JEDDAH/RIYADH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its sorrow over the shooting incident that occurred in Florida and resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Saturday.

The organization stressed in a statement its rejection of this attack, stressing that the aggressor does not represent the tolerant Islamic values that distinguish the Saudi people and all Muslims who believe in tolerance, moderation, and openness to human civilizations.

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Youssef Bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen extended his condolences to the families of the victims, expressing his wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Meanwhile, the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars has stated that the shooting incident committed by a Saudi student in the state of Florida in the US, resulting in several deaths and injuries of a number of American citizens, is a heinous crime, a criminal act against the sanctity of human blood, and shedding innocent blood, affirming that Islam criminalizes such blood shedding and the intimidation acts against innocents.

The Council of Senior Scholars has offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, stressing that the Saudi people will stick to their noble principles and values as part of this world, contributing to its building and maintaining the achievements of wellbeing for humanity and its safety.

The Muslim World League (MWL) too condemned the shooting in Florida, USA,SPA reported. The MWL reaffirmed, through its Secretary General, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Organization for Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, its strong condemnation and denunciation of this criminal act, which is at the forefront of crimes punishable by the most severe penalties, in Islamic law.

Dr. Al-Issa said that such a horrific crime represents only the criminal inclinations of its perpetrator, and that Islam and all Muslims have nothing to do with such a category of people, stressing that this crime has no religion or nationality, and that such sad news has hurt everyone, as the American people are respected and appreciated.

He concluded his statement by extending sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. — SPA