Sectarian violence has raised its ugly head yet again in Pakistan. The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California condemns the perpetrators for bombing a Shia Muslim Mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing more than 50 people and injuring many more who are in critical condition. 

This act of terrorism is all the more heinous because it was designed to kill maximum number of people, occurring during Friday prayers at the beginning of the holy month of Shabaan. 

Over the decades, thousands of people have been killed, most of them Shia Muslims, in Pakistan’s sectarian violence. These acts of terrorism continue to plague Pakistan and it is a matter of great concern that Wahabi Salafi terrorists roam freely on the streets of Pakistan. Despite mouthing platitudes for decades, the authorities have done little to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

The Shia Muslim Council calls upon the world leaders to condemn this crime against humanity and bear pressure on the government of Pakistan with the same passion it has rightfully expressed for the victims of war in Ukraine. 

Be it Ukraine, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Pakistan or Palestine, each human life is equally precious. It is the same human blood of the helpless men, women and children that is being shed. 

We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the souls of those martyred because of their faith.