Dozens of Muslim and LGBT groups have signed a statement of unity in the wake of the shooting in Orlando that killed 49 people in a gay nightclub.
"Muslim-LGBTQ Unity Statement in Response to Divisive Rhetoric After Orlando Shooting" was released on Tuesday and urged people of all religions to stand together against "fear, hate and violence".
It read: "In standing together, hand in hand, across every faith, we send a powerful message to those who seek to divide us using hatred and violence: love is stronger than hate and hope will defeat fear."
The Muslim and LGBT representatives warned against future attempts to "define an enemy" and pit different groups of Americans against one another.
"We stand united against these efforts to divide us. We are reminded that as our communities stand together, we are in fact one community – which includes LGBTQ Latinos and LGBTQ Muslims, who are targeted both as Muslims and as members of the LGBTQ community.
"We are stronger together, and together, we will move forward with love and acceptance for all."
Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump used the aftermath of the Orlando attack to reiterate his call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States. He also criticised President Barack Obama for failing to use the phrase "radical Islam" in his response.
The statement celebrated those in Orlando who responded to calls to give blood after the killings as well as those who had held interfaith vigils.
"We draw our hope and our inspiration by the example set by hundreds of inspiring Floridians who lined up around city blocks in Orlando, answering the call to donate blood.
"We draw our hope and our inspiration in the example set by brave first responders who ran into – not away from – harm to help the wounded and prevent further violence.
"We draw our hope and our inspiration from the hundreds of interfaith vigils that have sprung up across the world with a clear message: love is stronger than hate."
