Top state officials and members of the Muslim community gathered Wednesday night to condemn the recent attack in Orlando, Florida.
EDISON -- At the Royal Albert's Palace Wednesday night, top state officials and members of the Muslim community joined to condemn the recent attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and to make clear that the act of one man did not represent the entire Islamic faith.
Before a room of hundreds, many of whom Muslims, Mohammad Ali Chaudry, president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge, said, "We are here to express our profound shock and to condemn the murder of 49 innocent people and injuring another 53."
He added, "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families whose loved ones have been taken away so tragically. This crime does not represent Islam or Muslims in any sense."
The vigil was just one of many to take place throughout the state and country following the attack, which was committed by a lone Florida gunman who authorities say had aligned himself with the Islamic State. President Obama in a speech described the attack as "homegrown terrorism." The FBI had investigated the shooter, Omar Mateen, in 2013 and 2014.
New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman also spoke before the room and soberly condemned the attack on the nightclub, Pulse.
"For the men and women who went to Pulse, (their night) was shattered by hatred and unimaginable violence and a horrible act of terror by a man who was armed with a gun, an assault weapon, that was far too available, and far too deadly," Fishman said.
Fishman also made a point to condemn the anti-Muslim and anti-Latino rhetoric that has found its way onto the national stage. The attack fell on the nightclub's "Latin Night" and many of the victims were Hispanic.
"The brunt of that tragedy fell on the Latino community," he said, adding his heartache for Latinos whose ethnicity is "all too often questioned and mocked."
"And of course, he added, "we cannot ignore ... the backlash against a religion of peace because of the action of one. It has happened all too often that this community of peace is tarnished by those who want to cast blame."
The event was sponsored by the American Muslim Council and American Muslims for Democracy and coincided with the Muslims celebration breaking of a whole day of fasting for Ramadan.
Among the top officials at the event included state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, (D-Union), state Sen. Linda R. Greenstein (D-Middlesex), state Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex), and Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey.
FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher was also in attendance.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.