WASHINGTON: California’s Muslim community expressed its horror on Wednesday at the mass shooting that killed at least 14 in San Bernardino, after a local Muslim man and his wife were identified as suspects.
Syed Farook, a US citizen who worked for the town’s health department, and his wife Tashfeen Malik, are believed to have been killed in a shootout with police hours after opening fire inside a Christmas party at a local social services center.
Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the
Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said its members “unequivocally condemn the horrific act that happened today.”
“The Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans in repudiating any twisted mindset that would claim to justify such sickening acts of violence,” he added in a statement.
Authorities have drawn no connection between the attack and radical Islam at this stage in the investigation.
Muzammil Siddiqi, the religious director of the Islamic Society of Orange County, also condemned the killings saying they were contrary to the teachings of Islam.
“We have condemned all violence everywhere because human life is precious,” he said. “And we respect and honor human life.”(News United)