“We are here today to commemorate and to offer our sincere prayers for the fourteen lives that were lost so tragically in San Bernardino, CA.  Our thoughts and prayer are also with the families of those whose lives were lost as well as those who are still recovering from the events of that terrible day.  Whatever happened that day was not Islamic in any way, shape, or form and 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 blamed for this atrocity and we condemn uncategorically this act of violence and any other such acts being perpetrated in the name of Islam, both domestically and internationally.”

Dr. Bajwa also read a message from Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifa (Caliph) and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, issued on November 14, 2015 after terrorist’s attacks in Paris. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I would also like to reiterate that all terms of terrorism and extremism are completely against the true teachings of Islam. The Holy Our’an has said that to kill even one innocent person is akin to killing all of mankind. Thus under no circumstances can murder be Justified and those who seek to justify hateful acts in the name of Islam are serving only to defame it in the worst possible way.”

At the end Dr. Bajwa requested all those who were present in the prayer vigil to join him in offering silent prayer. He said:

“pray that may Allah have mercy on us all and enable us to live together in peace and understanding, Amin.”

Local News Media:

1. http://www.wftv.com/videos/news/muslim-leaders-invite-trump-to-orlando-mosque/vDgDDG/
2. http://ahmadiyyatimes.blogspot.com/2015/12/usa-florida-muslim-leaders-invite-trump.html
3. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-muslims-condemn-shooting-20151211-story.html
4. http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/muslim-leaders-invite-trump-orlando-mosque-lesson-/nph2P/
5. http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2015/12/12/muslims_stand_agains.html
6. http://newspot.me/n/01JMhFKQ