Local Muslims react to Orlando attacks
Ammar Naji, a Muslim living in Colorado Springs believes devout Muslims across the world are grieving together for the dozens of victims.
“Not only Muslims in America, but I’d say all Muslims would feel sad, would have the feeling of sadness for what happened,” Naji said.
ABC News confirmed the gunman, Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS moments before committing the worst attack on American soil since September 11, 2001.
“People think ISIS represents true Islam the fact is what ISIS is doing is contrary to Islam,” Arshad Yousufi with the Islamic Society of Colorado Springs said. “It is both a patriotic duty and a religious duty to stop any evil by any means.”
In a statement from the White House, President Obama said: “This was an act of terror and an act of hate. As Americans we are united in grief, outrage and resolve to defend our people.
Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump asking for the president’s resignation on Twitter for not calling the attack as radical Islamic terrorism.
Trump tweeted: “Is President Obama going to finally mention the words radical Islamic terrorism? If he doesn’t he should immediately resign in disgrace!”
Yousufi contends its Trump who should take a lesson from this.
“His best strategy would be to communicate and discuss the matter with Muslims,” Yousufi said.
Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton released a statement saying:
“I join Americans in praying for the victims of the attack in Orlando, their families and the first responders who did everything they could to save lives.
This was an act of terror. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are hard at work, and we will learn more in the hours and days ahead. For now, we can say for certain that we need to redouble our efforts to defend our country from threats at home and abroad. That means defeating international terror groups, working with allies and partners to go after them wherever they are, countering their attempts to recruit people here and everywhere, and hardening our defenses at home. It also means refusing to be intimidated and staying true to our values.
This was also an act of hate. The gunman attacked an LGBT nightclub during Pride Month. To the LGBT community: please know that you have millions of allies across our country. I am one of them. We will keep fighting for your right to live freely, openly and without fear. Hate has absolutely no place in America.
Finally, we need to keep guns like the ones used last night out of the hands of terrorists or other violent criminals. This is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States and it reminds us once more that weapons of war have no place on our streets.
This is a time to stand together and resolve to do everything we can to defend our communities and country.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper tweeted: “Our hearts are broken over the devastation in Orlando; but the outpouring of love & light is more powerful than any hatred behind it.”
