ICC Note:

Christian leaders in Pakistan have condemned the attack on a Sufi shrine in the country’s Balochistan region. As a result of the attack, at least 52 were killed and over 100 wounded. Both women and children were among the dead and wounded. The attack was claimed by ISIS who consider Sufi Muslims to be heretics. Christians and other religious minorities have had their places of worship attacks by terrorists in Pakistan as well. In March, Taliban militants bombed Gulshan Iqbal Park where Christians were celebrating the Easter holiday. In 2015, two churches in Lahore were attacked by suicide bombers also from the Pakistani Taliban. 

11/16/2016 Pakistan (Asia News) – At least 52 dead and over 100 wounded, among them many women and children. This is the toll from this week’s tragic attack on a Sufi shrine in Balochistan region, during a traditional sacred ritual of Sufism. Christian leaders condemned the violent incident, the latest in a long series that is bloodying the region, one of the most turbulent in Pakistan.

Fr. Bonnie Mendes, a former regional director of Caritas Asia, said, “Every terrorist attack is to be condemned, against holy sites and civilian sites. It is even more sacrilegious that the target was a Sufi shrine. The poor are those who suffer most in such tragedies. It is indeed a tragedy that such incidents take place continuously in our country.”

The attack took place before sunset, while the faithful were performing the Dhamaal, a ritual dance accompanied by the sound of drums. The explosion occurred outside the building, where there were about 600 faithful at that time.

The Islamic State militants claimed responsibility. Sufism is a proponent of moderate Islam and includes mystical practices and performances (such as music and dance) which are opposed by the extremists, who regard them as heretical and an insult to Islam. Recently the radicals also targeted Amjad Sabri, one of the most famous Sufi singers in the world, assassinating him in broad daylight on the alleged charges of insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

…