It's been less than a week since six worshipers at a Wisconsin Sikh temple were shot and killed by a gunman police say had ties to neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
, located in North Potomac, has held special prayer services to honor those killed.
The shootings have raised concerns about extremist groups operating across the country and police in Chicago and other jurisdictions have reportedly increased surveillance of such groups.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), there are 18 "hate" groups operating in Maryland, including two in Montgomery County.
The Center for Perpetual Diversity, located in Gaithersburg, is on the list but does not consider itself a "hate" group, according to a man who answered the center's phone but declined to give his full name.
He surmised about why his group landed on the SPLC list. "I guess they just hate me," he said.
He said he believes the SPLC adds groups to the list that don't agree with their organization's message.
The Silver Spring chapter of the Council of Conservative Citizen, also on the list, could not be reached for comment.
Here is the SPLC list of "hate" groups in Maryland:
Aryan Nations 88 Neo-NaziCenter for Perpetual Diversity White Nationalist Gaithersburg Council of Conservative Citizens White Nationalist Silver Spring Creativity Movement Neo-Nazi Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ
Black Separatist
Baltimore Jamaat al-Muslimeen General Hate Baltimore Ku Klos Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan
League of the South Neo-Confederate Clements Maryland National Socialist Party Neo-Nazi Elkridge Maryland State Skinheads Racist Skinhead Baltimore Nation of Islam
Black Separatist Baltimore Nation of Islam
Black Separatist
Curtis Bay National Black Foot Soldier Network Black Separatist
Baltimore National Socialist Movement
Neo-Nazi
Elkridge Rebel Brigade Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
South Africa Project White Nationalist
SS Regalia Neo-Nazi Edgewater United Knights of Tennessee Order of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Do you think these groups should be considered "hate" groups? Tell us why or why not in the comments.
The tip line is for tips for crimes that are not currently in-progress. To report a crime that is imminent or occurring, dial 911. Additionally, this article details behaviors that might indicate that someone has the propensity to become violent: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-08-12/warning-behaviors-killings/57016422/1
People need to learn that the world revolve around many cultures and relious believe. And no one is better then the other. So instead of continuing to go backwards; let's take a deep breath and turn this thin around for the betterment of our country and our future.