INDIANAPOLIS -- Muslims in Indiana wasted little time in condemning the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, a shooting for which a radical terrorist group took credit.
"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," read a statement from the Islamic Society of North America, headquartered in Plainfield. ISNA is the largest Muslim organization in the U.S. "We encourage our members to donate to help with the immediate, short-term needs of the grieving families and our members in Florida to visit a blood center today to donate blood to help the victims of the shooting."
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The shooter in Orlando, identified by police as Omar Mateen, had previously been investigated by the FBI. Several reports indicated he called 911 prior to the shootings and pledged allegiance to the leader of ISIS. An outlet affiliated with the terror group later said that the group took credit for the killings, though it also denied that ISIS had prior knowledge of them.
Other Islamic groups were also outraged that someone claiming the Muslim faith would kill so many people. "Islam teaches in the Quran that the killing of an innocent is like the destruction of all mankind. We extend our condolences to the victims' families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," said Samin Khan with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Indiana. The Ahmadiyya Muslims regularly set up displays at the Statehouse during legislative sessions, and the national group also operates the MuslimsForPeace.org website.
