Dear Respected Sadh Sangat Ji,
Last week in San Bernardino we witnessed the second deadliest attack on American soil since 9/11. We are saddened by the loss of innocent lives and pray for the Chardhi-kala of the victim’s families during these difficult times. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of such an attack we often see a rise in the number of hate-based incidents against our community. We encourage you to contact law enforcement and report any incidents to SALDEF. Even more importantly is our hope that we avoid the temptation to be fearful during these times. Instead, let’s recognize the legacy of our history and remain steadfast in our convictions—no person should be targeted for their faith. As President Obama also reminded us on Sunday, “Freedom is more powerful than fear. It is the responsibility of every faith to reject discrimination. We have always met challenges by coming together around our common ideals as one nation as one people.” Let us honor the lives that were lost with vigilance against intolerance, discrimination, and injustice. Gur Fateh, The SALDEF Team