Temple fire suspected arson

PALERMO, N.Y. -- A fire that destroyed a Sikh temple in upstate New York was set deliberately, but investigators say they don't know why.

The temple, Gobind Sadan USA, was set ablaze Sunday.

"We're handling it as an arson," Oswego County Undersheriff Bob Lighthall said Tuesday. "I don't know if it's kids in the area that just happened to pick that property ... or if it's because of their religion."

The temple was housed in a former farmhouse about 25 miles north of Syracuse.

Sikhs have been mistakenly associated with Arabs or Muslims because they wear turbans and have beards. Reports of hate crimes against Sikhs poured into the Sikh Coalition, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in the weeks following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Temple spokesman Ralph Singh said the group has gathered to offer prayers of forgiveness to those who set the fire. He also said the community has offered help, money and other sanctuaries for the Sikhs.

"This provides us the opportunity to help rebuild and repair the overall community, to rebuild the sense of love and compassion which will triumph over the hatred in our society," Singh said. "Out of that love, the building in its time will also be rebuilt."