WASHINGTON: Muslims across America showed an outpouring of support for victims after the deadliest mass shooting in US history left at least 50 people dead in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub.

The founder of Make Space, an Islamic Center near Washington DC, said that "shooting innocent humans is a cowardly act that every Muslim and every human being should condemn."

The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement that said, "We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured. The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence."

Imam Tariq Rasheed of the Islamic Center of Orlando said, "No religious tradition can ever justify nor condone such ruthless and senseless acts of violence."

The Islamic Society of Central Florida condemned the attack and posted on its Facebook page: "We stand united as Americans against any act of violence that tries to bring fear and division to our communities."

In Washington, Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the attack was "a hate crime, plain and simple."  He said CAIR’s sympathies lie with the LGBT community, and that the goal of extremism is to create divisions among as many social groups as possible.