Afghan Shiite Scholars Council Condemns Attack on Shiite Mosque in Islamabad

Afghan Shiite Scholars Council Condemns Attack on Shiite Mosque in Islamabad
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The Afghan Shiite Scholars Council has condemned a terrorist attack that targeted the Khadija al-Kubra Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, describing it as a grave crime and a blatant violation of humanitarian values and Islamic teachings.

In a statement, the council said that according to available reports, the mosque in the Tralai area was attacked on Friday, 17 Sha’ban, during Friday prayers. The assault resulted in the deaths of more than 30 worshippers and left around 170 others injured, although unofficial figures tell of higher fatality and casualties.

The council said the attack constituted a clear crime against humanity and a serious breach of Islamic principles that prohibit bloodshed and the targeting of civilians and places of worship. It expressed strong condemnation of the incident and conveyed prayers for the victims and the recovery of the injured.

The statement also extended condolences to the Pakistani people, particularly the families of the victims, and urged the Pakistani government to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by strengthening security for citizens, especially at mosques and religious sites, and by taking more effective measures to prevent similar attacks.

The council noted that the attack occurred amid a series of incidents in recent years targeting Shiite religious and cultural centers in Pakistan, adding that a lack of transparent information about the identification and prosecution of perpetrators has heightened concerns over continued sectarian violence.

The council called for the swift identification and prosecution of those responsible. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the attack.