JEDDAH: Arab and Muslim countries joined 海角直播 Sunday to condemn the twin bombings of Coptic churches in Egypt that left at least 40 people dead and scores wounded just one week before Coptic Easter and the same month that Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Egypt.
The blasts occurred at Margarges Church in Tanta and near St. Mark鈥檚 Church in Alexandria, northern Egypt. Daesh has claimed responsibility.
An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that King Salman sent a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi saying: 鈥淲e express our deep condemnation and condemnation of these two criminal acts,鈥 according to Saudi Press Agency.
It added: 鈥淲e affirm 海角直播鈥檚 stand with the Arab Republic of Egypt and its brotherly people against anyone who tries to undermine its security. And to the families of the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt and to the families of the victims on behalf of the people and the government of the Kingdom of 海角直播, and on our behalf, our sincere condolences and sincere condolences. We wish their families patience and solace and wish the injured a speedy recovery.鈥
King Abdallah II of Jordan sent a cable to El-Sisi denouncing the attack as 鈥渃owardly鈥 and voicing Jordan鈥檚 solidarity and support with Egypt in fighting terrorism and preserving its stability.
Turkey also condemned Sunday鈥檚 attacks on churches in Egypt.
鈥淲e strongly condemn the heinous terror attacks on churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday today,鈥 presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said.
Mehmet Gormez, the head of religious affairs in Turkey, 鈥渃ursed鈥 the attacks and said they are the shared problem of all humanity.
鈥淭he immunity of a place of worship, no matter the religion it belongs to, cannot be violated and the bloodthirsty killing of innocent worshippers cannot ever be forgiven,鈥 Gormez said in an official statement.
Turkey鈥檚 Ministry of Foreign Affairs also published a statement denouncing the attack.
鈥淲e convey our condolences to the bereaved families and the whole people of Egypt,鈥 the statement said before a second attack hit an Alexandria church, killing at least 11 people.
Gaza鈥檚 Hamas said in a statement that the attack was 鈥渁 crime.鈥
Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said, 鈥淗amas wishes safety, security, stability and prosperity for Egypt and its people.鈥
Joining the growing list of Muslim countries protesting the attack, Oman鈥檚 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a tweet, expressed its solidarity with Egypt and also wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
The UAE offered its full solidarity with Egypt in its efforts to eliminate criminal and terrorist elements that are wreaking havoc and targeting the lives of innocent citizens, according to UAE News Agency, WAM.
In addition, Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Egypt in general, wishing the wounded speedy recovery.
Al-Othaimeen also reaffirmed the OIC鈥檚 principled and resolute position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The Kuwait News Agency reported that Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim sent a cable to his Egyptian counterpart, Ali Abdulal. He said, 鈥淲e condemn this criminal heinous blast, and we reiterate our full solidarity with Egypt.鈥
According to the Bahrain News Agency, the Kingdom鈥檚 Foreign Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, said Bahrain supported measures to deter terrorism to maintain security and stability and the attacks 鈥渨ill never succeed in undermining the unity and steadfastness of Egyptian society, and reiterated Bahrain鈥檚 firm position, which rejects violence, extremism and terrorism.鈥
Egypt bombings: Muslim countries lead chorus of condemnation
Updated 10 April 2017
Egypt bombings: Muslim countries lead chorus of condemnation
