BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Services just wrapped up at the Sikh Society of Minnesota when Kehar Singh got word of a shooting at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee that left seven dead, including the alleged gunman.
"I have got a brother-in-law and his family in Racine and they go to that temple," Kehar said.
Kehar doesn't know yet if they were at the temple at the time of the shooting. While he waits to hear from his family, Kehar is trying to understand why.
"Those things happen but you always wish that they don't happen," he said.
There are 500 Sikh families in Minnesota. Half of them worship in Bloomington, home to the state's only Sikh temple.
It's one of the fastest growing religions in the world but Sikhs are often confused for Muslims, mostly because Sikh men also wear turbans and grow facial hair.
The Sikh religion is part of Hindu religion, said Manjeet Singh. The religion has been around for more than 500 years and he has never heard of any Sikh temple being targeted in the U.S. He hopes this is an isolated incident. For now Manjeet said they turn to scripture for strength.
"We believe in prayer for the congregation together. Prayer in congregation is more powerful," Manjeet said.
There are an estimated 300,000 Sikhs in America. Many of them will be holding prayer services to honor the victims including the Bloomington temple.
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