Beirut:
The Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for the Orlando shooting that killed 50 people, saying in a radio bulletin that it was carried out by "one of the soldiers of the caliphate".
"God allowed Omar Mateen, one of the soldiers of the caliphate in America, to carry out an attack entering a crusader gathering in a night club... in Orlando in Florida, killing and wounding more than 100 of them," a bulletin from Al-Bayan radio said.
The jihadist group declared its "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Muslim leaders in the US have strongly condemned the Orlando gay club shooting and described ISIS members as an "aberration" who do not speak for the faith amid reports that the gunman had sworn allegiance to the terror group.
"This is a hate crime. Plain and simple. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It violates our principles as Americans and as Muslims. Let me be clear, we have no tolerance for extremism of any kind," Awad said, adding that he had a word for ISIS members and supporters.
"You (ISIS) do not speak for us. You do not represent us. You are an aberration, you are an outlaw... they don't speak for our faith. They never belonged to this beautiful faith," Awad said.
The community has also launched a fund raiser for the victims of the deadliest shooting in the American history.
"We are sickened and heartbroken by this appalling attack. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. There can never be any justification for such cowardly and criminal acts, period," Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) National Executive Director Nihad Awad said on Sunday.
CAIR is country's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation.
