Orlando massacre: Gunman's father says God will punish those involved in homosexuality

The father of the gunman responsible for the Orlando nightclub massacre that claimed lives of at least 50 and left 53 injured, posted a video on his Facebook page on 13 June saying that he could not understand why his son carried out such an activity in the holy month of Ramadan.

CBS news quoted Omar's father Seddique Mateen as saying, "God will punish those involved in homosexuality. It is not an issue that humans should deal with."

He went on to say that his son was a respectful educated boy and he was working for a company in the past that provided him with a gun. He also added that he had no idea that he had so much hatred in his heart and was extremely saddened by the entire incident.

In an interview to NBC News on 12 June, Mateen's father, a self-proclaimed Afghan political activist, pointed out that his son's actions were not triggered by his religious beliefs.

Talking about his son's reaction to the sight of two gay men kissing, Omar was quoted as saying, "They were kissing each other and touching each other and he said, 'Look at that. In front of my son, they are doing that."

Various reports have claimed the Omar Mateen was a homophobic man, violent towards his wife, and who may have been mentally ill.