UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and other senior officials have vehemently denounced the suicide bombing at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan on Monday, which resulted in at least 59 fatalities and 150 injuries.
As per reports, a militant organization has claimed accountability for the assault, which took place at the densely populated mosque.
The reports indicated that the explosion caused the ceiling to collapse onto worshipers inside.
“It is especially revolting that the assault took place at a site of worship,” Guterres remarked in a statement released by his Spokesperson, Stephanie Dujarric.
“The freedom of religion or belief, encompassing the capacity to worship in tranquility and safety, is an inherent human right.”
Extending his sympathies to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery to those harmed, Guterres reaffirmed the United Nations’ solidarity with the Government and people of Pakistan in their endeavors to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
Also condemning the incident, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Moratinos, stressed that all types of violence and acts of terrorism against civilians and places of worship based on their religion or belief, are unacceptable and unjustifiable, warranting unequivocal condemnation.
“Places of worship are hallowed grounds where worshippers should be able to exercise and express their faith securely and freely,” he stated, additionally voicing serious concern about the rising occurrences of discrimination, intolerance and all acts of violence aimed at individuals from any religious or other communities.
This encompasses incidents instigated by Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia as well as biases against individuals of other religions, beliefs, gender or race.
Calling for mutual respect among all religions and beliefs while promoting a culture of fraternity and peace, he urged governments and other stakeholders to back the UN Plan of Action to Protect Religious Sites, which has been formulated by the Alliance at the request of the Secretary-General. (NAN)
