Prayers as usual in Abha mosque

Saudi Gazette report HUNDREDS of special emergency forces personnel and others were in attendance for Friday noon prayers at the renovated mosque in Asir region’s capital Abha where a suicide bomber killed 15 people and injured several others earlier this month. The renovation of the mosque was done in line with directives from Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior. Lt. Gen. Othman Al-Muhrij, director of Public Security, followed up the renovation works, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. During a visit to the mosque earlier in the week, the crown prince had warned mischief-makers against playing with the security and stability of the Kingdom. The crown prince had also promised a quick and swift response to any action against the interests of the Kingdom, its citizens and residents. Twelve members of the security forces and three Bangladeshi workers were martyred when the suicide bomber detonated a bomb during noon prayers last Thursday. Col. Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani, director of the special emergency forces in Asir region, and a number of security commanders were among those who offered prayers on Friday in the renovated mosque,Khateeb Ahmed Al-Reethi in his Friday sermon denounced terrorist attacks targeting mosques and peaceful worshipers in different parts of the world. “These are cowardly acts that have nothing to do with religion,” he said. “The attacks which are ostensibly meant to shake the security and stability of the nation will only bolster cohesion and unite the people,” he said. Al-Reethi called for countering the deviant and extremist thoughts with vigor and sustained efforts and said parents should keep a close watch on the activities of their children and prevent them falling prey to the guiles of those who are nurturing and advocating deviant thoughts. Meanwhile in Hail region, the imams and khateebs of mosques continued their condemnation of the sinful Abha mosque bombing. They said the destructive acts of deviants in Muslim countries spring from a corrupt and evil belief.