![Imam Ayaz Niazi speaks on May 24 at the start of the Eid ul Fitr at the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque in Kabul. [WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP]](/cnmi_st/images/2020/06/03/24340-000_1sq69c-739_416.webp)
KABUL -- The killing of Imam Ayaz Niazi and a worshipper in a prayer-time bombing on Tuesday (June 2) at the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque in Kabul's Green Zone is drawing widespread condemnation from Afghan citizens and officials.
The blast, which occurred at one of the city's most famous places of worship, sent shock waves through the sprawling militarised zone, where alarms sounded at embassies and international offices, sending staff rushing into safe rooms.
The mosque is situated in central Kabul at the main entrance to the Green Zone and is accessible from both inside and outside the tightly controlled area. Top leaders often go there to offer ceremonial prayers.
Niazi, the mosque's imam, was a well-known figure in Kabul, and his politically charged sermons were often so well attended that worshippers would spill into the grounds outside the mosque.
![The aftermath of the June 2 explosion at the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque in Kabul. [Afghanistan Times/Twitter]](/cnmi_st/images/2020/06/03/24342-wazirakbarkhanmosque-739_416.webp)
The aftermath of the June 2 explosion at the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque in Kabul. [Afghanistan Times/Twitter]
![On May 24, the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque was filled with Muslims offering prayers at the start of Eid ul Fitr, during a temporary ceasefire with the Taliban. [WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP]](/cnmi_st/images/2020/06/03/24341-000_1s65oc-739_416.webp)
On May 24, the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque was filled with Muslims offering prayers at the start of Eid ul Fitr, during a temporary ceasefire with the Taliban. [WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP]
Social media users widely denounced Niazi's killing, calling it "heartbreaking", an "irreparable loss for the country" and a "great loss to Islam".
'Crime against humanity'
The attack was conducted by a suicide bomber, said Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian initially. But as investigations proceeded, it was not clear that remained the case.
Eight other people were wounded, according to TOLOnews.
President Ashraf Ghani condemned the bombing in a statement tweeted by the Afghan Presidential Palace (ARG) that said, "Terrorist attacks on mosques, hospitals, civilians and public facilities are a crime against humanity."
The president instructed authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation.
No group immediately claimed responsibility.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid in a tweet called the bombing "a major criminal act".
The explosion follows a May 30 bombing claimed by the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) against a television station's minibus in central Kabul, which killed a journalist and the driver.
It also comes after officials said seven civilians were killed Monday (June 1) by a roadside bomb linked to the Taliban in northern Afghanistan, even as authorities pressed for peace talks with the militants.
The blast struck a small truck in Kunduz Province carrying a group of labourers in the volatile Khanabad District.
No group claimed responsibility, but Kunduz provincial spokesman Esmatullah Muradi blamed the Taliban.
"The Taliban usually plant roadside bombs to target security forces, but their bombs usually kill civilians," he told AFP.
Two of six Afghans wounded in the Kunduz blast were in critical condition, according to district chief Hayatullah Amiri.
The late Dr. Mohammad Ayaz Niazy was one of a true Islam scholar in Afghanistan, as well in the world of Islam without doubt, his assassination is an irreparable loss for all Afghans. people should know, this will be the last harrowing case, if we just sit quietly with an instant condemnation and a mere blame.
Reply16 Comment
How long should we witness bloodshed? We should make a good decision in order to overcome the crisis and problems of this country.
ReplyMay Allah Bring Peace in Afghanistan. We are very thirsty for and hungry for peace. We suffers more than fourteen Years Wars,Conflict-ion, and Bloodshed. That why we did not see any Tranquility condition in Afghanistan. But every day we just see Afghan Killing and Afghan Bloodshed. If we have good, Honest and righteous leader , Afghanistan will be top of everything such as Economy, Military Power, Natural Water, Mining etc. I am sure if Peace come to Afghanistan every Afghan will be rich due to much economy.
Reply16 Comment
This is truly an unforgiving crime.
Reply16 Comment
It is without doubt that the martyrdom of Sir Doctor Ayaz Niazi is a big lose. May Allah give him paradise, and may God give us more religious scholars like him. A new university and or a big congregation mosque should be established with the name of the martyr Doctor, no one will oppose it. The Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque is a historical mosque, and a large part of our history is named with the name of Wazir Akbar Khan, so it would be better not to eliminate the history and the upcoming generations should be kept informed about him. From the Sharia point of view, it is not good to bury a dead body in the mosque. If someone would have tried to bury a dead body in the mosque in the presence of the martyr Doctor Niazi, I am sure that the right late scholar would have forcefully prevented it and would not have allowed them to do so. As many hills and places are named after the names of warlords in the heart of Kabul, and a lot of expenses are made on them, it would have been a good idea if a similar measure were taken for the burial of the martyr Doctor Niazi. Martyrdom of Sir Doctor Niazi, naming Wazir Akbar Khan's mosque with his name, and his burial in the mosque all are actions that many compatriots are upset about.
Reply16 Comment
These people, who are criminal, must be arrested and executed in the city square in the public eye so that other criminals do not do so.
Reply16 Comment
The martyrdom of Dr. Ayaz Niazi is a big loss for Afghanistan. And I absolutely agree with naming the mosque of Wazir Akbar Khan after him.
ReplyHis martyrdom was a scheme that was planned from outside of the border, and I think it is a very big and irreparable loss.
Reply16 Comment
The martyrdom of Doctor Mohammad Ayaz Niazi made all Afghans upset; however, naming the mosque of Wazir Akbar Khan Mena Mosque after the name of the late Niazi is a mistake that the government makes. Wazir Akhbar Khan was a popular figure of the Afghan history who has severely beaten the Britons.
ReplyI agree
Reply16 Comment
The assassination case of Dr. Mohammad Ayaz Niazi, martyr of Islam, should not be forgotten. Open-minded scholars are the intellectual asset of the society. By killing our honest scholars, the ignorant neighbors of Afghanistan want to implement the religion on us according to their own styles. If we sit quietly, we will have dangerous future ahead of us.
Reply16 Comment
Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Ayaz Niazi was a bright star in the Afghan academic society. Unfortunately, the enemies of Afghanistan could not tolerate him and martyred him. In addition to being a professor and had teaching responsibility at Kabul University, he spoke through many media outs and at various conferences to enlighten the public and encouraged people to unity and togetherness. He has done a lot for the people of Afghanistan over the past 20 years. May Almighty God grant him paradise. We belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return!
Reply16 Comment
Ayaz Niazi had remained the only moderate scholar in Afghanistan; he was martyred by the enemies of this country. After his assassination, no moderate religious scholar has remained in Afghanistan. The Afghan government must identify the perpetrators of the assassination of this glorious scholar and sentence them with capital punishment.
Reply16 Comment
The assassination of Dr. Sahib Niazi is an irreparable loss not only for the Afghan academic community, but for the entire country. He was a moderate, compassionate and patriotic scholar. In his sermons on Fridays, he always called the people for unity or unification; therefore, he preached in both national languages of the country, Pashto and Dari. He was a tolerant and benevolent person. May his soul be happy and his memory be cherished.
Reply16 Comment
The assassination of Dr. Ayaz Niazi is the work of Pakistan's intelligence, because he was an open-minded and moderate scholar and he was in favor of peace in Afghanistan, and in his sermons, he always called people for brotherhood and opposed the war in Afghanistan. I wish this glorious scholar paradise from the merciful God, and I express my condolences to all the people of Afghanistan, especially his respected family.
ReplyAyaz Niazi Killed by Pakistan Intelligence. Ayaz Niazi one of the most good and righteous Imam for Afghan. But Pakistan don't want any promotion process in Afghanistan.
ReplyInshallah one day we will eradicate Pakistan from the globe Map.
16 Comment