Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia acts of terrorism, entire Muslim world stands with Saudi leadership, people

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP): Pakistan Ulema Council and International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council leaders on Friday condemned attacks on the Abha and Riyadh civilian airports and called for international action against Houthi aggression against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a joint statement, Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Secretary-General of the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Maulana Nauman Hashir, Maulana Muhammad Shafi Qasmi, Maulana Anwar-ul-Haq Mujahid, Allama Tahir-ul-Hassan, Hafiz Maqbool Ahmed, Maulana Amin-ul-Hassan Qasmi, Maulana Syed Muhammad Afzal Shah, Maulana Zulfiqar Ahmed, Maulana Mufti Mubashir Ahmed Nizami, Maulana Abdul Mateen Qasmi and Maulana Asad Zakaria, described attacks targeting civilian airports as “acts of blatant terrorism”, stressing that the loss of innocent lives and damage caused to educational and medical facilities as a result of such attacks were unacceptable.

The religious leaders said putting the lives of passengers, children and patients at risk was an extremely cowardly act, emphasizing that no political or religious justification could be accepted for attacks against civilians and vital public infrastructure.

They said the entire Muslim world stood with the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in opposing such acts of terrorism and aggression.

They reaffirmed that the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain, the sacredness of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and the security of the land of the Two Holy Mosques were matters of fundamental importance.

“Any attempt to undermine the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is condemnable,” they said, adding that Saudi Arabia had the full right to protect its territory, citizens, residents and visitors and that they fully supported its legitimate defensive measures.

The religious leaders called upon the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the international community to move beyond formal condemnations and take effective measures to halt Houthi aggression, hold those responsible accountable and address networks providing weapons and resources for such attacks.

They stressed that their position was not directed against any sect, but was a clear and principled stand against terrorism and aggression.

The religious leaders expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and offered prayers for peace and security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and throughout the region.