DEARBORN – Muslim advocates in Michigan and across the U.S. strongly condemned the mass shooting early this morning at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida that left 50 dead and dozens injured.

“We are extremely sad and horrified by what happened,” said Dr. Mansoor Qureshi, president of the Michigan chapter of the Ahmaddiya Muslim Community. “We condemn it in the strongest possible words. Whoever did it is beyond crazy, he’s a lunatic. … It’s such a tragic loss of life.”

“We pray for the victims, we pray for humanity,” Qureshi said. “We will continue to do whatever we can to save life, to support the lives of all.”

“It is tragic to hear anytime a life is taken in such a senseless act of violence,” said Mahir Osman, secretary of public affairs for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in metro Detroit.  “Such brutality has no place in a civilized society. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community of metro Detroit mourns the loss of our brothers and sisters in humanity and prays for the speedy recovery of the iMuslims across the nation put out statements strongly condemning the shooting and called for Muslims to donate blood for the victims. 

CAIR also called for Muslims to donate blood to help the victims of the shooting.

“We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured,” said Rasha Mubarak, the regional coordinator for the Orlando chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).  “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.”

The organization held a press conference on Sunday evening to condemn the massacre, as well as to proclaim that the Muslim community should stand behind the LGBT community.

Dawud Walid, the executiive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, wrote on Twitter: “No grievance can justify the wanton violence that took place at the club in Orlando.”

Azhar Azeez, the president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), headquartered in Indiana, said his group “sends its condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. We urge the community to stand united against all acts of violence.”