MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Omar Mateen slaughtered nearly 50 people at a gay nightclub called Pulse in Orlando, Florida.
Mateen was a Muslim, and investigators believed the attack was inspired by an Islamic terror group.
“It hurts my heart to know that this was done to innocent lives,” Kalimah Azeez Rashada, with the American Muslim Advisory Council, said.
Rashada was disgusted by the mass shooting.
“To be in a situation to see that life has been taken is always something that weighs on us,” Rashada said.
Mateen’s violent actions are not a reflection of Islamic principles, Rashada told WREG.
“To see this and to see it associated with the religion of Islam is disheartening for myself and I believe all of the Muslims that witness such an act,” she explained.
Other Islamic groups, such as the Midtown Mosque, said it is not fair for society to generalize the religion and expect them to denounce actions when attacks happen.
“We always see some kind of retaliation when some heinous crime has taken place,” Rashada said.
While Memphis Police have not gotten any word of threats, the American Muslim Advisory Council said the community is being proactive.
“We are prepared with working with different law enforcement agencies in order to maximize — minimize. Not maximize — but minimize any potential threats that may be coming our way,” Rashada said.
The threats could potentially put their lives in danger because of one man’s actions.
“Let’s not allow this situation to become Islamic phobia. Let’s not allow this situation to divide the minority groups here in America.”
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