WASHINGTON, Nov 13 � US President Barack Obama today wished people �Happy Diwali� and �Aaal Mubarak�, as he praised the resilience of Sikhs in the aftermath of the tragedy at a Wisconsin Gurdwara this year in which six members of the community were gunned down.
�To those celebrating Diwali, I wish you, your families and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,� Obama said. �Earlier this year, we were reminded of the evil that exists in the world when a gunman walked into the Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and opened fire,� he said.
�In the wake of that horrible tragedy, we saw the resilience of a community that drew strength from their faith and a sense of solidarity with their neighbours, Sikh and non-Sikh alike,� Obama said.
�We also saw compassion and love, in the heroic actions of the first responders and the outpouring of support from people across the country. Out of a day of sadness, we were reminded that the beauty of America remains our diversity, and our right to religious freedom,� the US President said. � PTI