Arson, Forgiveness, and Healing in a Post-9-11 World: A True Story of Transformation
Session Description:
In just two months, the hatred unleashed by the 9/11 attack reached Gobind Sadan in a small rural area in Upstate NY. Four teens got drunk and mistook our Sikh turbans for followers of Bin Laden and decided to do their Patriotic Act and burn us out. But in the midst of the inferno, Guru Granth Sahib survived to triumph over hatred. We immediately recognized a teachable moment and shared Baba Virsa Singh ji’s powerful prayer of forgiveness which helped transform the lives of the young people and turn the act of hatred into a lasting peace. Come hear the story of “God’s House without Walls” on our 20th-anniversary celebration, “Gathering Around the Light,” and be part of the miracle that love and forgiveness can bring to transform hate. Hear from the lead ATF arresting officer, the DA, and one of the young people herself. Hear the story that was carried around the world by AP and BBC, that in the words of Guru Nanak Devji “Everyone is part of my community, I see no one as an outsider.”