Zahir Mannan, Meriden
The writer is education and devotion director for the Connecticut Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Source: courant.com

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA urges calm after the deadly shooting in Garland, Texas at the site of an anti-Islam cartoon contest. Early reports indicate two suspects opened fire at show and both were killed by security. News reports also indicate a security officer was injured during the attack with non-life-threatening injuries. I offer my condolences to the injured officer and pray for his speedy recovery.

According to Nasim Rehmatullah, national vice president of Ahmadiyya Muslim

Community USA:

Violence is never an acceptable response to hate speech, no matter how inflammatory and uncivilized that speech is.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA recognizes the legal right to free speech.

The community additionally implores all individuals to elevate their personal morality in speech, and to maintain civility and justice in all affairs.