Ahmadi Muslims belong to a sect that has been denounced and persecuted by extremists for adhering to an interpretation of Islam propounded more than a century ago by the sect’s messianic founder. A New York Times article gave an overview of the community during one 2010 campaign to present Islam as a religion that abhors violence.
On Thursday, the group issued a statement from a leader of the community about the San Bernardino shooting.
“This senseless loss of life is tragic,” said Nasim Rehmatullah, the senior vice president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “We extend our condolences to the victims and their families. The Quran teaches us the killing of an innocent is like the destruction of mankind. Humanity was destroyed far too many times today.”
