To the Editor:

The Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley is outraged by the ruthless and barbaric act of violence and total disregard for humanity in the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.

There is absolutely no justification for such an act in any religion.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed or injured. Our prayers are with all those that are affected by these senseless atrocities.

While facts are still emerging regarding the motivation of the perpetrator, the massacre at an Orlando night club [June 12] has shaken our community to the core.

Sadly, we are in a situation where preliminary facts indicate the shooter bears a Muslim name and is being referred to as a U.S. citizen. Even though his name may associate him with Islam, know that Islam does not associate itself with him.

There is no justification in Islam for senseless murder. The level of hate and violence inflicted on innocent Americans because of their appearance or religious faith is now at a crisis point.

While Islam represents a wide swath of individuals from different nationalities and backgrounds, we are bound together by a common purpose: We believe in the core American values of religious pluralism, equality and inclusion.

As a nation, we must denounce the hate-fueled sentiment and bigoted rhetoric that has become much too frequent in our public and political discourse.

The essence of our country after all is E pluribus unum; out of many comes a strong, unified one.

We call upon our elected leaders and civic, faith-based and educational institutions to take steps to address xenophobia, racism and anti-religious hate in our country today. We urge all individuals, regardless of faith or background, to speak out against bigotry at workplaces, schools and family kitchen tables.

As Americans, we must stand together to protect our nation’s values of equality and freedom for all.

Kamran Siddiqui

president

Muslim Association

of Lehigh Valley

Whitehall