An elected official in Alabama said that if Muslims “had their way” they would “kill every homosexual in America”.

Speaking on the Matt & Aunie show on WAPI radio in the wake of a mass shooting in a gay nightclub in Orlando, congressman Mo Brooks was asked why “progressives” are “running away from the reality” that anti-gay sentiment is “mainstream Muslim thought”.

He responded that the Democrats are “counting votes” amongst the Muslim community which is “growing in political power”.

“On the one hand, [Democrats are] trying to appeal to the gay community, but, on the other hand, they’re trying to also appeal to the Muslim community, which, if it had its way, would kill every homosexual in the United States of America,” he said.

Mr Brooks insisted that Muslims believe they are killing gay people "out of compassion".

Radio host Matt Murphy said that being gay was “punishable by death” in Saudi Arabia and that while "entire nations" are homophobic, he could not think of any "mainstream Christians" that would wish to kill gay people.

A study found that 42 per cent of American Muslims support same-sex marriage, according to a PRRI poll in April 2015.

In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Show all 44 1 /44 In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Frank Escalante This undated photo shows Frank Hernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Daniel Conde This undated photo shows Luis Daniel Conde, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Brenda Lee Marquez McCool In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan CORRECTS FROM YILMARY RODRIGUEZ SULIVAN TO YILMARY RODRIGUEZ SOLIVAN- This undated photo shows Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Joel Rayon Paniagua This photo shows Joel Rayon Paniagua, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jerald Arthur Wright This undated photo shows Jerald Arthur Wright, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Paul Terrell Henry This undated photo shows Paul Terrell Henry, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Shane Evan Tomlinson This undated photo shows Shane Evan Tomlinson, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Antonio Davon Brown This undated photo shows Antonio Davon Brown, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jason Benjamin Josaphat This undated photo shows Jason Benjamin Josaphat, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Enrique L. Rios, Jr. This undated photo shows Enrique L. Rios, Jr., one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Darryl Roman Burt This undated photo shows Darryl Roman Burt II, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Cory James Connell An undated photo from the Facebook account of Cory James Connell, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Cory Connell via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Tevin Eugene Crosby This undated photo shows Tevin Eugene Crosby, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jonathan Antonio Camuy-Vega This undated photo shows Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala This undated photo shows Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Leroy Valentin Fernandez This undated photo shows Leroy Valentin Fernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Instagram via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Christopher Andrew Leinonen This undated photo shows Christopher Andrew Leinonen, right, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The man at left is unidentified. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Angel L. Candelario-Padro This undated photo shows Angel L. Candelario-Padro, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Simon Adrian Carrillo-Fernande This undated photo shows Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz An undated photo from the Facebook account of Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Javier Jorge-Reyes This undated photo shows Javier Jorge-Reyes, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Gilberto Ramon Silva-Menendez This undated photo shows Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Juan P. Rivera-Velazquez This undated photo shows Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Miguel Angel Honorato This undated photo provided by Jose Honorato shows his brother Miguel Angel Honorato, center, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Courtesy of Jose Honorato via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jean Carlos Mendez Perez An undated photo from the Facebook account of Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Jean Mendez via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Mercedez Marisol Flores An undated photo from the Facebook account of Mercedez Marisol Flores, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Mercedez Flores via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado An undated photo from the Facebook account of Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Xavier E. Serrano via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Anthony Luis Laureano Disla An undated photo from the Facebook account of Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Anthony Laureano via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velazquez An undated photo from the Facebook account of Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velazquez, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Jimmy De Jesus via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Oscar A. Aracena-Montero An undated photo from the Facebook account of Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Oscar Aracena via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon An undated photo from the Facebook account of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Lestat Wilson via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Martin Benitez Torres An undated photo from the Facebook account of Martin Benitez Torres, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Martin Benitez via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Stanley Almodovar Facebook/Stanley Manolo Almodovar III In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Eddie Justice Faebook/ Eddie Justice In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Vielma Twitter/@jk_rowling In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera Facebook/ Eric Rivera In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Juan Ramon Guerrero Facebook/ Juan Ramon Guerrero In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Peter O. 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Pro-LGBT thought is lower among other religions in the US. Only 28 per cent of white evangelical protestants and 27 per cent of Mormons support the same freedoms, as shown by the study.

Mr Brooks argued that the democrats' wish to ban guns after Orlando was a "distraction" from the root cause - what is prompting lone terrorists to kill people - and that it was a "mind-boggling challenge" to convince Muslims that killing gay people was a "false doctrine".

Nihad Awad, the nation director of the largest advocacy group for American Muslims, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that he strongly condemned the killing by a 29-year-old shooter who pledged his allegiance to Isis.

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“For years, the LGBTQIA community stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Muslim community as we have faced hate crimes, bigotry, marginalization and discrimination,” he wrote in TIME. "Today, we stand firmly and resolutely to declare that this support goes both ways; that we are there for all communities who are the victims of violence and persecution in our country."

His condemnation was joined by many other prominent Muslim leaders in the US.

One ally of Mr Brooks, senator Jeff Sessions, said in a statement post-Orlando that “[…] we must face the uncomfortable reality that not only are immigrants from Muslim-majority countries coming to the United States, radicalizing, and attempting to engage in acts of terrorism, such as in Boston and Chattanooga; but also, their first-generation American children are susceptible to the toxic radicalization of terrorist organizations.”

Mr Books has previously demanded that president Obama withdraw the national directive to let transgender people use the bathroom that assigns with their natural gender.