Global fraternity, Afghan leaders slam mosque attack

KABUL in Kabul.

The State Department said: “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the mosque in Kabul. We mourn the innocent lives lost and are reminded again that the Afghan people deserve to live free from the persistent threat of terror.”

The US embassy in Kabul also denied the attack and said: “Terrorists will never defeat the Afghan people who come together in peace.”

British Ambassador Alison Blake said: “Another heinous terrorist attack against a place of worship, killing Maulvi Azizullah Mofleh.

He tweeted: Our condolences to victims and families. Civilians are not targets. Stop the killing,” Blake wrote on his Twitter account.

The NATO senior civilian representative stressed the perpetrators must be brought to justice. As we face a historical opportunity for peace, spoilers can’t be allowed to disrupt it.”

Stefano Pontecorvo, while condemning the bombing, said: “We stand with Afghanistan in the fight against terror.”

President Ashraf Ghani slammed the explosion as a “brutal terrorist attack”. Attacks on sacred places of worship and civilians had no justification in any religion and amounted to crimes against humanity, he said.

High Council for National Reconciliation Chairman Dr. Abdullah panned the mosque blast as “an unforgiveable crime. He directed the security forces to ensure the safety of mosques and lives of scholars.

In a statement, the Taliban said coordinated attacks on religious scholars were happening as the country moved towards peace and stability.

Ex-president Hamid Karzai also condemned the attack and said: “This is a crime against humanity and a conspiracy against peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

Friday’s blast, which took place during Juma prayers, killed at least four people and wounded eight others, the Interior Ministry said.

"We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack that has targeted a mosque in Afghanistan’s capital,” the Foreign Ministry in Ankara said.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry said: “We are concerned about the recent increase in the number of attacks targeting places of worship in Afghanistan."

While conveying its condolences to the people of Afghanistan, Turkey wished Allah’s mercy upon the dead and a swift recovery to the injured.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also denounced the mosque bombing in the west of Kabul.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the blast as a criminal act and rejected all forms of violence.

The ministry also expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the criminal act and wished the injured, speedy recovery.

Canadian Ambassador Dave Metcalfe said “nobody has the right to deny freedom of faith or to target those practicing their religion in a sanctuary of worship.”

Pakistan and injuries to others.

We offer our sincere & heartfelt condolences to the families of deceased and prayers for early recovery of injured. Embassy said in a stayement.

Iran’s embassy in Kabul called the attack an act of terrorism against worshippers.

PAN Monitor/mud