ICSC Statement on New Zealand Terrorist Attack

It is with a heavy heart and soulful tears the Islamic Center of Southern California expresses its shock and utter disbelief at the terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. 
 
As of now, we know dozens of our brethren in faith have been massacred during the holiest period of the week, the Friday Jumma congregational prayer, by a white supremacist terrorist. 
 
We pray the deceased are in the highest levels of paradise.  We ask God to envelop the loved ones left behind with His mercy and comfort in this time extreme difficulty.
 
The Muslim community is in grief and pain.
 
The Islamic Center will be conducting a Janaza prayer in absentia at 1:30 pm tomorrow, 3/15/19 for the victims. A press conference will be held at 12 pm on the steps of the Islamic Center.
 
To our community members: we have been in close contact with the LAPD since news of this incident broke.  Extra patrol and uniformed police officers will be present tomorrow.  We are coordinating additional security measures beyond tomorrow.  As of this writing, there are no known/credible threats to us in Los Angeles.
 
We will NOT cancel our services or programs.  This would be a capitulation to evil.  We will take all necessary security measures to ensure you and your family members have a safe environment at the Islamic Center of Southern California.
 
As the news from New Zealand unfolds, please take time to make du’a (prayer) for those who have departed, and for the family and friends who remain.
 
Please pray for our community to be protected from evil.
 
May God guide us all as we strive only in His cause.