Nigeria’s top Islamic advocacy group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Thursday condemned the early morning attacks outside the Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan in which 13 people were killed in a twin explosion while about 72 others were injured.
MURIC’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in condemning the attack in a statement said: “Thirteen people were reportedly killed by a suicide bomber outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan. More than seventy two (72) others were injured. About three (3) Americans were alleged to be among the injured.
“We strongly condemn this terror attack. It was callous, cowardly and barbaric. Any attack on unarmed civilians deserves the condemnation of civilised people. In particular, attacking Americans who are merely evacuating civilians is not only senseless but also baseless.
“This was not a war situation. Real men wait for situation of hostilities before launching attacks. The Kabul Airport attack of Thursday was therefore cowardly, cold-blooded and devoid of any scintilla of gallantry.
“MURIC will not support any group that relies on violence and terror attacks to achieve its objective. We are the ‘dialogue’ group. Our motto is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’ and we have been committed to non-violence since the formation of our organisation in 1994. Nothing can make us shift this honourable position. Ours is an intellectual struggle.
“We remind the Taliban of its commitment to a peaceful exit of American troops. It is equally important to remind the Taliban of the high premium which Islam places on honour and the fulfilment of promises. The Glorious Qur’an chapter 23 verse 8 refers to those who keep their covenants and their trusts as true believers who will inherit al-Jannah (Paradise) and dwell there forever (Qur’an 23:1 – 11).
“We therefore charge the Taliban to keep to its agreement with the United States on the evacuation of both American troops and citizens.”