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Al-Ahram Weekly

Al-Azhar, Coptic Orthodox Church condemn Damascus church suicide bombing - Foreign Affairs

Egypt's Al-Azhar, the world's largest Muslim Sunni institution, and the Coptic Orthodox Church strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the Syrian capital that killed at least 22 people and left 63 others wounded on Sunday. The suicide bomber opened fire on the congregation of the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus during a Sunday evening service before detonating an explosive vest, according to the Syrian Ministry of Interior. In a statement, Al-Azhar strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack that targeted the Mar Elias Church in the Al-Duwaila'a area east of Damascus, claiming the lives of dozens of innocent civilians and injuring many others at the hands of a 'brutal terrorist' devoid of all sense of humanity and compassion. The statement affirmed Al-Azhar's stance toward such barbaric crimes, which contradict entirely the objectives of divine religions and the teachings of human morality. The Islamic institution described the attack as a blatant violation of human rights to life, security, and worship, fueling the flames of discord among citizens of the same nation. Al-Azhar called on everyone to stand firmly against this dark terrorism in all its forms and exert every effort to stabilize the region, protect civilians, and save them from the grip of violence and abhorrent sectarianism. Moreover, it extended its heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the victims' families, affirming its solidarity with the Syrian people in their immense grief and praying to God to grant patience and solace to all and hasten the recovery of the wounded. In a similar statement, the Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by Pope Tawadros II, said it mourns the martyrs who entered the paradise of bliss after falling victim to the treacherous suicide bombing. The church also condemned this heinous act and all similar forms of violence and intimidation, which deprive a human being of their natural right to a safe life. "We pray that the consolations of the Holy Spirit fill the heart of our brother, His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and the hearts of all the martyrs' families,' the statement said. "May the Lord grant speedy recovery to the wounded and bless beloved Syria, our region, and the whole world with peace and reassurance," it added. Syrian authorities said the attacker appeared to have ties to the Islamic State. The attack is the first known suicide bombing in the capital since Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: