Leaders from Mississippi’s Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities as well as those of other faiths gathered in the chapel of Tugaloo College in Jackson, last night, to pray and reflect on Sunday’s shooting.
The shooting at the Orlando gay nightclub killed 49 people and injured 53 others.
Reverend Brian Seage is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.
“Our tradition calls for us to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being,” says Seage. “I think one of the ways we can do that is by coming together as one against these horrible, evil attacks that have taken place in our world. It certainly took place Sunday morning.”
The shooter, twenty-nine-year-old Omar Mateen, claimed allegiance with the Islamic-militant group known as ISIS.
Fatih Ozcan is with the Dialogue Institute of Mississippi -- a group dedicated to recognizing religious and spiritual diversity.
“There’s a verse in the Quran saying that killing one person is killing all humanity. People are coming and then killing innocent people and then saying I am acting with this ideology. This is not justifiable in any kind of religion, and I don’t accept this interruption.”
All state and federal flags will remain at half-staff until sundown Friday in memory of those killed during the attack.