Expressing shock and grief the Hindu Americans denounced the cowardly attack on Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11 innocent people and injured many.
In a release the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA said that they stood in solidarity with the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Describing the event as horrendous act at the Tree of Life synagogue, the HSS release said that such hate crimes have become all too frequent targeting one group or another in the USA.
The Hindu Americans strongly denounce this violent hate crime that has taken the life of 11 innocent people as they gathered to celebrate their culture in their place of worship, the release said.
This act shocked the HSS members, the HSS release said adding “our hearts go out to the families of the victims”. Dr Vinod Ambastha, President of HSS USA said: “HSS stands with the Jewish Community in Pittsburg and across the country as it deals with this tragedy”. He further said that the HSS always stood against the hate crimes and terrorism in all its ugly forms.
The HSS release said that they (Hindu Americans) know all too well what it is to be a victim of hate crime and terrorism. “We relate with the Jewish community as it experiences such extraordinary pain and anguish. Accepting and respecting differences, a hallmark of democracy and a proud American tradition must guide our action”, it added.
Prof Ved Nanda, HSS, America Zone President said, “We grieve and mourn with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and across the country. The hateful rhetoric that is dividing the country must stop”. We earnestly hope that the anti-Semitic rhetoric is rejected and denounced by all”.
Donald Trump calls it assault on humanity: US President Donald Trump called the Pittsburgh synagogue attack “an assault on humanity” and said that hearts of all Americans are filled with grief following the monstrous killing og Jewish Americans at the Tree of Life synagogue.
“This evil anti-Semitic attack is an attack on all of us, it is an assault on humanity. It will require all of us working together to extract the hateful poison of anti-Semitism from our world. This was an anti-Semitic attack at its worst,” Trump added. “The scourge of anti-Semitism cannot be ignored, cannot be tolerated, and it cannot be allowed to continue . It must be confronted and condemned everywhere it rears its very ugly head.”
Vice President Pence also condemned the shooting while speaking at an event in Las Vegas, saying, “There is no place in America for violence or anti-Semitism.”
Pope Francis expresses ‘closeness’ to Jews: Meanwhile, a Vatican report said that Catholic Head Pope Francis has expressed “Closeness” to the city of Pittsburgh and in particular to the Jewish community of the city, hit by the attack.
Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, speaking to the 10,000 people present in St Peter’s Square, in spite of the rain, Francis had spoken of the Synod assembly and expressed grief over the brutal attack.