To the editor:
I am grieved, shocked and shattered over the mass shooting at Orlando. It is a bone chilling and despicable act by the perpetrator and I condemn it wholeheartedly. Such acts are against the moral teaching of any religion including Islam. There can be no justification for such ruthless acts against innocents. Such attacks on civilians are inhuman, vicious and dreadful whether it occur in Orlando, in our country or elsewhere. I send out my heartfelt condolences and my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and the injured.
The perpetrator seems to have acted based on his own personal and anger issues. The behavior reported in the media is not of a practicing Muslim. However, the media is always biased in this regard to rush to the conclusion by calling it Islamic terrorism without realizing that this type of media promotes Islamophobia. I fear that this can lead to further racial and religious polarization in our country, making it more severe than as it is seen today through our presidential campaigning.
Instead of initiating a debate over the ban of assault weapons to save humanity, the media is leading the discussion in the wrong direction that goes against the American dream of one community living together in peaceful coexistence.
Muhammad Shafiq, Ph.D.
Rochester
