ISLAMABAD (Dispatches) – A terrorist bombing that martyred close to 50 worshipers at a Shia mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar has drawn widespread condemnation from across the world, with the United Nations’ chief saying places of worship should be safe havens not targets of attacks.
The deadly blast took place as worshipers had gathered in the Kucha Risaldar mosque in Peshawar’s old city area for congregational Friday prayers, leaving at least 56 people dead and 194 wounded.
Daesh claimed responsibility for the bombing attack, saying on its Amaq propaganda site that one of its members had “succeeded in assaulting a Shia mosque in Peshawar”.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemned the suicide bomb blast on Friday and said it was intended to target Shia worshipers.
“The assault was clearly intended to target Shia worshipers and bears the hallmarks of sectarian outfits that have been allowed to run amok in recent years,” the HRCP said in a statement.
Iraq’s most prominent Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, called on the Pakistani government to find a solution to prevent crimes perpetrated by terrorist groups against innocent civilians, especially religious minorities.
Ayatollah Sistani urged Islamabad in a statement not to allow the terrorist groups to launch brutal attacks and take preventive measures to stop such atrocities.
The statement added that this heinous crime is aimed at Islamic unity, and expressed condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the bombing attack.
“The tragic tragedy that occurred today during Friday prayers at the Kucha Risaldar Mosque, which resulted in the martyrdom and wounding of a large number of innocent worshipers, is cause for more sadness and sorrow. As we extend our condolences to you, dear loved ones, and the bereaved families, we ask God for patience and solace for all and to grant the wounded a speedy recovery and raise the ranks of the martyrs of this painful event,” he said.
“While the religious seminary in Najaf and the supreme Shia authority denounce this horrific crime that targeted the unity of Muslims, they strongly urge the government of Pakistan to think of ways to protect the oppressed in the face of the oppression and crimes of terrorist groups, and it takes the necessary preventive measures in this regard, and does not allow their religious meetings to be subjected to violent and brutal attacks by ruthless extremist groups,” he added.
Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the Iranian administration’s spokesman, censured the Western human rights over remaining silent about the deadly blast in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
“During the days when the windows of all the world’s media were adorned with slogans of peace and opposition to war and violence, 56 oppressed Pakistani Shiites in the heavy silence of the media, strangely lost their blood. Bloody Friday #Peshawar is a testament to the hollow claims of Western human rights,” Bahadori Jahromi wrote in a Persian-language tweet.
“Peace and blessings of God be upon the oppressed martyrs of Peshawar.”
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha called Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemn the incident. Brahim Taha said terrorism was a common challenge that needed to be countered together by the Muslim Ummah and the international community.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed the kingdom’s position against “targeting places of worship, terrorizing civilians and shedding innocent blood,” adding that it supports Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism.
The United Arab Emirate (UAE) issued a statement condemning the deadly attack and said it rejected all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilizing security and stability in the region.
Such brutal violence against civilians, it said, was inconsistent with humanitarian values and principles.
Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan also issued similar statements condemning the attack.
Turkey said it was deeply saddened.
“We are deeply saddened by the news that a bomb attack, which was carried out today against a mosque in Peshawar, capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a written statement.
“We condemn this heinous terrorist attack and wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, speedy recovery to the injured and convey our condolences to the friendly and brotherly government and people of Pakistan,” it added.
Terrorist bombing at Shia mosque in Pakistan kills dozens of worshipers
Terrorist bombing at Shia mosque in Pakistan kills dozens of worshipers
A massive explosion ripped through a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar on Friday, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens more.
Outside the Islamic world, UN Antonio Guterres condemned the “horrific attack” on Peshawar mosque and said, “Houses of worship should be havens, not targets.”
“Houses of worship should be havens, not targets. I condemn today’s horrific attack on a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, during Friday prayers. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my solidarity with the people of Pakistan,” Guterres said in a tweet.
In Brussels, a spokesperson for European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the attack a “heinous crime” and pledged continued support to Pakistan in its counter-terrorism efforts.