Some Muslims on Twitter have been urging their fellow Muslims to condemn the attack and stand with the gay community

Lone suspect Omar Mateen is Muslim and ISIS has claimed responsibility for the slaughter that killed 49

American Muslim leaders are condemning the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando that killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others.

Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called the killings a hate crime and said the group has no tolerance for extremism of any kind.

A law enforcement official has said the gunman, Omar Mateen, called 911 from the nightclub and expressed allegiance to an Islamic State leader.

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Nihad Awad, executive director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, above, said of the Muslim community: 'We are sickened and heartbroken by this appalling attack.'

The Muslim community has so far raised $16,000 for the victims of the attack through LaunchGood

Imam Arshad Anwar, leader of the Roswell Community Masjid (left) said 'People of faith like Muhammad Ali embody the world's Muslim community, not this mass murderer; (right) Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said 'This lunacy has no place in our nation

The suspect's father, Mir Seddique, told NBC News that his son got upset when he saw two men kissing and that the attack 'had nothing to do with religion.'

A former Afghan official says the father of the Orlando nightclub gunman is a native of Afghanistan who appears on a television program known for 'its anti-US tirades' and 'pro-Taliban' remarks.

Awad says members of the LGBT community have stood with Muslims in the past and today they stand that community.

'We are sickened and heartbroken by this appalling attack. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. There can never be any justification for such cowardly and criminal acts, period,' Awad said in a statement.

Muslims on Twitter spoke out against the backlash against their community as well as condemned the slaughter that killed 49 in a gay club in Orlando; Muslims in the gay community has been 'doubly affected' said the The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity

In Florida, where the attack occurred, Rasha Munarak, the CAIR Florida Orlando regional coordinator, released a statement saying, '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."

In Georgia, Muslim leaders condemned the attack and called for prayers and blood donations.

'Georgia Muslims join their fellow Americans in condemning Sunday's mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando,' said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in a statement. 'Although we do not know all the facts about the shooter, we do know that this lunacy has no place in our nation.'

One leader referenced the late beloved boxer Muhammad Ali, who was Muslim.

CAIR Florida started a crowdfunder for the attack victims on Good Launch, which has so far amassed over $20,000 on one day

'People of faith like Muhammad Ali embody the world's Muslim community, not this mass murderer,' said Imam Arshad Anwar, leader of the Roswell Community Masjid. 'As proud Americans and devout Muslims, we respect religious freedom, human rights and freedom of choice. Our community will, God willing, continue its efforts to combat extremism and encourage tolerance of all people.'

CAIR-SV Executive Director, Basim Elkarra said in a statement: 'We are horrified by this atrocious hate crime and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured. We also offer our support and allyship to the LGBTQ community, which has been a faithful ally against Islamophobia. 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."

A crowdfunding campaign launched by American Muslims to support the families of the Orlando shooting victims has raised over $20,000 so far, according to the most recent update onLaunchGood.

The campaign's administrator. Ali Kurnaz, quoted from the Prophet Muhammad on the page: 'We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action. Our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Have mercy to those on earth, and the One in the Heavens (God) will have mercy upon you.'' And the Quran teaches to "Repel evil by that which is better" (41:34)' said the funding page.

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity says it has been 'doubly affected' by the massacre, which happened at a gay club in Orlando.

'There is no religious justification or precedent in Islam for mass shootings targeting any population, regardless of identity,' said the group in a statement, 'We call for a renewal of the national conversation around strengthening gun control...This tragedy cannot be neatly categorized as a fight between the LGBTQ community and the Muslim community. As LGBTQ Muslims, we know that there are many of us who are living at the intersections of LGBTQ identities and Islam.'

On Twitter, Muslims came out in force to defend their religion as well as show solidarity with the victims and LGBTQ community.

'I'm gay and Muslim,' tweeted Shawn Ahmed. 'I want to tell the Muslim community that the Islamphobia being spread doesn't reflect my values as a gay man. For all the differences between Muslims and the LGBT community, we share a common truth: life is precious and love is more powerful than hate.'