Thousands gathered in Nice to mourn those killed along the promenade as the Muslim world united in condemnation of the ‘vile’ attack [Xinhua]
Across the Muslim world there was again anger and frustration that a member of the community had committed yet another atrocious crime – this time in Nice.
On Friday, Egypt’s Al Azhar Institution – considered the highest seat of learning for Sunni Muslims – said attacks such as the one in Nice were vile actions perpetrated by terrorists who contradicted Islamic principles.
At least 84 people were killed and more than 200 injured when a French national of Tunisian origin drove a truck into crowds of people gathered at the Nice promenade to enjoy the fireworks commemorating Bastille Day.
He was killed by police after firing at officers on Thursday night.
Police identified the attacker as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a petty criminal, who had grown depressed when his wife left him.
On Friday, the condemnation came strong and swift.
Senior Muslim cleric and chief interpreter of Islamic Law, the Grand Mufti Shawki Allam was quoted by Dar Al Ifta, the highest authority tasked with issuing religious edicts, as saying that criminals such as Bouhlel “are corrupt of the earth and follow in the footsteps of the devil… and are cursed in life and in the hereafter.”
He said that Islam never called for committing murder or shedding blood, in statements reported in the official Ahram newspaper.
Meanwhile, the Al Azhar affirmed the “importance of uniting efforts to eliminate terrorism and rid the world of its evil”.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi called French President Francois Hollande to express his country’s “solidarity” with the French people and to call for a united global front to combat terrorism.
In Saudi Arabia, authorities condemned the attack as a heinous act. King Salman sent a message of condolences and solidarity to the French people saying that Saudi Arabia denounced in the strongest terms the criminal act.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation Secretary General Iyad Madani said the attack in Nice offended all of humanity and played into the hands of Islamophobes.
In the UAE, the foreign ministry issued a statement saying that this “heinous terrorist crime makes it imperative for all to work decisively and without hesitation to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”.
The other four members of the Gulf Cooperation Council joined Saudi Arabia and the UAE in issuing a joint statement condemning the attack.
In Tunisia, where Bouhlel was born, the foreign ministry condemned the attack “with utmost firmness”.
In Iraq, which last week suffered one of the worst attacks since the 2003 war, Kurdish Regional President Massoud Barzani condemned the attack in Nice.
Neighboring Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the Nice attack and said that “terrorism is an ominous phenomenon that will be eradicated only with international cooperation and consensus”.
Pakistan, where many have died due to suicide bombings and terrorist attacks, also expressed solidarity with the French people.
“Pakistan strongly condemns terrorist attack in Nice on their National Day and express solidarity with government and people of France,” a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman said.
At press time, French authorities were still appealing for help to identify some of those killed in Nice.
So far, they have identified nationals from the US, Armenia, Russia, Germany, Switzerland and Ukraine.
The Tunisian embassy in Paris confirmed that three of its nationals had been killed in the attack, while Algeria said one of its citizens died as well.
The Moroccan consulate identified a woman and her son among those killed on Thursday night.
Many French citizens were also killed in the attack, including those who practice the Muslim faith.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
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