Statement from the Muslim Community Network on recent mass violence

First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured in last night’s attack. As always, we thank the brave first responders who heroically saved countless lives in the face of danger.

The Muslim Community Network stands with our fellow New Yorkers as we pray for a peaceful future and a tomorrow free of the violence we experienced last night. Together we will get through this and continue to stand strong as one. We are proud to stand beside representatives of diverse religious traditions and community leaders at tonight’s prayer vigil in Foley Square to honor the victims, their families, and our nation tonight. The vigil will unite a large coalition of interfaith partners and community organizers and will exemplify the solidarity of New Yorkers in rejecting senseless violence and hatred.  

During this difficult time, we urge our leaders in public office to search for common sense solutions based on evidence to deal with mass violence like the incident our city experienced last night, as well as the tragedies in Las Vegas, Charlottesville, and others that have occurred in recent years. In order to truly find effective solutions to these devastating attacks, we must look at mass violence as a whole, instead of singling out any one race, nationality, or religion. If we have learned anything from the epidemic of mass violence in our country it is that hatred knows no race, religion, ideology, or nationality.

We pray for kindness to conquer hate and for peace to each and every one of our neighbors. May our city know no more pain.