ICSC Statement of Solidarity with the Sikh Community and Our Interfaith Partners
Statement of Solidarity with the Sikh Community and Our Interfaith Partners
The Islamic Center of Southern California stands in unwavering solidarity with our Sikh neighbors following the horrific and senseless attack on Harpal Singh in North Hollywood. We are heartbroken by the violence and pain inflicted upon him, and we grieve alongside his family and the entire Sikh community during this profoundly difficult time.
The Sikh community has long been a steadfast friend and partner in our shared work for peace, understanding, and justice. Their pain is our pain. Their call for safety is our call for safety. As neighbors here on Vermont Avenue, and as members of a shared human family, we affirm that every person deserves to live in dignity, free from fear and hatred. Violence against one community threatens the safety and moral fabric of all.
Our faith compels us to speak out against injustice and to protect the dignity of every human being. The Quran reminds us:
Whoever saves one lifeit is as if they have saved all of humanity.(Quran 5:32)
And the Prophet Muhammad taught:
None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.(Bukhari & Muslim)
We love peace, safety, and dignity for ourselvesand we want the same for our Sikh brothers and sisters, and for all of our interfaith allies and neighbors. In this moment, we commit to holding space for the Sikh communityto listen, to bear witness, and to ensure they are supported by the people around them.
May God grant Harpal Singh swift and complete healing, surround his loved ones with strength, and guide all of us toward a future where compassion overcomes hate.
We are an independent organization whose primary goal is the development of a vibrant American Muslim identity through spiritual, educational, and recreational activities.