Muslim organizations condemn killings in Orlando

Category: Featured Topics: Orlando Shooting, Terrorism, Violence Views: 2061
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Muslim communities from across the country are expressing shock, grief, and condemnation of the mass killings this morning in Orlando, Florida.

Below are some of the organizations that have released statements on this tragic incident.

Islamic Society of Central Florida

Speaking during a press conference with Orlando law enforcement, Islamic Society of Central Florida Imam Muhammad Musri described the attack at Pulse Orlando nightclub as a “mass shooting” and suggested action should be taken to stop such shootings.

Imam Musri said: We don’t wish this on anybody else and we hope this would be the last of the mass shootings that our country has been going through. I think as a nation we need to look at this issue of mass shootings because we just had one too many today. I think we should do something about it to stop the mass shootings that are happening all the time.

Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations

"We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured," Rasha Munarak, the CAIR Florida Orlando regional coordinator. "The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence." The council is urging Muslims to donate blood to those who are injured.

Muslim Public Affairs Council

MPAC President, Salam Al-Marayati, released a statement saying: Today, our hearts are heavy with the horrific news of a hateful homophobic mass shooting targeting a gay club in Florida, which has taken the lives of 50 people and injured at least 53 others. We join with the LGBTQ community and all Americans in expressing our profound outrage, grief, and condemnation of this sickening act of senseless violence that violates all human decency. Hate, bigotry and violence are our common enemy.

We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and injured, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ community as we deal with the aftermath of the despicable crime. We are in touch with federal and local law enforcement about the investigation surrounding this tragedy.

We urge Muslim Floridians to donate blood to aid the injured and to extend their giving and prayers for all those affected by this mass shooting.

MPAC and many other American Muslim groups around the country have strong ties with LGBTQ communities and groups, and have worked together to oppose hate, intolerance, and bullying which impacts both of our communities.

As we all grapple with this senseless tragedy and we learn more about the motives and facts of the case, we will be reaching out to LGBTQ communities with condolences and solidarity. As President Obama said at his press conference this afternoon, let us stand together in our grief and outrage, and our solidarity with the victims and their families.

As Muslims, we believe in religious freedom, civil rights, and human rights. We reject violence, hatred, and discrimination toward anyone on the basis of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. We support civil rights for all people. May God guide us all as we strive in His cause.

Islamic Society of North America

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is outraged by the horrific shooting in Orlando, Florida.

We stand with the victims of this senseless act of violence and mourn with the families of the victims and pray for their ease and comfort during this time of difficulty.

In a statement, ISNA President Azhar Azeez said: "ISNA sends its condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. We urge the community to stand united against all acts of violence."

Council on American-Islamic Relations

Executive Director Nihad Awad said in reaction to the attack: "We are sickened and heartbroken by this appalling attack. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. There can never be any justification for such cowardly and criminal acts, period."

Islamic Shura Council of Southern California

The Islamic Shura Council of southern California joins the nation in its unconditional condemnation of the senseless and horrific violence and mourn the loss of lives in yet another mass shooting in the city of Orlando, Florida. We extend our sympathies to the families of the victims and ask the Most Compassionate God to grant full recovery to the injured and bless them with patience and strength.

"We condemn the horrible violence in Orlando, Florida and stand in solidarity with the nation for peace and harmony for all and at all times," said the Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi.

Islamic Educational Center of Orange County

No words of condemnation of the horrific mass killings in Orlando, taking the lives of 50 and injuring many more, can possibly express the pain and anguish of all caring human beings of our Nation. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were mercilessly slain during this devastating event.

By way of this statement, The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California joins with all Americans in calling for the swift action to rid us of the evil of wanton mass killings. As we continue to come to grips with yet another tragedy of our time, we remind our fellow Americans that we all have an added responsibility to reach out to all our neighbors, school friends, and workmates, to reiterate the eternal truths of compassion and mercy embraced by all humanity through our respective faiths.

Together, we must send a clear message that those who kill our fellow citizens that such horrific acts are totally unacceptable. When human civilization adopts praiseworthy traits in their conduct such as truthfulness, honesty, consciousness, benevolence, and sense of justice it benefits all. Similarly, humans descend to their worst when, injustice, and intolerance become the misguiding principles.

Islamic Center of Southern California

The Islamic Center of Southern California expresses its utter shock, dismay, and sadness at the mass murder of 50 people at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Needless to say, we express our unequivocal and total condemnation of this act.

We pray God has mercy upon the victims, and showers His comfort upon the victim's families in this terrible period of tragedy.

This is a devastating event for the nation, being its worst mass shooting.

The Islamic Center of Southern California reiterates its pledge and commitment to counter violent extremism, as well as do our part in healing our nation.

Pacifica Institute

We Strongly Condemn the Heinous Attack on Innocent People in Orlando.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Orlando terror and hate attack. We condemn all forms of religious and other forms of extremism that teach hatred and incite violence. However, we need to do more than merely condemning these horrific acts and proactively take steps to counter the "cancer" of extremism.

First, our society as a whole needs to deny the extremist narrative that their actions represent Muslims. It goes without saying that Muslim Americans should promote the peaceful message of Islam.

Our deeds matter more than our words. We should build institutions and programs to cater to the needs of our youth and provide them opportunities to develop social skills to be productive members of our multicultural society. It is imperative to invest in our youth so that they are driven more by hopes and dreams, not hatred and fear of the others.

Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA)

We are deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in Orlando, Florida. Our heart goes out to families of the victims and our prayers are with them in this hour of need.

The Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA) condemns the barbaric attack that occurred on Sunday June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. At least 50 people were killed and over 53 were injured.

COPAA extends its deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. It is evident that now more than ever, we must work together to counter extremism. Our heavy hearts are with the families of the victims.

Muslim Advocates

Statement of Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera: “We are horrified and saddened by the mass shooting that took place at an Orlando nightclub this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims of this despicable act of violence. Our hearts are also with the LGBTQ community in Florida and throughout the United States. The LGBTQ community has stood side by side with the American Muslim community during challenging and difficult times. We stand together against hatred, violence and demonization of entire communities. Today, we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community. Your grief is our grief. Your outrage is our outrage. We are all one family.”

Muslim leaders of Colorado

More than a dozen Muslim Imams and leaders from across Colorado issued a statement at the Colorado Muslim Society on Sunday.

“Our hearts are broken as we grieve with the families of those who were killed or injured this early morning in Orlando at Pulse nightclub. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones impacted by this tragic crime. We stand hand-in-hand with our family members, neighbors, and community partners from the LGBTQI communities in condemning and opposing any and all violence, especially that is which perversely perpetrated in the name of religion,”

Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC)

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), representing Chicago area Muslims, is greatly saddened by the hateful killing of scores of people in Orlando, FL this morning. We condemn the killings, express sorrowful condolences to victims’ families and pray for health of those injured. Our sadness is multiplied knowing that the shooter, Omar Mateen, apparently belonged to the Florida Muslim community. CIOGC has urged Chicago area mosques to conduct blood drives designated specifically for the victims of Orlando shooting.

CIOGC has also reached out to the local leaders of LBGTQ community to express condolences. “It is no secret that Islamic teachings consider the marriage to be between a male and a female - and, Islam is not alone in this regard - however, this kind of hatred, terror and killing is completely contrary to the teachings of Islam and unequivocally condemned”, said Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin, Chairman of CIOGC.

Muslim Community of Treasure Coast

On behalf of the Muslim community of the Treasure Coast, Florida, we would like to express our shock, sorrow, and condemnation at the murder of 50 people this morning inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Like everyone else, we are searching for answers and trying to understand why and how this happened, and what caused it to reach this point.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with the families of the deceased and the injured.

Especially during this month of Ramadan, a time of deep spirituality, compassion, self-control, and generosity, we are horrified by this action.

“Whoever kills a person it is as though he has killed all humankind. And whoever saves a life; it is as though he had saved all mankind” (Qur’an, 5:32).

LGBTQ community has stood side by side with the American Muslim community during challenging and difficult times. We stand together against hatred, violence and demonization of entire communities. Today, Muslims stand in solidarity with the gay community.

As proud Americans, we reiterate our commitment to peace, safety, and security of our nation, as well as our solidarity with fellow Americans.


  Category: Featured
  Topics: Orlando Shooting, Terrorism, Violence
Views: 2061

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