CHINO – Leaders of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Baitul Hameed Mosque conveyed their sympathy and condolences to the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School during their afternoon sermon today.
Earlier, a gunman opened fire inside Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut, killing 26 people, most of them children.
“We are so sorry, we are so sad, it is great tragedy not just for the people of that town, although they have suffered a lot there are feeling more pain then us, but it is tragedy to the whole nation,” said Imam Shamshad Nasir, of the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino.
“These children are our children and we feel so sad, so sad. I don’t know how to talk about it.”
Friday’s sermon prayed for families and the government officials of Connecticut, Nasir said.
At times of tragedy Nasir said he tells his community to look to the Holy Quran for guidance.
“Because this has happened the government officials have to do more to protect children, people, protect citizens. It is job and the duty of the government and at the same time we should control our guns and weapons and with out that we cannot do anything,” Nasir said.
He said just because this is a free country, it doesn’t mean everything should be free.
“Sometimes we feel there is more danger because freedom can cause trouble…some people may not like this idea, but gun control should be done by government,” he said.
“If every 20 year old child or (younger) than that are holding guns in their hand and shooting, I don’t think this is a wise step.
“Freedom does not mean we should give dangerous things in the hands of people all the time.”