CAIR Offers Condolences on Arizona Shooting Spree

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/9/11) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today offered condolences to the loved ones of all those killed or injured in yesterday's shooting spree in Tucson, Ariz., that left six people dead and left Democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords fighting for her life with a bullet wound to the brain. Those killed included a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"We offer sincere condolences to the friends, colleagues and family members of all those killed or injured in this brutal and senseless attack. We must come together as a nation to mourn the dead, pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and reject the extreme partisanship and inflammatory political rhetoric that can contribute to such tragedies."

Anas Hlayhel, chairman of CAIR’s Arizona chapter said: "Congresswoman Giffords is a great friend of the Arizona Muslim community. We pray for her full and speedy recovery. Our prayers are also with all who have been hurt by this horrible act of violence."