Leaders of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community condemn senseless killing of innocent people in Orlando, Florida

 Leaders of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community condemn senseless killing of innocent people at a night club in Orlando on June 12, 2016. President of the Orlando Chapter, Dr. Wajeeh Bajwa. Said:

"We are here today to offer our sincere prayers for the 50 lives that were lost so tragically in Orlando in the early hours of Sunday, June 12, 2016. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those whose lives were lost, as well as those who are still recovering from their injuries. Our community is deeply saddened - Whatever happened today was not Islamic in any way, shape, or form. We, as Ahmadi Muslims, stand together with all of the peace loving people of the world, no matter their faith or race.  Our hearts are broken because our faith is once again blamed for this atrocity, even though the perpetrator’s actions could not be further from the teachings of true Islam; we condemn un-categorically this act of violence and any other such acts being carried out in the name of Islam, both domestically and internationally. 

We pray for the swift and full recovery of the injured, and for our heroic law enforcement officers. We continue to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

The Khalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, recently said how the misguided and the radicalized are creating havoc. He said: “We can all see how satanic influences are leading to brutality and murder. Innocent people are being slaughtered and the perpetrators claim they will be rewarded with a place in heaven.”

Islam teaches reverence for all human life. This is a time to pray and act to stop such senseless violence in our nation.

May Allah have mercy on us all and enable us to live together in peace and understanding, Ameen."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Orlando's mayor on Monday (6/13/2016) revised the death toll in the nightclub shooting to 49, from 50. The 50th body was identified as gunman Omar Mateen.

Photos, Links, and other items related to the coverage of the prayer service held by Orlando Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA are given below:

Embed from Getty Images

Links:

1. http://www.mysinchew.com/node/114346/tid=13
2. http://wisconsingazette.com/2016/06/12/orlando-mosque-to-hold-prayer-vigil/
3. https://www.facebook.com/tracyewalker/posts/10154189154310420?pnref=story
4. http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2016/6/12/orlando_shooting_vigils.html
5. http://fusion.net/story/313048/pulse-nightclub-victims-vigils/
6. http://newsyarn.com/orlando-muslims-turn-in-prayer-after-the-shooting-that-the-community-on-the-edge/
7. http://muslimgirl.com/25789/deadliest-gun-shooting-u-s-history-targets-orlando-nightclub-lgbt-community/
8. http://www.msn.com/en-ae/video/news/orlando-muslims-turn-to-prayer-after-shooting-puts-community-on-edge/vp-AAgYeI8
9. http://worldnews.usa.extra.hu/latest/360304_orlando-muslims-turn-to-prayer-after-shooting-puts-community-039-on-edge-039
10. http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/after-the-deadly-shooting-in-an-orlando-fla-nightclub-on-june-12-politicians--/de/News/50002612
11. https://www.facebook.com/haaretzcom/posts/10154162079036341  [http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/americas/.premium-1.725019 and Hebrew (it was also front page in Hebrew print on 6/14/2016) http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/world/america/.premium-1.2974935]
12. http://thelakeandeswave.com/2016/06/15/us-muslim-leader-strongly-condemns-orlando-attack.html
13. http://sacredheartspectrum.com/2016/06/muslim-leaders-condemn-orlando-nightclub-shooting/
14. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-mateen-contradicts-islam-teaching-new-voice-061616-20160616-story.html