(WASHINGTON, DC – 5/30/2022) – The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), the largest umbrella group for Muslim groups in the United States, today responded to the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas by
expressing the American Muslim community’s solidarity with those impacted and encouraging the federal government to stop this national crisis of mass shootings by taking “concrete action,” including comprehensive gun safety reforms.
In a statement, USCMO Secretary-General Oussama Jammal said:
“We almost feel ashamed to, yet again, express condolences to the families of school children and teachers who were senselessly gunned down by another evil young man armed with an AR-15. We pray that God gathers the children killed with Abraham in Paradise, comforts the loved ones of everyone impacted, and guides our society aright.
“Enough is enough. Our political leaders must take concrete action to stop this national crisis by requiring universal background checks for gun sales, strengthening red flag laws, supporting enhanced school security measures, providing significant new funding for mental health services, and banning the sale of weapons of war to civilians. We encourage the American Muslim community to continue making their voices heard with their state and federal legislators.”
Recent polling has shown that the vast majority of American Muslims support comprehensive gun safety reforms to stop mass shootings. So far this year, at least 39 school shootings have taken place in the U.S., with 213 mass shootings in less than five months, including at least 40 in May alone.
USCMO also today encouraged mosques and private Islamic schools to review and enhance their security measures.
“In the wake of racist attacks like Buffalo shooting and school shootings like the Uvalde massacre, American Muslim institutions must continue to take our security and the security of our neighbors seriously,” Jammal said. “Mosques and private schools should clear emergency response plans, high-quality security cameras, an alarm system, and armed security for, at the least, major events.”
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