Messages of sympathy from global partners following Orlando tragedy
Global Ministries mourns with the people of Orlando following the tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub on Sunday. As we mourn, partners have shared prayers, expressions of sympathy, and statements at this difficult time. We share them here.
From the United Protestant Church of France
From the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
Message of prayers and solidarity
From the Islamic Society of North America
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is outraged by the horrific shooting in Orlando, Florida.
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.
In a statement, ISNA President Azhar Azeez said:
“ISNA sends its condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. We urge the community to stand united against all acts of violence.”
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.
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organization in North America. Its mission is to foster the development of the Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic engagement, and better understanding of Islam.
From the the Council on American-Islamic Relations
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will held a news conference with national and local leaders of the Muslim community and with interfaith representatives to condemn the deadly shooting spree at an Orlando, Fla., nightclub that left at least 50 people dead.
News conference participants offered condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured and will respond to newly-revealed information about the shooting suspect. They will also ask the Muslim community nationwide to take part in a blood donation drive for those injured in the attack.
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.”
Earlier Sunday, 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.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
From the US Council of Muslim Organizations
The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), the largest coalition of leading national and local Muslim organizations, expresses its horror over the mass shooting which took place at a nightclub in Orlando, FL overnight, and offers its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prays for quick recovery for those who were injured.
The shooting, where over 50 were killed and at least the same number were injured, is an affront to all minorities. The USCMO stands firmly against all forms of violence committed against any group, regardless of religious affiliation, creed, color, or sexual orientation. “We condemn such heinous acts by individuals or groups who have no regard for the sanctity of human life” said Oussama Jammal, the secretary general of USCMO.
The right to live free from violence, harassment or intimidation is the most basic human right and must be defended unconditionally.
The USCMO urges the Muslim community in Orlando, Florida to step up to donate blood and to reach out to the injured and to the families of the victims.
From the National Council of Churches in Korea
May God’s comfort be with all those wounded by the mass shooting spree in Orlando, Florida.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.” Psalm 43:5
The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) shares the solidarity of our hearts and comfort with those who were wounded, as we cannot hide our fear and our grief at the news of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida in the early hours of the morning on June 12th where 50 were killed and another 53 were injured.
This incident is a horrific crime of terrorism based on groundless hatred and disgust. Senseless violence that threatens the lives of vulnerable communities and destroys families must not be tolerated.
The NCCK is of one mind with all those who were wounded as we pray that, with comfort and healing, some recovery may come.
Also, we hope to be in solidarity with the churches of the world hoping to achieve a world of peace and coexistence through embracing each other and breaking the streak of discriminatory violence.
One more time, for the victims of this appalling violence and their families, and those whose hearts are sick from this disaster, we hope and pray along with the US Church and society that God’s comfort and history of healing will be with them.
Rev. Dr. Kim, Young Ju, General Secretary, National Council of Churches
From Bishop Medardo Gómez of the Salvadorian Lutheran Church
This twenty-first century has begun as a century of terrorism. It is beyond any comprehension how humanity in each and every era turns itself more violent. There a sinful complacency in the ways people express hate and vengeance. There is no respect for life but praise for the taking of it from the innocents.
Our Lord Jesus Christ confronted terrorism. He was informed about the killing of Galileans, which occurred in a temple. The biblical story narrates that governor Pontius Pilate was the intellectual author of that massacre. Jesus Christ himself used that event as an illustration of the people who died when the tower of Siloh was torn down. (Luke 13:1/5)
God doesn’t ignore the sin of terrorism. Thus, because of these kinds of crimes, provoked by terror, we call for commitment, for a wide human manifestation against terrorism, a claim for justice, and for the seeking of peace.
What has occurred in Orlando, Florida, is a cry of humanity and is part of the humanitarian crisis that we are living in. In our society, young people, poor migrants, people with sexual diversities have become victims, massacred and left out as the most suffered, deeply marginalized, dear sons and daughters of God.
The world is simply shocked. The Salvadorian Lutheran Church is full with pain, not only for the victims that were Salvadorian but for every victim, for the people of United States, for our sister churches, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S.A. and Canada, the United Church of Christ in the U.S.A., the United Methodist Church of U.S.A., the Presbyterian Church of U.S.A. and others.
Receive our love, our tears as we weep with you on this moment and, above all, receive our prayers for the families of the victims, joining hands together to strengthen the mission of God between our churches, as instruments of peace.
“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”Ephesians 6: 11-13 (NRSV).