By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
Gays, straights, Muslims and Christians joined together to express their condolences to Orlando and the countless families impacted by the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub, leaving 50 dead and many more injured.
Echoing the sentiments of the world, Filipino Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach wrote on Instagram, “I am staying true to my word as the LGBT community is close to my heart. It’s 2016, there’s no room for hate anymore. #PrayForOrlando #NoHateJustLove.”
New York Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) tweeted her sentiments, calling the attack “horrific.”
Horrified by the shooting in #Orlando. Please join me in sending thoughts & prayers to all who have been impacted by this horrific attack.
— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) June 12, 2016
LGBT activist and actor George Takei wrote “whatever the madness behind this, let us all come together first to support victims and their loved ones.”
We all form the Pulse of America. #OnePulse pic.twitter.com/braFLJOHFM
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 12, 2016
Daayiee Abdullah is America’s only openly gay imam. He told the Daily Beast “Nowhere in the Quran does it say punish homosexuals. The actions of ISIS in killing gays is fueled by a perverted understanding of Islam. An understanding typically learned by word of mouth, not an actual reading of the text and understanding of the principles of Islam.
South Asian Americans Leading Together joined with the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance and South Asian Lesbian Gay Alliance-New York in issuing the following statement:
We take this time to honor our partnership with LGBTQIA communities to take on hate violence and domestic terrorism directed at our communities. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to speak out, demand policy change, expect law enforcement to protect our communities, and lift up each other’s humanity. We cannot allow tragedy to divide our communities when solidarity is more important than ever. And, for everyone who stands at the intersection of Muslim and LGBTQIA identities, we offer you extra love and support. We see you and we stand with you.
In Nevada, an interfaith service involving Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i, Native American and Atheist was held at South Reno United Methodist Church,
“We, as people of faith, despite our different belief systems, must take a stand against violence by coming together with kindness and love,” said Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism.
