The deadly blast which targeted a mosque in PD 6 of Kabul sparked outrage at a national and international level with many calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
On Friday in the late afternoon, a blast hit Khalifa Sahib mosque in the Darluman area of Kabul city.
UNAMA in a statement condemned the attack and said that the blast “directly affected” two staff of the UN and their family members who were inside the mosque. “No words are strong enough to condemn this despicable act, targeting a place of worship, as Muslims across Afghanistan prepare to celebrate Eid,” said UN deputy special envoy Mette Knudsen in the statement.
Former President Hamid Karzai in a tweet condemned it and called it an inhumane act by the “enemies” of the Afghan people.
Abdullah Abdullah, former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, expressed disappointment over the blast and called it a “crime against humanity” and contrary to Islamic and human values.
The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, on Twitter condemned the blast, saying that the perpetrators will be arrested and punished soon.
The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West condemned the “senseless and terrible attacks against innocent Afghans this past week, including at Khalifa Sahib mosque.” He said the attacks must end and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
The European Union in a statement said the attack on the mosque “comes in a series of heinous and coward attacks on civilians gathering in a market, school or a mosque in this holy month of Ramadan.”
The EU said it mourns with the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery for the wounded, “Terror has no place in any religion or faith,” the statement reads.
The statement cited the “stark” surge in violence in Afghanistan is a serious concern for all Afghans and the international community.
“All Afghan citizens, including women and girls, children, and ethnic and religious minorities deserve to live in safety, with full respect of their human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the statement said.
The statement also called on the Islamic Emirate to “ensure safety and security of all Afghan citizens and to hold those responsible to account.” The US special envoy for Afghan women and human rights, Rina Amiri, on Twitter said she was “deeply saddened to hear of yet another attack on a mosque in Kabul during the sacred month of Ramadan.” She called for end to “this senseless violence,” and said the perpetrators need to be held accountable.—TOLO
