On June 12, a senseless attack occurred in an Orlando nightclub. This horrific attack took the lives of many that were brothers, sisters, sons and daughters to families who cared and loved them dearly. I cannot comprehend how someone can kill others based solely on their dislike for other’s lifestyles, race, religion or sexual orientation. The gunman did not just attack the LGBT community; this was an attack on humanity.

As the news spread, the whole country waited to hear who the killer was and the motive behind the shooting. I heard about the shooting through social media that night and felt sick to my stomach that we live in a world where we can be gunned down anywhere. I kept thinking about how two nights before the Pulse night club shooting, former "The Voice" contestant Christina Grimmie was gunned down at her concert in Orlando. Once the name Omar Mateen was released, I knew soon enough it would be “a terrorist attack” somehow linked to Islam.

First and foremost, this man was homophobic. Although individuals who knew Mateen say he was gay himself and a regular at Pulse, the media continues to run with the news that he was driven by his religious beliefs. If Omar was religious, he would have been at home at the time of the shooting eating suhoor because it is Ramadan. Some politicians took to social media to gloat about how right they are about “radical Islamic terrorism." In a month filled with prayers, fasting, charity and family gatherings, it is disappointing to be worried about being a Muslim in America.

One man does not represent an entire religion. Some people are outraged that Mateen attacked the LGBT community but blames Islam for his actions. Be outraged because he took innocent lives, but congratulating Trump on urging a ban on Muslims from coming to America is just sad. As the families of the victims are mourning the death of their loved ones, we keep watching re-runs, and by re-runs I mean the news. Instead honoring the victims, the media is more focused on igniting fear. Why can’t we also talk about gun control and respecting every individual? I don’t want to be feared because of my faith. I don’t want people to be scared of discussing certain topics with me in order to avoid offending me.

I cannot tell you what makes someone commit atrocious crimes.

I cannot tell you where they motive comes from.

But I can tell you that I do not have to apologize for the actions of those who claim to be a Muslim yet go against everything Islam stands for.