Kille of the Silicon Valley Inter-religious Council read a comment posted on an online forum online: "I was going to post something telling you the differences between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, but then I realized you don't need to know anything about someone's religion to know not to shoot them."
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As a line of worshipers slowly moved to the front of the temple, traditional hymns were sung and photos of the victims of Sunday's rampage were projected onto a screen: Sita Singh, 41; Ranjit Singh, 49; Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65; Prakash Singh, 39; Paramjit Kaur, 41; and Suveg Singh, 84.
They were gunned down by Wade Michael Page as they prepared for services. Wade, who had white supremacist ties, was shot by police, then committed suicide.
"This is a sad time," said Jimmy Bhullar, who worships at the San Jose gurdwara. "But this is also when people can learn."
For example, Bhullar said, Sikh temples aren't open to the community just for candlelight vigils after tragedies. They're open 24 hours a day, he said, and people are always welcome to come.
"They can come, and get food and get shelter," he said. "A whole part of our religion is giving and hospitality."
Roopi Atwal said that as people learn more about Sikhs, perhaps they will see past a different outward appearance.
"We hope it goes beyond learning to tolerate," said Roopi Atwal. "We want to not just be tolerated, but be accepted, as citizens and friends."
Contact Eric Kurhi at 408-920-5852. Follow him at Twitter.com/erickurhi.