Sri Lanka condemns suicide attack on Saudi mosque

Sri Lanka has condemned Friday’s suicide attack on a mosque in Saudi Arabia that left at least 21 people dead and more than 100 injured.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Kingdom Mohamed Hussein Mohamed slammed the act as terrorism, which should not be allowed to grow in the Kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia is a country where there is peace, security and stability,” he was quoted as saying by Arab News. The Ambassador urged the Saudi government to arrest those involved in the incident.

A suicide bomber reportedly blew himself up inside the Imam Ali Mosque in the suburb of Quday in the province of Al-Qatif, where more than 150 people were performing Friday congregation prayers.

Islamic State (Isis) has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province. The bombing marks the first time IS has struck inside Saudi Arabia.

The village is in the restive Shi’ite province of Qatif, which has seen rising tensions between Shi’ite residents and nearby Sunni tribes as well as with the Saudi Arabian government.

Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi said the act was a “heinous crime” and cannot be tolerated. He said his country believes in peace and rejects this “cowardly act of terrorism.”