THE father of the terrorist who massacred at least 49 people and wounded more than 50 others in a Florida LGBT nightclub attack has said that it is for God to punish gays.
Seddique Mateen, the Afghan immigrant father of the 29-year-old terrorist who opened fire at the crowded Pulse Orlando club early on Sunday, had earlier said there was no sign of any trouble when he saw his son just hours before the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
And in video posted on Facebook, speaking in the Dari language, he said his son should not have gone on the killing. In one translation he said: "The issue of gay punishment and homesexuality belongs to God and God punishes them for whatever they do. This does not belong to the slaves of Allah, but I am really saddened that Omar Mateen has committed this action. "
Read more: Hundreds pay tribute to Orlando shooting victims in Glasgow's George Square
Another translation says: "The issue of homosexuality and punishment for that is up to God alone, this is not in the hands of human beings. What he has done has affected me deeply."
Mr Mateen, who lives in Fort Pierce, Florida, also admitted in an interview that his son got angry a few months ago when he saw two men kissing in Miami.
"We were in downtown Miami, Bayside. There were two guys kissing in front of the kids, and all that. He got surprised he saw that happening in front of everybody.
"I went to the bathroom and I saw the same thing, taking care of each other. It was surprising.
"I respect everyone's way of life.
Mateen, an American-born Muslim, opened fire at the crowded club and was killed in a gun battle with a SWAT team after police used explosives and a small armoured vehicle to punch a hole in a wall and allow dozens of revellers to escape.
According to the FBI and the White House, the gunman was a "homegrown extremist" who supported a number of different Islamist groups.
Read more: Donald Trump's and Hillary Clinton's reaction to Orlando shooting differ widely
Mateen reportedly pledged loyalty to Islamic State during the rampage in a call to 911, but his father said he did not believe it was a genuine pledge of support and merely a "boast".
FBI director James Comey said Mateen had "strong indications of radicalisation" and was probably inspired by foreign terrorist organisations.
He said Mateen called the 911 emergency number around the time of the attack and pledged loyalty to the Islamic State as well as solidarity with the Tsarnaev brothers who carried out the Boston Marathon bombing. He also expressed solidarity with a suicide bomber who died on behalf of the al-Nusra front, a group which is at odds with Islamic State.
More than 600 gathered in George Square to pay their emotional tributes in an hour-long vigil, billed as "Glasgow Stands With Pulse Orlando".
The rainbow Pride flag, a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, has been flying over the Scottish government's headquarters and Glasgow City Chambers.
There were a few whispers as two police officers stood amongst the gathering, but that turned to applause as they showed their solidarity by becoming one of many who respectfully laid candles beneath the Walter Scott monument in the square.
Inspector Iain Arnott of Greater Glasgow Police Division who joined colleague Pc Ross Jackson in paying tribute said: "We have a very large LGBT community and we have a long history of engagement with that community and it is very important to show how much we support as a police service that community and stand beside them in condemning such a horrendous, horrendous attack.
Rainbow Pride flags - a symbol of the LGBT community - were planted in the square and cards and messages were laid beside flowers and candles. The flag has been flying over the Scottish government's headquarters and Glasgow City Chambers.
The names of the victims gunned down at the gay nightclub were read aloud during the hour long vigil.
Michael O'Hara, who moved from Glasgow to Orlando in Florida last year, has revealed one of his workmates was shot dead in Sunday's massacre and another remains in hospital.
He said: "It's terrifying. Every single street here is on lockdown. Knowing it's close to where my kids go to school is absolutely terrifying."
In London thousands of people including Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Labour Party leader Kezia Dugdale gathered to to "stand together against bigotry and homophobia" in Soho, the city’s historic gay district.
The Home Secretary Theresa May said security at public events in the UK will be reviewed by police in the wake of the attack which she said was an "act of homophobic hatred".
MPs held a rare minute's silence in the Commons to remember the 49 victims One of the victims worked at the Harry Potter ride in Universal Studios in Orlando. The Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling named the victim and spoke of her sadness.
She posted: "Luis Vielma worked on the Harry Potter ride at Universal. He was 22 years old. I can't stop crying. #Orlando"
The FBI investigated Mateen for 10 months beginning in May 2013 after he was said to have made inflammatory remarks in support of terrorists.
Mr Comey said investigators introduced him to confidential sources, followed him and reviewed some of his communications, but Mateen claimed he made the remarks in anger because co-workers were teasing and discriminating against him because he was Muslim. The investigation was brought to a close.
At the White House, US president Barack Obama said there is no clear evidence so far that Mateen was directed by the Islamic State. He said Mateen was inspired by radical information over the internet, calling it another apparent example of "homegrown extremism".
Mr Obama said investigators are still looking into the killer's motivations and considering all possibilities, noting that Muslim extremist groups like the Islamic State have been known to target gays.
Mateen's ex-wife attributed the violence to mental illness, saying he was bipolar and abusive towards her.
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