Kunduz mosque attack widely condemned

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan government, the United Nations, European Union and some former government officials have strongly condemned attack in northern Kunduz province which resulted in heavy civilian casualties.

At least 46 people were killed and 143 others wounded in a bomb blast inside Syedabad Mosque in Kunduz city, the mosque belonging to Shia worshipers situated in the Khanabad Bandar locality.

Zabihullah Mujahid, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information, said: “A Shiite Mosque was blown up by seditionists, killing and injuring our compatriots.”

He strongly condemned this heinous act and promised to find the perpetrators and punish them severely.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High National Reconciliation Council of the previous government, said the attack in Kunduz provinces was an unforgivable crime that could not be justified in any way.

“I’m deeply saddened by this attack and shared the grief of the people of Kunduz,” he added.

Former President Hamid Karzai also denounced the attack, saying such incidents were against all Islamic and Humanitarian principles.

He said this was the action was from the enemy of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The previous government's senator, Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, also condemned the attack, saying such an inhumane act was in no way justified.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the Kunduz attack, calling it a human rights violation.

The European Union's envoy to Afghanistan, Andreas van Brand, also condemned the attack, calling it a "grave crime" and saying "terrorism is on the rise in Afghanistan."