Muslim leaders, state leaders and others react to the shooting outside a Prophet Muhammed art event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim advocacy organization, has condemned the attack and said in a statement Monday that a violent response is more insulting to the Muslim faith than any cartoon.
"We share with the North Texas community, and the American community at large, our horror at this display of violence," said Alia Salem, executive director for the DFW Chapter of CAIR. "Those organizers of the event, and those perpetrators of this violent crime, have come in with hatred on their agenda from both sides. If we don't stand up against that type of hatred, together, then this cycle of violence is going to continue."
Dr. Bilal Rana, President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association released the following statement Sunday night condemning acts of violence:
"On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association - the largest Muslim youth group in the country - we stand by our fellow Americans in shock and horror at today's shooting. While we wait for investigators to tell us more about the shooters, we wholly condemn any such acts of violence and find them completely unjustifiable. Our faith calls us to engage in dialogue. So we condemn any use of violence to intimidate anyone."
Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement on the shooting that took place in Garland:
"Texas officials are actively investigating to determine the cause and scope of the senseless attack in Garland, Texas. This is a crime that was quickly ended thanks to the swift action by Garland law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected tonight."
After speaking with the Garland mayor and being briefed by the DPS Gov. Abbott released the following statement:
"This morning I called Mayor Athas to offer any state resources and assistance that would aid his city following this heinous attack, and praised the City of Garland's swift and effective action to stop these gunmen and protect innocent lives.
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"I also received a briefing from the Department of Public Safety on the latest developments regarding the actions and motivations of the shooters. I instructed Director McCraw to work with federal authorities to fully investigate the assailants' ties to organized terrorist activity, and received assurances that DPS will continue to communicate with my office and the public as additional information can be released."
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA urges calm and condemns senseless acts of violence:
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA urges calm after a deadly shooting in Garland, Texas at the site of an anti-Islam rally. Early reports indicate two suspects opened fire at the hate rally and both were killed by police. News reports also indicate a security officer was injured during the attack with non-life threatening injuries. We offer our condolences to the injured officer and pray for his speedy recovery.
"Violence is never an acceptable response to hate speech, no matter how inflammatory and uncivilized that speech is," said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, National Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. "While we do not yet know what motivated these shooters, we urge calm and defer to local, state, and federal authorities to peaceably and justly resolve this."
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA recognizes the legal right to free speech. The Community additionally implores all individuals to elevate their personal morality in speech, and to maintain civility and justice in all affairs.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins' offered the following statement on the Garland attack:
"Speech can never be an excuse for violence. At present, I view last night's Garland attack as an isolated act of violence. On behalf of the residents of Dallas County, I want to thank the officers involved in this response and the Garland Police Department for swift and heroic action that protected public safety. Again, there is no form of expression that justifies a violent response. As a broader community we must not let those bent on violence and hate dissuade us from the path of reason and compassion for all people of all faiths. North Texas is strongest when we stand together."
Omar Suleiman, instructor and head of the History Department at Bayyinah Institute and Director of the Islamic Learning Foundation posted the following to Facebook:
The Mosques and tens of thousands of Muslims in Dallas didn't even bother protesting Geller/Wilders hatefest. Hate...
Posted by Omar Suleiman on Monday, May 4, 2015
NBC 5's Katy Blakey contributed to this report.
