As the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, we are deeply saddened by the tragic events happened in Newtown, Connecticut and send our condolences to the families of the victims and loved ones. 

 Turkish-Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen expressed his deep sorrow caused by this tragic incident as follows: 

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic shooting incident at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. It took the lives of 26 innocent individuals; mostly children who were only at the beginning of their precious lives, and also the teachers who had  dedicated themselves to nurturing and educating their  students. I wish to express my deepest and  heart-felt condolences to all the aggrieved  families and loved ones, as well as to the American people.

This deplorable act  of violence, like its precedents that happened over the past several years, starkly raises the question of what turns a troubled person into a monster that pours death onto other  fellow human beings.

I hope that the visionary leaders and caring parents will strive to find the strength  to illuminate  both hearts and minds of their sons and daughters with the love, respect and compassion  for others, and do whatever is in their power to help prevent the reoccurrence of such tragedies.

Once again, I deplore this tragic incident, and pray that it happens never again."

(source: Alliance for Shared Values)