World joins Saudi Arabia in deploring terror acts

Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The terrorist bombing near the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on the last night of the holy month of Ramadan, killing four security officers, has drawn worldwide condemnation. Many countries have expressed their solidarity with Saudi Arabia against terrorism. Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir sent a message of condolences to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman over the death of four officers in the bombing and said his country would stand by Saudi Arabia. “We share the Kingdom’s grief,” he added. The president reiterated that Sudan would stand united in confronting extremism and terrorism. He urged Arab countries to focus on protecting their citizens from extremist thoughts and ideologies in order to reinforce global security and stability. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attack and called for collective action to defeat the menace of terrorism. “The government and people of Pakistan are deeply shocked and saddened over the terrorist attacks in the holy land and share the pain and grief of their Saudi brethren,” Sharif said about the suicide bombing in Madinah that also injured five others. The bomber targeted the parking lots of the emergency forces vehicles in the west side of Madinah near the Prophet’s Mosque while policemen were having their fast-breaking meal. The Pakistani prime minister stressed that the international community in general and the Muslims in particular need to forge unity at this critical moment to foil the nefarious designs of enemies of humanity and the Islamic nations. "We need to renew collective efforts to fight the menace of terrorism," Sharif said and reiterated Pakistan's condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He said Pakistan would stand firm against every act of terrorism. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said, “Terror cannot be justified” and urged the public to remain calm but alert. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak denounced the terrorist attacks in Madinah and other two Saudi cities. Ahmed Al-Jarwan, president of Arab Parliament, condemned the terrorist attacks in Madinah, Jeddah and Qatif. “These attacks aimed at undermining the Kingdom’s security and stability are totally against the teachings of Islam,” he said. Al-Jarwan said the whole Arab world would stand by Saudi Arabia, its people and leadership to take all necessary measures to fight terrorism and protect the Kingdom and its people. Sheikh Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, the mufti of Australia, and Sheikh Shadi Al-Sulaiman, chairman of the Australian Imams’ Council expressed their denunciation of the Madinah bombing. “It’s a crime against humanity,” said Abu Mohammed in a statement. Retired Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar shared his sadness over the Madinah bombing with his 115,000 followers on the Twitter. Journalist Reham Khan said the bomber wanted to breach the peaceful nature of Madinah. “Madinah is associated with peace and most visitors love the tranquil feelings they experience there. To attack it with hate speaks volumes,” Khan twitted.