The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) condemns the tragic and horrific Orlando mass shooting, and rejects any possible motive for this terrible act, whose perpetrator is still being investigated as a possible hate crime, mentally unbalanced individual, and/or lone wolf terrorist sympathizer. We send our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured.
We appreciate the Orlando Muslim community’s response in condemning this attack, and we join in urging the entire Muslim community to take part in a blood donation drive for those injured in the attack. http://www.local10.com/news/muslim-community-condemns-orlando-attack-calls-for-blood-donations
For us in Virginia, this tragedy brings back horrible memories of April 2007, when Virginia Tech student Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is also too reminiscent of the equally horrific hate crimes like the attack in South Carolina on an African America Church, attacks in movie theaters and schools and too many more. Such incidents are a too frequent reminder of the number of individuals driven by hate to commit unspeakable acts.
This horrific Orlando attack however should NOT be used to vilify and stereotype the peaceful and law abiding Muslim community in America. Islam absolutely condemns and forbids terrorism and extremism. The Quran, Islam’s revered text, states: “Whoever kills a person, it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.”
Islam promotes the sanctity of human life, the dignity of all humans, and a respect for human, civil rights. Islam teaches religious freedom and emphasizes the same universal moral values accepted by the majority of people of all backgrounds. These are the same principles on which the US Constitution was established and the Bill of Rights was approved.
Muslims believe there is “No compulsion in faith” and we reject violence, hatred, and discrimination toward anyone on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, familial status, sexual orientation and national origin.
FATWA (Religious Ruling) Against Terrorism: