NBC reported that Mir Seddique is the father of Omar Mateen, the suspect in the Orlando Nightclub shooting that left 50 people dead and 53 people injured. Mateen called 911 and pledged an allegiance to ISIS before the killings.

Mir Seddique, who also goes by the name Seddique Mateen, said the attack had nothing to do with religion, but is in support of the Afghan Taliban. He also declared his candidacy for the Afghan presidency.

On June 13, Seddique posted on Facebook that he was “saddened by his son’s actions during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,” as translated by CBS News. But then he goes onto say, “God will punish those involved in homosexuality…not an issue that humans should deal with.”

The New York Daily news interviewed a former elementary teacher of Mateen’s, Kathleen Zurich, who said she blames Seddique “for all of this.” Zurich said Seddique ignored his son’s behavior, which was totally “out-of-control.” She said, “He was in denial about his son even then, and would say, ‘Oh Omar, he does nothing wrong.’ One of the teachers told his father, ‘If he continues like this, picking on other kids, he’s going to end up shot.’ The father was a pig. He always felt like he was the victim. He was never mean to me because he knew I had his son’s best interest in mind. But he was disrespectful to women at large. He just felt women were not to be valued.'”

Seddique owns a non-profit company, “The Durand Jirga, Inc.,” based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Here’s what you need to know now:

1. He Has Declared His Candidacy for the Afghan Presidency

Only hours before the massacre in Orlando, Seddique posted a video called Provisional Government of Afghanistan on a Facebook page. It appears that he is pretending to be the president of Afghanistan, and orders the arrest of multiple Afghan political figures.

Dressed in army attire, he stated:

“I order national army, national police and intelligence department to immediately imprison Karzai, Ashraf Ghani, Zalmay Khalilzad, Atmar, and Sayyaf. They are against our countrymen, and against our homeland.”

Durand Jirga Show-Rise Afghan people against Pakistan ( 4.6.2015 Part 3 of 4 )Durand Jirga Show-Rise Afghan people against Pakistan ( 4.6.2015 Part 3 of 4 ) 2015-04-10T07:31:00.000Z

In Seddique’s most recent Youtube video, he declares his candidacy for the Afghan presidency. However, the video came a year after Afghanistan presidential elctions were held, which raises questions. In the video he goes back and forth between topics and even seems incoherent at times. Seddique uses the Dari language, and not Pashto, the language of Pushtuns, which adds another element of mystery to the video.

In the video below, Seddique says he does not believe his son is “whatever you call it,” meaning gay. Homosexuality is very much against his religion, and what he says about it could greatly impact his hopes to become the next President of Afghanistan.

NEW VIDEO: The father of the shooter, Seddique Mateen, speaks to media, addresses report of wife's involvement @WPTV pic.twitter.com/kvxzo5f40P — Jason Hackett (@JHackettWPTV) June 14, 2016





2. He Supports the Afghan Taliban

Father of Omar M… holds strong political views, incl support for Afghan Taliban, denouncing Pak govt. Hmmmm https://t.co/fhiDn7nvgH — Sheharyar Rizwan (@sheharyarizwan) June 12, 2016

According to the Washington Post, Seddique holds strong political views and supports the Afghan Taliban. It is also reported that he is being referred to under two different names, Seddique Mateen and Mir Seddique. There are several videos posted on a Youtube channel under Seddique Mateen’s name. In one of the videos Seddique denounces the Pakistani government and expresses gratitude towards the Afghan Taliban. He stated:

“Our brothers in Waziristan, our warrior brothers in [the] Taliban movement and national Afghan Taliban are rising up. Inshallah the Durand Line issue will be solved soon.”

3. He Said the Attack Had Nothing to Do With Religion

"Mir Seddique, Mateen's father told NBC News, this has nothing to do with religion.'" https://t.co/vEZnLQNAcN via @nbcnews — Michael Humphrey (@mlhumph3) June 12, 2016

Despite his strong political and religious views, Saddique insists the Orlando mass shooting has nothing to do with religion. He stated the following to NBC News:

“This has nothing to do with religion. We are saying we are apologizing for the whole incident. We weren’t aware of any action he is taking. We are in shock like the whole country.”

Seddique said Mateen was enraged when he saw two men kissing a couple of months ago in Miami, and suspects the incident has something to do with the massacre.

4. He Owns a Non-Profit Company

MT Full name of Orland gunman is Omar Mir Seddique Mateen https://t.co/EBm2U39LHm — Tom T. ن‎ חי™ (@VRWCTexan) June 12, 2016

According to The Daily Beast, Seddique owns a non-profit company, “The Durand Jirga, Inc.” A description of the company can be read on its webpage:

THE DURAND JIRGA, INC. has been set up 11/28/2010 in state FL. The current status of the business is Active. The THE DURAND JIRGA, INC. principal adress is 519 SW BAYSHORE BOULEVARD, PORT ST. LUCIE, FL, 34983. Meanwhile you can send your letters to 519 SW BAYSHORE BOULEVARD, PORT ST. LUCIE, FL, 34983. The company`s registered agent is MATEEN SEDDIQUE M 519 SW BAYSHORE BOULEVARD, PORT ST. LUCIE, FL, 34983. The company`s management are Director – Mateen Seddique M, Director – Seddique Sabrina, Director – Aurakzai Mustafa. The last significant event in the company history is AMENDMENT which is dated by 2/2/2012. This decision is take in action on unknown. The company annual reports filed on Annual reports – 4/28/2015.

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5. He Is of Afghan Descent

The gunman, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, was born to Afghan parents in New York https://t.co/G7SjSJhvFW — Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) June 12, 2016

Mateen, 29, was reported to be from Port St Lucie in Florida, and was born in the United States to Afghan parents. Mateen was born in New York and it is not known when the family moved to Florida.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.