US-based SAFEST fund expresses solidarity with Orlando shooting victims

US-based SAFEST fund in solidarity with Orlando club shooting victims The South Asian Fund For Education, Scholarship & Training (SAFEST) stands in solidarity WITH L/G/B/T/Q PEOPLE night club shooting in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016. To all those lost their loved ones, our prayers are with you, says a statement issued by Mazeda Uddin, president of the fund.SAFEST stands with everyone who is against any crime and denounces all acts of racism, Islamophobia, homophobia and xenophobia.
There have been many incidents where assault weapons like the one used in Orlando have been used in San Bernardino, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Columbine, and far too many other shootings throughout the country with huge casualties.
The Muslim community is celebrating the holy month of Ramadan  which is a time of peace, contemplation and reflection for all Muslims. A horrible tragedy recently occurred this past Saturday night at gay Orlando nightclub where a disturbed man killed 50 people and  injured many others. A tragedy of this kind should never happen again.
The head of SAFEST, Mazeda Uddin has stated, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost their loved ones and our hearts go out to all people who are affected by this heartbreaking event. These common occurrences in America should not be happening.”
We at SAFEST believe that ALL religions should be given equal respect and protection under the law. No religion should be put above another.
We are asking all of our politicians and community leaders to review the educational system in place so that more emphasis can be placed on respecting a person’s religion, race or gender identity. No person in our educational system should think that it is “OK” to hate another person or to do harm to someone based off a certain aspect of that individual. We need equality for all.
If our educational system can teach the concepts of respect and tolerance to all students we believe that a tragedy like the one seen in Orlando can be avoided. We should not have to endure such grief, the statement said, according to a press release.