Muslim American Rapper Zaki Syed Becomes Voice for Tolerance Following Wisconsin Sikh Massacre

Zaki Syad is the Muslim American rapper behind a spoken word rap tribute to the victims of the August 5th Sikh temple shooting near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He tells anchor Marco Werman about why he felt compelled to make the YouTube rap video that urges tolerance and understanding in the wake of the Wisconsin shootings.

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Marco Werman: Even when immigrants are settled in a country for generations, that doesn’t mean they necessarily feel accepted. The recent shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin has left many, in and outside the Sikh community, wondering about their place in America.

[As a Muslim I support Sikh unity/As an American I’m gracious for what the Sikh’s have done for me/But most importantly, as a human being I see/A horrible tragedy which will always remain/But I hope those listening will spread the message of peace from terrain to terrain/To ensure that those who died on August 5th did not die in vain.]

Werman: Zaki Syed is the rapper behind this spoken word tribute to the victims of the Sikh temple. He joins us from Sacramento, California. Zaki, how soon after the shootings at the temple did you write this rap?

Zaki Syed: I wrote it almost immediately. We found out about the Sikh temple shooting…I’m not Sikh, but I have a lot of Sikh friends. After 911, I got bullied a lot because I’m Muslim, and the Sikh students at my school protected me and they took me in as one of their own. And throughout the years I was able to go to their temple and religious gatherings, spend nights at their house, they cooked me food. So, when this happened, I really felt like I had to give back to the Sikh community, so I was very passionate. I was so troubled by what happened that I immediately wrote the lyrics. So, it was a spur of the moment thing. I didn’t have a lot of money, so I felt this was the only way I could really help and use the talent of rap.

Werman: You know for the video for your spoken word tribute, you’ve got this powerful photo of this Sikh doctor-he’s in camouflage, and even his turban is camouflaged-he’s in a U.S. military operating room taking care of a soldier. It kind of coincides with a line from your rap where you’re targeting the media for stereotypes about Sikhs and Muslims. I mean, how have you felt that as a Muslim?

Syed: Well, I think that the media has always stereotyped-made a stereotype-that anyone who has a beard, who has a turban, must be a terrorist. That’s very untrue and, in fact, most Muslims don’t even have turbans. So the purpose of putting that picture was showing that Sikh people are also part of society. They’re soldiers, they serve the United States Army, they’re our friends. They’re on our side, they’re not against us, they’re working with us. And this is the way they dress is just a religious and cultural thing. It has nothing to do with their loyalty to their country.

Werman: So, I’m curious to know what has been the reaction from Sikhs, both here and abroad, to your song?

Syed: So, when I did this, I performed live at the Sacramento capital. The reaction from Sikhs was very, very positive. They really were proud of me. They felt like I was bringing Sikhs and Muslim’s together. But most of all, the Sikh community has been extremely supportive in this rap. In fact, it was my Sikh friends who put those videos and those images together. I wrote the lyrics, but they helped me with everything else. So, very, very supportive and they’ve encouraged me to continue my work and to educate people about what Sikhism is and how loyal and friendly Sikh people are. So, overall it’s been very good.

Werman: You know, going back to 9-11, when you first found that affinity with the Sikh community, you were 13 years old. Now you’re 24, you’re getting your master’s in sociology at Sacramento State. As a student of sociology, how optimistic are you that, in the aftermath of tragic shootings like those in Wisconsin, a dialogue can get going?

Syed: I’m optimistic. I feel like “I hate for tragedy to ever bring about good things” but I feel like it can open up a dialogue. It’s not the first time Sikhs have been targeted because of hate crimes. It’s happened numerous times before; I know numerous people it’s happened to. About a year ago, two people were shot in Elk Grove, which is close to Sacramento. So, it’s common, but I feel like this brings awareness to the fact that Sikh people have been targeted because of hate crimes. So, it hopefully brings up the dialogue and people can see and understand that Sikh people are friendly people. It brings awareness.

Werman: So many rappers in recent years have sort of moved away from this social message of hip hop and rap. Who are your role models in the rap world, Zaki?

Syed: My role model right now is Immortal Technique, because he’s always trying to encourage people not to stereotype based on religion. Another person I really like is Lupe Fiasco. He’s also talked about how rap is going towards the wrong way and he’s trying to bring it towards a positive message. But I’ve got to say, Immortal Technique is still my favorite of al time.

Werman: Zaki Syed, rapper and sociology student at Sacramento State.

[All I see is the greatness of love/ Faces of love still rising above/It’s insane that the media complains/But still constantly puts stereotypes in our brains/But all I see is the greatness of love/Faces of love still rising above/Yeah, all I see is the greatness of love]

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