Mid-South Sikh Temple Cautious After Wisconsin Shooting

(Cordova, TN) Leaders from the local Sikh community are saddened to hear about the mass shooting in Wisconsin, at a temple similar to theirs.

“It is very difficult to say why anybody would pick a place of worship for this kind of violence,” said Mid-South Sikh Sabha President, Surjit Singh Kamra.

The group learned about the mass murder that took six lives right as they started their Sunday morning service.

“We dedicated that service for the victims and the family of the shooting in Wisconsin,” said Kamra.

He says Sikhism is a peaceful and welcoming religion.

He doesn’t know whether or not the shooter targeted the group because it’s made up mostly of those from Indian decent.

“Coming at the heels of the movie theater shooting, we don’t know if this guy had any purpose behind it or whether it was a random case of violence,” he said.

They are discussing increasing security at the temple because the building is open 24-hours a day for worship.

They’re even considering reaching out to police.

“The law enforcement agencies in this city and in the country are very responsive to the concerns of their communities, so if we feel in any way insecure, they will be addressing the situation,” said Kamra.

For the time being, Kamra says the worship will continue, just a little more cautiously.

The Mid-South temple has been at the location in Cordova for five years and hasn’t had any problems.