Grand Mufti slams attack on Shia mosque in Afghanistan

CAIRO – 2 August 2017: Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam condemned the suicide attack by extremists that targeted a Shi'ite mosque in the western Afghan city of Herat, killing about 30 people and wounding more than 63 on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Grand Mufti emphasized that the terrorist extremist groups seek to spread sedition among people in order to engage in sectarian conflicts.

The senior Sunni cleric warned the Afghani people not to be dragged into the sectarianism trap, urging them to close their ranks to confront extremists who aim at destabilizing the fabric of Afghanistan.

The Grand Mufti expressed his condolences to the Afghani government and people, especially to the families of the victims, praying that God may rest their souls in peace.

Earlier, Abdulhai Walizada, a local police spokesman in Herat, had said there appeared to be more than one attacker, with a suicide bomber who detonated explosives and another who threw grenades at worshippers.

"Two attackers entered the mosque and started shooting and throwing grenades at people," said Mohammad Adi, a worshipper at the mosque who was injured in the attack and taken to a hospital.

Mohammad Asif Rahimi, governor of Herat, said at least 29 people were killed and 64 wounded in the incident, which came two months after an attack on a 12th century mosque known as the Jama Masjid in Herat, in which seven people died.

There has been no claim of responsibility; however, the Taliban, fighting to install strict Islamic law and drive foreign troops out of Afghanistan, denied any involvement.