Seattle Muslims condemn Orlando massacre, call for blood donations

SEATTLE, Wash. — American Muslims across the state are condemning the actions of a shooter who killed at least 50 people in a Florida nightclub Sunday morning, causing the deadliest mass shooting in U.S history.

At least 50 others were wounded during the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

The Washington State chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations spoke during a church service in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

"American Muslims, like all Americans, are shocked by this tragedy,” CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari said. “American Muslims, like all Americans, are praying for the victims and their families.”

Read the full statement below.

"My heart goes out to the families of the victims in Orlando.  This is a horrible tragedy.  American Muslims, like all Americans, are shocked by this tragedy and American Muslims, like all Americans, are praying for the victims and their families and for the swift recovery of those injured.  Muslims believe that God favors the peaceful. American Muslims condemn all violent, criminal acts, and they uphold the Constitution and the laws of the United States. American Muslims share the same American values and freedoms that we all cherish, knowing that we are all in this together."

CAIR is the largest Muslim civil liberties organization in the United States.

Florida’s Muslim community has also condemned the massacre, alongside leaders of Florida’s gay community.

CAIR is urging American Muslims across the nation to donate blood in the name of the shooting victims.

The organization encourages everyone to donate to the victims and their families. You can donate by clicking here.

Officials and first responders from around Washington state flooded social media with support and prayers for the Orlando community after news broke early Sunday.

A candlelight vigil was held in Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park Sunday night, where city residents and officials paid respects to the victims and families of the shooting.

You can watch it live by clicking here.

Read more about Seattle support here, or leave thoughts and prayers on the KIRO 7 Facebook page by clicking here.

Cox Media Group