No words of condemnation of the horrific mass killings in Orlando, taking the lives of 50 and injuring many more, can possibly express the pain and anguish of all caring human beings of our Nation.  We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were mercilessly slain during this devastating event.

By way of this statement, The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California joins with all Americans in calling for the swift action to rid us of the evil of wanton mass killings. As we continue to come to grips with yet another tragedy of our time, we remind our fellow Americans that we all have an added responsibility to reach out to all our neighbors, school friends, and workmates, to reiterate the eternal truths of compassion and mercy embraced by all humanity through our respective faiths.

Together, we must send a clear message that those who kill our fellow citizens that such horrific acts are totally unacceptable.  When human civilization adopts praiseworthy traits in their conduct such as truthfulness, honesty, consciousness, benevolence, and sense of justice it benefits all. Similarly, humans descend to their worst when, injustice, and intolerance become the misguiding principles.

Shia Muslim Council of Southern California