Condolences Go to the Families Hand” That Tampers with the Country’S Security
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SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015 RAMADAN 11, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait mosque Shaken tourists Bencic grabs attack draws flee Tunisia first title of Emsak: 03:06 worldwide after seaside her career, Fajer: 03:16 Shrooq 04:51 outrage massacre hails Hingis Dohr: 11:51 Asr: 15:25 Maghreb: 18:51 4 8 20 Eshaa: 20:24 Kuwait mourns, buries terror Min 28º victims as security beefed up Max 45º High Tide 08:45 & 22:05 Interior Minister vows to ‘cut the evil hand’ Low Tide 01:35 & 15:35 40 PAGES NO: 16565 150 FILS KUWAIT: Thousands of people in Kuwait took part in a Exclusive to Kuwait Times mass funeral procession yesterday for 27 people killed in a suicide bombing that targeted a Shiite mosque a day earlier. The bombing, which also wounded more Bittersweet moment than 200 male worshippers who were taking part in in Kuwait history midday Friday prayers, was the first terrorist attack in Kuwait in more than two decades. The government tatement from His Excellency Sheikh organized yesterday’s mass funeral for those killed. Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Thousands of Sunnis and Shiites from across the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. country took part in the procession and prayer at S Kuwait’s Grand Mosque. Many carried the Kuwaiti flag; “June 26, 2015 was a bittersweet moment in my others a simple black flag to signify mourning. Some in country’s history. Bitter - because 26 innocent the crowd chanted, “Sunnis and Shiites are brothers!” lives were cut short by the acts of a cowardly ter- Sunni groups in Kuwait and leaders from across the rorist that has no ties whatsoever to any humani- Middle East have strongly condemned the attack, which tarian or religious notions, and sweet - because Gulf officials say is aimed at provoking a backlash from we saw the true nature of the Kuwaiti people. Shiites and sparking sectarian war. When the developments of this horrific attack More than a third of Kuwait’s 1.2 million citizens are became apparent, we saw Kuwaitis from all walks believed to be Shiite. The majority of Kuwaitis are Sunni Muslims. Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior of life - and from all sects and communities band Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Hamad Al-Sabah was together in order to repel and defend Kuwait from quoted in the official Kuwait News Agency describing any external forces. the bombing as “grotesque” and vowing to “cut the evil My deepest condolences go to the families hand” that tampers with the country’s security. The who lost their loved ones and our prayers are with news agency also carried a statement from Iraq’s top all our friends and brothers who are still in hospi- Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, extending tal. I hope that we will also learn the lessons from his condolences to the families of the victims. Continued on Page 13 this horrific attack and that each Kuwaiti has a responsibility to be on ‘civilian patrol’ and to inform the security forces of any elements that they believe are alien to us. God save Kuwait and Long Live the Amir.” KUWAIT: Mourners carry the body of one of the victims of the Imam Al-Sadiq mosque bombing, during a mass funeral at Jaafari cemetery in Kuwait City yester- His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- day. The interior ministry said in a statement that 26 people and the suicide bomber Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet were killed and 227 others were wounded in one of the country’s worst bombings Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain’s Vice Chairman (left) pictured during the mass burial yes- Affairs speaking to Kuwait Times. and its first ever on a mosque. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Pages 2 & 3) terday. CONDOLENCES Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief, Management and Staff convey their deepest condolences to His Highness the Amir, families of the victims of Imam Al-Sadiq mosque attack and the people of Kuwait May Allah Almighty bestow His mercy on them and protect Kuwait and its people LOCAL SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015 Mourners carry the body of one of the victims of the Imam Al-Sadiq mosque bombing, during a mass funeral at Jaafari cemetery. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Thousands attend mosque blast victims’ funeral By Faten Omar and Meshaal Al-Enezi ones in God’s hands. A friend, brother, or a neighbor were KUWAIT: At least 35,000 people gathered lost and buried under the ground. Leaving at the Jaafari cemetery in Sulaibikhat yes- their families behind with their pain and terday for the funeral of the victims of the heartbreaking souls. But still these people terrorist suicide bombing at the Imam Al- came to share their grief and pain. Sadiq Mosque in Al-Sawaber neighbor- “This crowd that came for the funeral of hood in Kuwait City on Friday. The ceme- our martyrs is the best answer to show the tery’s main parking lot was jam-packed world how Kuwaitis are strong and care with vehicles while traffic police were dis- for each other, regardless of doctrine or patched to organize traffic at nearby high- religion,” National Assembly Speaker ways. Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim said. The crowds carried the coffins on their “This inhuman terrorist [action] has shoulders in a show of brotherhood, soli- failed, and the large presence in the ceme- darity and unity between all sectors of the tery is the best response to those who Kuwaiti society. seek to set the Kuwaiti society apart,” he Kuwaitis, expatriates as well as mourn- added. ers who came from Gulf Cooperation The deadly attack during the Friday Council countries were among thousands prayers at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque left 27 who filled the cemetery yesterday. The people dead and 227 injured, drawing sadness was everywhere; as the victims’ condemnations from Arab, Muslim and families were crying, leaving their beloved European countries. KUWAIT: Ministers and lawmakers walk as they arrive to the Jaafari cemetery to attend the funeral of the Sadiq mosque terrorist attack. Minister of Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah (second from left) is seen with lawmakers Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Information Minister Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and MPs are inside the bus. seen inside the bus that carried them to the cemetery. Interior quashes reports on receiving info beforehand KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry categorically quashed yesterday local press reports that they received information on plans to target places of worship, four days prior to Friday’s Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque blast. The rumors had claimed that the ministry “did not pay [the information] due attention.” The ministry stressed in a statement that it never dis- cards tips pertaining to security of the nation and the people. It noted that its members are doing their best to firmly combat any danger to the country. The statement urged the press to verify information prior to publication to avoid confusion and disturbing security and safety, and not to discredit the ministry efforts at the time when the nation needs all to join forces. The interior ministry also denied social media rumors about an audio recording allegedly for Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al-Fahad and stressed that the recording included false information and has nothing to do with Fahad. Earlier yesterday, the ministry said that the car used by the terrorist who blew himself up at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque killing 27 people and injuring 227 others Friday had been located. The ministry also indicated that police arrested the car’s owner, but the driver of the car who gave the terrorist bomber the ride to the mosque is still at large and search is ongoing to capture him — KUNA Mourners pray over the bodies of the victims of the Imam Al-Sadiq mosque bombing. SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015 LOCAL Grand Mosque ready to receive mourners By Meshaal Al-Enezi and A Saleh KUWAIT: Director of the Grand Mosque Abdallah Abdelrahim said preparations were complete as of yesterday to receive mourners in regards to the Imam Al-Sadiq mosque tragedy. Abdelrahim said condolences will be received on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9:00 pm until 12:00 am, while Taraweeh prayers will be cancelled during this time. Political groups react Meanwhile, the Salaf Islamic Forum, Justice and Peace Forum, National Islamic Alliance, National Democratic Alliance, Kuwait Progressive Faction, Islamic Constitutional Movement, Civil Conservative Party, and Kuwait Democratic Forum issued a statement in which they condemned the heinous terrorist act by the suicide bomber who detonated himself among worshippers in Imam Al-Sadiq mosque on Friday. They also condemned those who supported him and facilitated his action, and extended con- dolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured immediate recovery. Furthermore, they said this act will increase unity and the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the site of the terrorist act is a confirmation of Kuwait societies’ standing against KUWAIT: A large turnout of people attend the funeral of the victims of the terrorist attack on Imam Al-Sadiq mosque. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh such cowardly act. MPs condemn blast MP Hamdan Al-Azmi condemned the terrorist explosion that targeted Imam Al-Sadiq mosque and left a large number of people dead and injured. Azmi said this act did not respect the sacredness of the mosque and the holy month and has nothing to do with Islam. He added this act is rejected by all spectrums in the Kuwait soci- ety who have co-lived all along rejecting sectari- anism and exaggeration in religion and said what took place is an act that wants to instigate strife between members of the society and compromise the country’s security.