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'Arsonist' attacks Sikh temple
Peter Dominiczak17 Mar 2009
ONE of London's most important Sikh temples has been partially destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
The local Sikh community is mourning the loss of the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, in Bow, and the priceless religious books it housed.
A criminal investigation has been launched and police and fire investigators are treating the blaze as suspicious.
Witnesses today said a man had been run into the temple during a women-only prayer session then escaped just before flames were first seen.
Having spotted the intruder, the 10 women quickly discovered the fire, which had taken hold in one of the holiest parts of the temple. They tried to put it out but were beaten back by the flames.
Witnesses described the suspected arsonist as being black or mixed-race.
Most of the temple's roof collapsed and worshippers fear all but one of its eight holy books were destroyed.
More than 50 firefighters battled the fire for almost eight hours after the being called just after 2pm yesterday.
A witness, Gurpal Singh, 35, an IT worker from Chingford who worships at the temple, said: "Somebody did this deliberately. A man came in and got to the temple's holiest area. He was interrupted by one of the women and managed to get away. As he ran out, the place went up in flames. Everyone panicked. The women tried to put out the fire with buckets of water but it was too fierce."
Mr Singh said the women managed to save one of the temple's holy books, but the flames took hold before they could get to the other seven.
"I can't describe how important those holy books were to the Sikh community," he added. Kulvinder Singh Virk, 26, who runs a local off-licence and is also a member of the temple, said: "This is very personal for us. It's as if a member of our family has been burnt to death."
Kamaljet Kaur, a 24-year-old from Stamford Hill, said her aunt was in the temple when the alleged arsonist struck.
She said: "All the women thought he was a robber. It was only when they got upstairs that they discovered the fire raging. It is lucky one of them wasn't badly hurt."
"Often, more than 200 people worship here. Thankfully it was a quiet day."
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that 75 per cent of the building and the roof had been damaged by the fire.
One worshipper said that in the past few weeks he had noticed racist graffiti on one of the temple's outer walls.
A Met spokesman said: "Police are treating this incident as suspicious."
The temple opened in 1979 and has been a vital part of the Sikh community. The building, which dates back to 1854 was formerly a synagogue and before that a chapel.
Reader views (67)
TO ALL, REMEMBER HISTORY, ACTS LIKE THESE WILL ONLY MAKE THE THE SIKH RACE BECOME MORE RESILIANT / STRONGER & UNITED. THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND DESPITE EVERYTHING WE BEEN THRU IN THE PAST WE ARE STILL HERE AS PROOF THAT WE WILL WITH GURU JI'S BLESSING WILL STILL BE HERE IN THE FUTURE. STAND FIRM.
- Jas Singh, peterborough, u.k, 08/05/2009 10:00
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its such a bruttle attack i hv never seen such kind ,,i think a culprit should be gv a punishment soon and london police should do sumffin.. its juss breaks the heart cant the pics anymore,,y evrytime sikhs have to suffer ,,,
- Harpreet Singh, london, 03/04/2009 21:01
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This is one of the worst incidents i have seen in yrs ,, with communities hanging on a knifes edge and trust amongst religious leaders ,, this is truly a act of unbalancing society.
- Mr P S Suman, Uxbridge ,,, Middlesex, 03/04/2009 14:24
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A HORRENDOUS ACT OF TERROR.THE CULPRIT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES WITH THE ENTIRE SIKH COMMUNITY OF LONDON.
- Jagmohan Ahluwalia, ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA, 29/03/2009 08:57
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Whoever did this must have a sick mind - places of worship should be repected not burnt!
- Tirlochen, Kent, 28/03/2009 10:57
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Why? Is all that is coming to mind as i`m sitting here in india. Its the most horrifying action anyone could take and may god punish him for his doings.
- Jaswant Singh & Nindi Kaur, Hoshirpur India, 23/03/2009 08:23
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sorry to hear about the attacks, its shameful, temple is a place of peace, this type of thing can't stop us to go temple, government shame for this attack if they not arrest him.
- Avtar Singh, grays, 23/03/2009 07:29
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am so sad to hear wants happened to the guruwara , i dont know how people can be so evil, they must not have a life.
- Deshi, portsmouth, 23/03/2009 00:13
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I WAS IN SHOCK WHEN I HEARD WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND COULD NOT AND DID NOT WANT TO BELIEVE IT. I HAVE MADE MANY VISITS TO THIS TEMPLE AND FOUND IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY EVERY TIME I ENTERED. THE UNIQUE HAND PAINTED CELLINGS WERE TO PERFECTION. WHO EVER HAS ACTED IN SUCH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR WILL PAY. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE LONDON SIKHS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PLACE OF WORSHIP.
- Dlip Kaur, BRISTOL, 21/03/2009 13:28
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Although as British Sikhs we welcome the messages of sympathy and shared anguish and pain to the Sikh community over the incident, the SGPC[the highest Sikh body] and other esspecially Indian based and Sikh organisations based elsewhere are kindly requested not to interfere in the affairs of the Sikhs of this country by calling for probes and "speaking on behalf of the UK Sikhs."
There are laws and rules in this country through which such issues are handled and will be handled fairly,honestly and openly.I as a Sikh resident in the UK for the last 39 years have every reason to belief we have a system here that would be fair and above board to handle this sad event.
Avtar Singh Makker [ and other non residents in UK]is advised to refrain from making such provocative statements.Their ignorance and non understanding of our local issues-and carelessly over sensitive statements and actions will alienate a large section of the general public here and place Sikhs alongside the "religion of peace " and its antics.We dont need that.
All of Britain bar perhaps 1- 2 % of the public condemns the sad incident.The alleged culprit is said to be a "black. half caste looking person"- which is more likely to be an opportunist thief- out to steal- sat the fire purely for mischief- no body knows the real reason.
There is NO threat to Sikh lives and security in THIS country- certainly FAR less than that Sikhs in India may have witnessed.
- Gurcharan Singh Kulim, Repton Park, Chigwell, Essex, UK, 21/03/2009 09:50
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Sorry to hear about the attacks. Its shameful, but we will rise out of it, we always do. May god forgive the blind who commited this foul act.
- Ls Bhutta, Brisbane AU, 21/03/2009 06:01
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This is a high-crime made by any Mentally-Sick person/s. Sikhs LOVE thier religion but not harm other religions.Culprit should caught and justice is served.
- Kuldeep Singh, Ambala City (INDIA), 21/03/2009 03:21
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How did the moron know where the Guru Granth Sahibs were? People who knew how to cause maximum distress to (all) Sikhs did this.
- Amarjit Kaur, Scotland, 20/03/2009 22:47
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Heartbreaking news, my sympathy goes out to all the Sikhs who used to regulary visit this Gurdwara.
- Jasmine Kaur, London, 20/03/2009 12:08
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Very sad news. I hope the culprit is caught and justice is served.
- S Khan, London, 20/03/2009 12:03
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This Gurdwara will be rebuilt a bigger and even mightier place than what it was before this vicious attack. The Sikh community will ensure that a landmark Gurdwara will will support the local Sikh community once again. x
- Ishraj Singh Aytan, London, UK, 20/03/2009 12:02
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Its very harsh when people hurt religion or other humans like this.
But Sikhs are peaceful people. The gurdwara will undoubtedly be rebuilt.
- Madhhurbain Singh, faridabad, India, 20/03/2009 11:05
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This is the really very sad thing, How can someone hurt any religion like this.
- Mandeep Singh, NEW DELHI INDIA, 20/03/2009 07:41
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It is very bad, the culprit should be caught and punished ASAP.
- Pardeep Singh Rakkar, Auckland, New Zealand, 20/03/2009 06:56
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This incident has again filled our hearts with tears and sorrow.We sikhs are ONE and these kind elements can't break our "Unity". The Sikh Sangat Gurdwara Sahib will undoubtly be rebuilt and UK Govt should take care of Sikh Grievances and the culprit should be harshly punished for such shameful act done to a place of worship.
This is very hard to think that 7 saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji was burnt. Media is not covering the news seriously. So spraed it like fire among Sikh friends.
- Tarvinder Pal Singh, New Delhi, India, 20/03/2009 06:07
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This is so sad, why would you do this to anyone's place of worship. I hope that disturbed soul who did this sorts himself out. What an idiotic thing to do.
- Jasmeet Singh, delhi, 19/03/2009 17:14
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Its very harsh when people hurt religion or other humans like this.
- Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Southall, London UK, 19/03/2009 11:42
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This is the badest thing a human can do. How can some hurt any religion like that.The person who did this should be seriously punished.UK Govt need to do the action real fast and must not spare these bad elements of the society.
- Rajvinder Singh India, Gurgaon, INDIA, 19/03/2009 09:32
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we hope authorities over there understand the seriousness of the matter and now this will be litmus test for the govt over there to bring the guilty to justice,failing which will instigate more communal tension in the area ,
- Mandeep Singh, delhi, 19/03/2009 07:01
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I strongly condemn this henious act. Person who committed this, will definitely be punished by God himself.
- Bhupinder Singh Sehra, New Delhi, India, 19/03/2009 05:29
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Im soo shocked to hear this...who would want to do such a thing...its a shame...sikhs have never said or done anything to anyone and for this to happen...makes me think why people cannot respect all religions like we do.
- Randeep Atwal, Coventry, UK, 19/03/2009 00:39
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This is so sad, why would you do this to anyone's place of worship. I hope that disturbed soul who did this sorts himself out. What an idiotic thing to do.
I hope this wasn't a racist attack, sikhs have done so much to integrate into society etc. When these kinds of things happen it just creates more tension and hatred.
- N V, London, 18/03/2009 23:59
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These people are not human, if they have a message to give they should come to us sikhs face to face. We are a peaceful community and we know how to protect ourselves.
- Tarlok Singh, UK, 18/03/2009 22:32
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Its really sad that we lost precious bodies of "GuruSahibans".
very very sad 
- Kuljit Kaur Cheema, Edmonton, Canada, 18/03/2009 22:16
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Oh.. Such a sick minds exist everywhere..
I never heard of women only prayer session in Sikh religion. This should stop. In Sikhism men,women live together with no prejudice. It is work of rottens minds to create such a tradition of women only prayer.
Otherwise this sick man could not have done what he did
- Sukhvir Singh, Colorado,USA, 18/03/2009 21:34
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My sincere condolences and heartfelt wishes for a speedy restoration. Although we do not know the motivations of why someone did this it is obviously the work of a sick mind.
- Joseph Owens, Lakenheath, England, 18/03/2009 17:08
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just heard the news its shocking.People who have no respect for another religions actually have no respect for humanity. Sikhism respects all religions we people are not racist. Anyone who has done that god will punish him.
- Sukhdev Singh, london, 18/03/2009 15:04
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It is very sad news
- Simrendrasingh, Hazur Sahib(Nanded), 18/03/2009 15:00
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This has really hurt us all of how someone can just attack our gurudawara. This is a sad day and we all do hope that the arsonist is captured and prosecuted to the fullest.
- Inderjit Bains, Philadelphia, Pennsylvanina, United States, 18/03/2009 14:42
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I feel very sad after getting this news.
- Davinder Singh Minhas, Delhi, India, 18/03/2009 12:55
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Tsis is a very sad news our sikh people but thank god this time is quit.But loss in gurdwara buliding.
- Mr'S Rama Kaur, hounslow, 18/03/2009 12:47
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This is absolutely sickening. Our Guru Granth Sahibs are effectively 'with breath' for us .. I am absolutely disgusted that someone could do such a thing .. I have full trust however that the gurdwara and the community will overcome this.
- Mandeep Kaur Aujla, London, 18/03/2009 10:34
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It's really sad about what happen in the GURUWARA because that was are first home. where we paryer day and night. when we see the fire man beging the holy book out. It's was really big heartbreaker,crying and you can't believe it what happen to are guruwara ji.Are sikh community brothers and sisthers will be there for each other, for the guruwara and too paryer.
- Jugjit Kaur Sighn, EAST LONDON, 18/03/2009 09:44
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this is sad news for the sikh community, more should be done tighten secuirty in our temples.
- Sandeep Singh Dayal, ilford, essex, 18/03/2009 08:49
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This is very shameful to attack a holy place and hurt sentimens of a perticular community.
English Govt.should take it seriously to nab the culprits
- Sarbjit Singh, Patiala Punjab India, 18/03/2009 05:53
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shame to the cowards
- Rabinder Singh, Patiala -India, 18/03/2009 05:42
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it is very sorrow to the all community in all over world
every religion have their own values in their followers
shame to the coward persons who had done this.
- Rabinder Singh, Patiala -India, 18/03/2009 05:35
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This is so upsetting to hear! I can't believe in this day and age someone would do such a thing. However, the culprit probably has mental health issues or something similar...so I feel somewhat sorry for him. We Sikhs are hardworking and peaceful people and we will overcome this horrible situation.
- S Dhami, Ontario, Canada, 18/03/2009 03:28
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I am truly sorry to read this
- Lippy57, England, 18/03/2009 01:16
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Its very sad for all of us to see this kind of things happening ,why some one will have hatred against GOD house ?,CULPRIT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE
- Arvinder Singh, hounslow, 17/03/2009 23:38
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There were a total of 15 Holy Books in the temple and a fire-fighter only saved 1, it was very sad seeing it go it has been there for generations and generations. i hope the Culprit is caught! The Holy books are how Guru our Faith that is what we follow, it was very sad!
- Mrs Satveer Kour, Forest Gate, East London., 17/03/2009 23:00
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It is a very sad day indeed not only for Sikhs but all FREE and civilised society in the United Kingdom.Being the second oldest Sikih Gurduara in London, it was an important historical landmark in the capital for ethnic history.
The Holy book called THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB- is not only the book- but the very Message Uttered for Humanity by God.
It carries the Message of SARBAT DA BHALLA- welfare of Humanity irrespective of race , colour, creed and religion-The Sikh community will forgive the culprit for this poor act of vile cowardism.That is the message of the Gurus to every Sikh, but I hope GOD will for give him...too... as 'you lay awake thinking of the deed you have commited against the House of GOD'.
- Gurcharan Singh, Repton Park,Chigwell, 17/03/2009 22:31
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may the Almighty grant the culprit His Divine Guidance and Forgiveness . . .
- Lakhvir Singh, nairobi, kenya, 17/03/2009 19:32
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i feel very sad that this happened seeing the holy books burnt broke my heart and hearing what had happened during the fire was terrible it was a second home for the sikh community and a very important one too. Thankfully one of the holy books came out safely.
- Jj, london, 17/03/2009 19:03
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I offer my deepest condolences to the Sikh community and I earnestly hope that the perpetrators of this crime are caught soon and identified for who they are.
- Magnus Nielsen, London, 17/03/2009 18:13
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Whoever caused the fire, and whatever his twisted motives, his kind, will never destroy the Sikh Spirit. Sikhs have been through much worse, we have endured, and we have grown stronger in adversity. Research our History. The Sikh community will rebuild this temple, and we will be more vigilant against further attacks.
Sikhs teach that there are many routes to Unity with the Supreme Creator, we do not preach, and we do not condemn those of other faiths. Sikh temples are open to all, we hold free kitchens in all our temples throughout the world, for those that are in need. All are welcome to sit and and rest, without duress.
To our Friends, thank you for your support.
- S.S.Soor, london, 17/03/2009 18:06
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my condolences to the sikhs of east london, i was married in this Gurdwara (sikh temple)and my father preached there many a time. all places of worship are vulnerable because of their nature of openess.I know for a fact this building was converted to a sikh temple with funds from londons hardworking sikhs.lets hope it was not arson as it would be a shame because it would have been an act of hatred aimed at dividing peace loving londoners. On behalf of all Sikhs i would like to thank everyone for there messages of support (it proves how great a nation the uk is)
- Narinder Singh, luton uk, 17/03/2009 16:56
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I have some Sikh friends and they are the most peaceful people I know - I think we all have an idea who the perpertrators of this awful crime were. Surely not someone from the 'religion of peace'
- Matthew, London E1, 17/03/2009 16:30
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I could not belive what i was seeing on the news about the temple being on fire.I just froze with shock and a feeling of loss. Tears forming in my eyes, it was unbearable to comprehend something like this could happen in this day and age.I have many relations in london who go to that temple and i to have been there many times for religous functions.My thoughts are with all the london community who had links with the temple, particular with the sikh community and my relations. It is only by the grace of god that the temple was not busy like it is normally and that nobody got hurt.My thoughts and a very big thankyou to the firefighters who yet again did a wonderful job
- Sukwinder Singh, Sparkhill / Birmingham, 17/03/2009 16:20
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I as a Sikh came in touch this community in 1977 the tmple was bought and the community worked very hard to build it to it up date glory. We hold charity bike ride every year in support of Mayor's Appeal Fund this community so generous and give so much fund and supportive in every way. It my tribute to this hardworking community. May God forgive the evil who set alight a community's asset.
- Arvinder Singh Khalsa, Hornchurch Essex, 17/03/2009 16:05
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Very upsetting to hear,
How could someone do such a thing, Sikhs are a peaceful community who have done allot for this country.
I hope the perpetrators get caught.
- Drew, Elms Park, Essex, 17/03/2009 16:00
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It seems like an obvious racist attack. The person who did this will get punished and I hope gets the apprpriate sentence as this is no little crime. It is a hate crime and will not be tolerated.
- Simar, Hounslow, 17/03/2009 15:54
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I am sure the great majority of British people will feel solidarity towards the Sikhs. They are an asset to this country. I hope the culprits are caught and punished.
- Beatriz, London, 17/03/2009 14:58
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The Sikhs in this country have always been hardworking and never been a probem fitting in. Unlike some l could mention, you don't hear them constantly complaining. They are like us in many ways, and do not seperate themselves like some do.
- Sylvia, Epping Essex, 17/03/2009 14:56
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My best friend lives in the block of flats in the right on the picture. I've been going to the area for the best part of 25 years, and that temple has always been a focal point for the local Sikh community. They seem a peace-loving people. It's a shame that someone has decided to desecrate their place of worship like this.
- Andy Seaman, Bow, London, 17/03/2009 14:39
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From my experience; the Sikh community are a great credit to the UK and they are honourable people.
Look for those that have an axe to grind against them; and you will have your guilty party etc.
My respect to all the Sikh’s in the UK; rebuild and carry on; you are strong and good people.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 17/03/2009 14:10
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This particular temple has done nothing but support the local community; never have they imposed a burden on local finances or residences.
- Jasraj Aytan, London, UK, 17/03/2009 12:52
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This is heartbreaking...
Sikhs are peaceful people. The gurdwara will undoubtedly be rebuilt.
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK, 17/03/2009 12:30
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the sikhs are wonderful hardworking persons with a work ethic, reliable, great buisnesspeople, a great loss.
- Dan, london, 17/03/2009 11:53
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That's a shame,Sikhs are lovely people who practise one of the most peaceful and inoffensive religions.
- Kev, London-UK, 17/03/2009 10:43
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UTTERLY SHAMEFUL, WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING????????
ANNIE
- Annie, croydon, 17/03/2009 10:12
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Deep sorrow at the loss of one the oldest Gurwaras in the UK. My thoughts are with the community. However even in the darkest hour, I know that The Khalsa will rise up and rebuld the Gurdwara many times more magnificent than before.
- Pal Singh, Solihull England, 17/03/2009 10:01
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