Learning English

Remembering Orlando victims

People all over the world have been meeting in public to remember the victims of a gun attack.

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The story

Vigils have been held in Orlando to honour the 49 victims of the attack. A senior imam told people at the gathering that Muslims stood united against what he called "the ideology of hatred, doom and destruction."

There have also been tributes in countries including Britain, France and Canada. President Obama will travel to Florida on Thursday.

Jon Sopel – BBC News

Last night in Orlando all sections of the community came together to offer support to the families who lost loved ones in the attack on the Pulse nightclub in the city. Thousands lit candles in a moving expression of solidarity.

But as more details emerge about Omar Mateen, so more questions arise about his motives. Why had he chosen to target a gay nightspot so far away from where he lived? But now it's emerged he was a regular at the club, over a long period, and although he rang police during the attack saying he'd been inspired by so-called Islamic State, his former wife said he was subject to violent mood swings and was mentally unstable.

Key words and phrases

vigil
period of time – usually at night - during which people stay in a place to show support for something

honour
praise someone in public

tributes
public acts which show respect to someone

gather
come together in a group

a gathering
a group of people / an informal occasion

moving
causing strong emotions / feelings of sadness or sympathy

To do

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