Pope, other religious leaders condemn Garissa attack

Religious leaders across the world yesterday condemned the terrorist attack at Garissa University College that left at least 147 people dead while tens of others sustained injuries.

Led by Pope Francis, the leaders condemned the attack  as cowardice. Pope Francis said the attack was a case  of “senseless brutality”.

“In union with all people of good will throughout the world, His Holiness condemns this act of senseless brutality and prays for a change of heart among its perpetrators,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in a statement.

Cardinal Parolin said the pontiff called upon “all those in authority to redouble their efforts to work with all men and women in Kenya to bring an end to such violence”.

Francis has expressed alarm over the plight of Christians targeted for their faith, particularly by the self-styled Islamic State in the Middle East.

He said the international community would be justified in using military force as a last resort to stop “unjust aggression”.

Locally, religious leaders strongly condemned the Thursday morning attack with Muslim leaders disowning the attackers as Muslims saying they are using religion to commit heinous acts.

“We the Muslim Community of Garissa County condemn the heinous acts committed against innocents of Garissa University College; we sincerely send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed,” said Abdullahi Salat, the Supkem Chairman Garissa branch while flanked by other religious leaders at a press conference Friday morning.

Gunmen suspected to be members of Al-Shabab militia early Thursday morning stormed Garissa University College shooting indiscriminately killing 147 according to government officials.

Salat said the Muslim community in the county will closely work with the institutions mandated to protect citizens to address security challenges. “As religious leaders we will do all our means to work together with government, we are calling upon all Kenyans young and old to stand firm because this war is an international war and can only be won while we are all together,” he said.

And Muslim and Christian leaders from across the country condemned the Garissa University killings and appealed to the government to put enough measures to improve security.

In a joint statement issued at a Bungoma hotel, Imam Muhammed Kipsang, Sheikhs Maalim Said, Amin Ali Sheikh and Bishops Christopher Netia and Wafula Macheusi condemned the brutal killings.

They also called on the international community to assist Kenya deal with militia groups crossing the country’s borders at will.

“We come together under the auspices of the Bungoma Inter-Faiths body to condemn the killings of innocent Kenyans by people who have no regard to the sanctity of human life. We also want to sent our heartfelt condolences to affected families.”