Leaders of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Washington, D.C., and in Florida have issued statements condemning a terrorist attack on a nightclub in Florida.
Both the Florida chapter and the national leadership planned to hold press conferences today (Sunday, June 12) concerning the mass killing at an Orlando nightclub.
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was holding a press conference Sunday afternoon (June 12). On Sunday morning, CAIR-Florida’s Orlando Regional Coordinator Rasha Mubarak said in a statement:
“We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured. 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.”
From the nation’s capital, CAIR National 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.”
In Oklahoma City, Adam Saltani, director of CAIR in Oklahoma, said in a Facebook statement, “As an American Muslim, I am disgusted and heartbroken at yet another tragedy that has shook us as a nation. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community during this difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts and prayers and with the victims and injured as we attempt to understand what has happened and why.”
NOTE: Editor Patrick B. McGuigan contributed to this report.