Islamic organization condemns attack on Afghan Ulema Council

JEDDAH

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned an Afghanistan suicide attack on June 4 that targeted a gathering of more than 2,000 Muslim scholars. 

OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef al-Othaimeen expressed his condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan in a written statement on June 5.

The secretary general also said the “Muslim Ummah has been deeply disappointed by the lack of progress and response from the Afghan opposition to the government’s repeated appeals to unconditionally engage in peace negotiations.”

He urged concerned parties, Afghanistan’s neighbors and the international community to “continue exerting influence on the parties and redouble constructive efforts to help transform the current impasse in Afghanistan into one of forward-looking dialogue and peaceful settlement.”

The June 4 attack killed 14 people, including seven clerics, and was the latest in a series of attacks that have underlined the deteriorating security ahead of the parliamentary and district council elections set for Oct. 20.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the attack without providing evidence.

The Taliban, who has sought to reimpose strict Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster by United States-led forces, denied involvement, but blamed the “American process.”