ADAMS Joins Call for Investigation of Death Threat

A Sterling family received a letter on Feb. 28, addressed to the “Turban Family”, which accused them of association with “a secret Taliban movement” and threatened to “shoot” the family “dead” if they do not leave the country.

A local Islamic group has joined a Sikh legal and educational organization in calling for an investigation into the letter, which tells the Sikh family, “Our People in the neighborhood have been closely watching your activities.”

“The death threat that this family received runs counter to the American ideals of freedom of religion, tolerance, and acceptance,” said Jasjit Singh, associate executive director for the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, in a press release. “Incidents like these are constant reminders of the challenges that Sikh Americans face as a result of their unique identity. Unfortunately, Sikh Americans often face acts of discrimination, violence, and harassment due to ignorance.”

The Sikh religion—founded in South Asia more than 500 years ago by Guru Nanak—has more than 25 million adherents worldwide, including about 700,000 in the United States. A SALDEF press release explained that dastaars (Sikh turbans), uncut hair and other articles of their faith distinguish observant Sikhs. Followers of the Sikh faith are sometimes mistaken as Muslims by perpetrators targeting adherents of Islam.

SALDEF—founded in 1996 with the mission is to protect the civil rights of all Americans and ensure a fostering environment in the United States for Sikh Americans—contacted the FBI and local law enforcement and has requested an investigation of the incident as a hate crime.

“We call upon local and federal law enforcement agencies to classify this incident as a hate crime and bring the perpetrators to justice to show that acts of hate and threats of violence are not tolerated in our society,” Singh said.

The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) offered words of support to the family and the Sikh community.

“ADAMS has great friendships with the Sikh community through our mutual work in Loudoun Interfaith Bridges and The Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington,” an ADAMS representative stated in a written response to questions about the incident. “ADAMS calls upon the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate this as a serious hate crime. We extend our sympathy and concern to the Sikh community.”

The response also pointed out that ADAMS works continuously with local law enforcement and federal agencies such as the FBI “to assure the safety of all Sikh, Muslim, and all communities, and to prevent hate crimes while building enduring relationships based on knowledge, respect and cooperation.” 

ADAMS called for a response that sends “a clear message that any such intimidation or hate crime against any innocent communities in the United States, will never be tolerated. We are confident that even the most heinous threat or acts of a few misguided people will not alter the proud and centuries old tradition of America as a beacon for religious freedom, and for welcoming people of all races, religions, backgrounds and cultures.”

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Liz Mills confirmed that an investigation is underway, but was unable to offer more details.

“Right now, the matter is under investigation and the LCSO is working in conjunction with the FBI," Mills said. "Because of the nature of the investigation we can’t provide any further details.”

To be called associates of the Taliban, in particular, likely stings because Sikhs have demonstrated against and been targeted by the extremist militant and political group that is best known for its presence in Afghanistan.

The Sikh family in Sterling has been the target of previous hate crimes, according to SALDEF.  In 2003, while living in Gaithersburg, MD, their home was vandalized with graffiti and they received two threatening letters. In 2005, after moving to Leesburg, they received two more death threats via mail. The FBI apprehended a suspect in the 2005 case, according to SALDEF.

ADAMS pointed to several incidents during the past decade that demonstrate the types of bias attacks, verbal and physical, experienced by Sikh Americans.

In 2010, two Sikh Americans were tragically killed in Elk Grove, CA; another two were shot there in 2011, killing one and badly injuring the second. “This was clearly the same twisted backlash that hit American Muslims, directed not just at their faith, but simply because their long beards and turbans are thought to only mean one thing—they are Muslims and therefore legitimate targets for xenophobic hatred!” according to the ADAMS response.

During the past year, mosques or mosque construction sites in Virginia—recently in Chantilly—Massachusetts, Oregon, Ohio, New York, Iowa, Maine, Georgia, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, California, and Michigan have been targeted by arson, vandalism or threats. In May 2010, a bomb exploded at a Florida mosque. A recent fire at a Kansas mosque remains under investigation, according to ADAMS.

Text of letter received by Sikh family in Sterling:
“Our People in the neighborhood have been closely watching your activities and figured out you are a close associate of a secret Taliban movement on the US Soil. We ask you to leave the country as soon as possible otherwise one of our people is going to shoot you dead. Don't attempt to relocate somewhere else in America as people are closely monitoring your day to day activities.”