Washington - On Sunday, April 2, 2000, a memorial service for the 40 Sikh victims of a village in Kashmir was held in which leaders of various religions joined in prayers. In addition, U.S. Government representative expressed sympathy with the families on behalf of the State Department. This service was organised by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and National Sikh Center, both based in Washington, at Clara Barton Community Centre and was attended by more than 250 people.

Mr. Rick Haynes, India Desk Officer, at the US State Department, said, that there have been happier times when I have been with my Sikh friends but this was very sad moment. He added, "I am here because the people of America share the views of President Clinton who said, "We share your outrage and heartbreak over (the) ....brutal attack in Kashmir. We offer our profoundest sympathies to the people, especially to the families of the victims. It reminds us of what tremendous suffering this conflict has caused India. The violence must end. This should be a time for restraint, for respect for the Line of Control, for renewed lines of communication. While we do not yet know who committed this atrocity, we join with you in affirming it is unacceptable. We look forward to a time in which all of the people of the subcontinent may focus their energies on improving their lives, free from fear and threat of violence."

A prominent Jewish leader, Jack Serber of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington, said, "We share your grief and deplore the despicable slaughter of your fellow Sikhs in Kashmir. We, as Jews, have learned by bitter experience that an attack on the life and liberty of any one threatens all of us. And we believe that we must all speak out against the use of violence in the name of religion to further political and economic goals."

He further added, "We know that we are one people. Regardless of the name by which we call on the Supreme deity we share one God. Regardless of our diversity of race, ethnicity, colour or religion, we are one people.

"We mourn with you the loss of your brethren. Let me read to you the two prayers which are recited by Jews in memorializing the dead. Our Kaddish, which is read whenever we honour the memory of our dear departed, is a paean extolling God and speaks to the living. The second prayer, EI male Rachamim, memorializes the departed.

Elizabeth Orens, a Protestant from Washington National Cathedral and the President of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, said, "how good it is that we can gather today from may different faith traditions to mourn the death of the Sikh men who died in Kashmir - a land so far away. Our hearts are full because the killing of these men - fathers, brothers, husbands, friends - was so meaningless, the action so brutal. All of us know what it means to lose a loved one, and can identify with loss, but the magnitude and horror of this tragic event stirs our hearts and troubles our mind - so many beloved men struck down in their prime. The massacre was sudden, unexpected, calculated and ruthless. No matter what faith tradition we come from, we know about such persecution and barbaric action. We also know from our different faith traditions that the killing of innocent people is unmitigatedly condemned (Thou shalt not kill: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: do not kill). This kind of random killing catches us to the quick. How can we grasp its meaning? Even Job, who questions innocent suffering, calls out in anguish: "But I speak, and my pain keeps raging: I am silent, and have no relief. For disaster has worn me out, and suffering has made me wither."

Our purpose today, however, is not to philosophize about suffering or make moral pronouncements, or enter into political debate. Today, we are called to mourn and turn our hearts to God in faith. Today, we are asked to pray for the souls of the departed and to pray for the wives, children, family and friends who are bereaved. Today, we turn to God, the True Name, to be with us, to tend to our sorrow, to ease our minds, and attend our grief. We humbly ask God, who knows the depth of our sorrow, the grace of peace. We also ask for the blessing of helping those who suffer still. This is a time, no matter what faith we come from, for us to be in heartfelt solidarity with one another especially our Sikh friends.

Ms. Orens then recited the hymn of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. She also read a poem from St. Francis of Assisi)

She prayed, "For these souls, and the souls of all the departed,

Through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

There was a significant presence of Hindu leaders at the memorial service. Seven out of eleven Hindu temples officials were present to express their condolences and their sympathy with the Sikh community. Dr. Satish Mishra recited the Vedic hymns expressing the message of love and peace. In addition, Dr. Sushil Jain of the Jain Society and also a representative of the United Hindu Jain Temple Association, an umbrella group of all Hindu temples in Washington, recited hymns from Jain scriptures expressing the message of understanding and peace. He condemned the terrorist attack on the Sikhs.

Dr. Diane E. Sherwood, Assistant Director of the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, said, "In a poetic manner of speech, let me add that, as a Roman Catholic, I prayed to God, asking: "Oh God, how shall I bring comfort to the Sikhs in their suffering and loss, how shall I encourage them and bring wisdom at a time of profound confusion over the meaningless act which faces them, how shall I find the right words for their beautiful memorial?"

She further added, "It is important that we all have an opportunity to stand with your community at this time. We firmly believe that an attack on one is an attack on all- this is what the InterFaith Conference is about".

She read an official document of the IFC called "To our common cause" by way of expressing IFC’s response to the massacre in Kashmir of 40 Sikh men.

This declaration, echoed the sense of togetherness. She read, "In an era when the forces of division and decay abound, we as religious communities in the metropolitan Washington area have dared to come together. WE HAVE COME TOGETHER BECAUSE OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND HUMANITY INSPIRES IT; OUR CONCERN FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND PEACE DEMANDS IT; AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER REQUIRES IT." "A REALIZATION THAT MIGHT IS NOT RIGHT; THAT HUMAN POWER IS NOT SELF-SUFFICIENT OR ABSOLUTE, AND THAT IN GOD IS OUR TRUST". "A belief that love, compassion, selflessness and the force of inner truthfulness and of the spirit have ultimately greater power than hate, enmity, and inordinate self-interest". "A SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE POOR, THE HUNGRY AND THE OPPRESSED, AND TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE. A profound hope that good finally will prevail".

In addition, Baha’i representative Mattie Mattinson, and Dr. Claritta Smiley representing the Mormon faith read from their respective scriptures.

Amrit Kaur, secretary of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, thanked all the participants. She said, "we feel overwhelmed with the support we have received from all faith communities. She also appealed for a fund drive to help the victim’s families to which she received an enthusiastic response.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, Executive Director of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, thanked the faith communities for their support. In addition he said, "The U.S. Government must be more proactive in the search for the terrorists, and that it must press upon the Government of India to conduct a thorough judicial inquiry, make the findings public, and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. The Sikh community in the United States has the right to expect as much, and so does the Sikh community around the world". Dr. Singh also pointed to "the conflicting claims and counter-claims, whereby India blames Pakistan and Kashmiri militants, and Pakistan blames India’s intelligence agencies, that caused additional anguish to the families of the victims, while doing nothing to solve this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice."