Sikh Temple in Orangevale Responds to Hateful Vandalism
Report and pictures by Ras H. Siddiqui
The Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh Temple) in Orangevale, California was vandalized with hateful graffiti spray painted at their entrance sign soon after they opened their doors at this location on January 13 th. The perpetrators of this mischief left symbolic Nazi swastikas and “White Power” hate graffiti at this site.
Orangevale is a sleepy suburb just east of Sacramento known for many older houses on large lots with a farm-like rural feel, as some here still have barns and horses on their premises.
A growing Sikh congregation envisioned that this was a good place to establish a Gurdwara because the community could use one to cater to the cities around them. Little did they know that someone would try to make them feel unwelcome in such a way in Sacramento County of all places, which is generally well-known for its diversity and acceptance. Sikhs have been a presence in this part of California for well over a hundred years and were amongst the true pioneers of our South-Asian Diaspora in America. They may possibly have an older presence in this region than the ancestors of those that carried out this act!
On January 25 th the Orangevale Gurdwara held an open house to respond to the hateful act by making non-Sikhs feel welcome and to reach out to any in the area that may have any misconceptions about the Sikh faith or people. It was a very well-organized and attended affair as this writer found it difficult to find parking upon arrival. I had visited this site three days earlier and got to enjoy their traditional Punjabi hospitality with freshly brewed Cha (tea) and snacks as I received an individual tour of the facility including its beautiful Diwan Hall. I also visited the basement Langar where the food is prepared and served along with the location of a weekend school where the Sikh religion is passed on to the next generation. Overall it is a beautiful place for meditation and making spiritual connections. One finds it hard to believe that someone would not appreciate it. Perhaps out of ignorance?
This open house was held to counter ignorance. The majority of the participants present were not of the Sikh faith. It started off with a Kirtan or singing from the Sikh holy scriptures along with a warm welcome accompanied by refreshments. The formalities were held in the large Diwan Hall (the main prayer area) which was filled to capacity. Emcee Dr Jashan Singh started with his words of welcome and a presentation on the basics of the Sikh faith by Dr Sraon followed.
A long list of speakers graced this occasion starting with Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost along with US Attorney Eastern District (Federal) McGregor Scott, California Assembly member Kevin Kiley, CAIR Sacramento spokesperson Oussama Mokeddem representing the Muslim community, Shepherd of Sierra Presbyterian Church Reverend Virgil Nelson, Sikh spokesperson Opkardeep Kaur, Florin Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) leader Andy Noguchi, the Sacramento Jewish Federation’s William Recht and from the Hindu community Shalendra Sharma of the Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple. A number of Sikh youth also came to the podium to read the letters of support from friends and neighbors received by the temple after this hateful act. A short question-and-answer session followed and since we were at a Gurdwara, a traditional Langar (food service) closed the event.
All the presentations were welcomed and extremely supportive of the occasion. And if one could just briefly pick a single unusual show of support from the list of speakers here, it would be the Florin JACL gesture. By presenting the Sikh Temple several colorful stings of paper cranes (birds), the area Japanese-American community showed its support for this congregation from their heart. These cranes symbolize health, happiness, and hope. Recently, they have also come to project solidarity, and are presented to others undergoing challenges.
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