Afghanistan Embassy in DC honors Hindu, Sikh victims of recent terror attack in Afghanistan

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib hosted a memorial service at the Washington, DC Embassy of Afghanistan on Sunday, July 15, to commemorate the Sikh and Hindu victims of the July 1 terrorist attack in Jalalabad.

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the Islamic State in Afghanistan and has intended to drive the remaining small population of Hindus and Sikhs from the country, according to a press release.

“This occasion is one that brings us together to recognize a community that has deep roots in Afghanistan. For many, they often think of the minority Hindus and Sikhs as migrants from India. But in reality, the Hindus and Sikhs of Afghanistan are the original residents of this country,” Ambassador Mohib said at the beginning of the program.

While Sena Lund, the president of the New York-based Afghan Hindu Association recited the names of the 18 slain Sikh and Hindu leaders, Asha Kapoor of the local Asamai Hindu Mandir recited a speech in Dari, the official language of Afghanistan

Sounds of sacred traditional Sikh hymns, sung by leaders of the local Washington gurdwara and National Sikh Campaign, as well as verses from the Bhagavad Gita, recited by Pandit Ram Kumar Shastri of Silver Spring, Maryland’s Asamai Mandir, filled the air.

Jay Kansara, HAF Director of Government Relations, addressed the assembly asking those afflicted by the tragedy to not lose hope and that Hindus and Afghans have had more than 5,000 years of history binding the civilizations, sharing destiny in democracy.

“We at the Hindu American Foundation pledge to be with you every step of the way as Hindu and Sikhs seek full enfranchisement in Afghan society,” Kansara said.

Puneet Kundal, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India, conveyed condolences from the Government of India:

“I am here to express my condolences of the Government of India, the Embassy of India, and indeed the people of India to the Government of Afghanistan and people of Afghanistan for the loss of life that this dreadful violence has cost you. The very fact that you are organizing this event here today is a representation of the sentiments that the government of Afghanistan feels for these communities.”

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, as well as the first Hindu in the U.S. Congress, also conveyed condolences, read by a representative of her office:

“This brutal attack is yet another example of the fear, bigotry and hatred that sadly exists in our world. During the Taliban regime, Hindus and Sikhs were forced to wear yellow patches to identify themselves in public, furthering extreme prejudice, and eventually forcing many to seek asylum in India. These fear tactics and attacks attempt to divide us, but we cannot give into this hate. We must confront hatred with love, fear with understanding, and darkness with light. We must continue to stand up to bigotry and hatred in Afghanistan, here at home, and around the world.”

A letter from the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback was read by a senior official from his office at the U.S. State Department:

“The loss of these community leaders was a terrible blow, not only to Afghanistan, but also to the international community. The Sikh and Hindu communities have a long and distinguished heritage, and this horrific attack will not diminish that. Our office will continue to monitor the conditions faced by religious minorities in Afghanistan. I stand with you and will work toward an Afghanistan that is peaceful and secure for all its people.”

Closing the event, Joginder Kapoor, former president of the Afghan Hindu Association, emotionally made a direct call to action:

“What the future holds for us, a miniscule minority, does not look bright as long as foreign insurgents are in Afghanistan. They must be eradicated. These radical Islamic terrorist groups must be wiped out from the face of the earth. We pray that peace and tranquility return to this once a peaceful nation so our children, and our children’s children, who live outside Afghanistan can one day be able to visit the land of their forefathers without any fear and prejudice.”

The event was organized by the Afghan Hindu Association, in conjunction with the Embassy of Afghanistan, with the assistance of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).