Anwar condemns Moscow attack

Such acts do not represent Islam or any other faith, says PM

PETALING JAYA: The gruesome and barbaric rampage at a concert hall in Moscow, Russia, which at press time has claimed the lives of 143 people, has no place in the civilised world, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In condemning the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall, the Prime Minister said that such acts do not represent Islam or any other faith.

“As a Muslim, I feel compelled to underscore that this utterly despicable atrocity can never be said to represent Islam or, indeed, any religion,” Anwar said in a statement.

“We must therefore stand firm against allowing such wickedness and evil to eclipse the peaceful and noble teachings of the world’s great faiths,” Anwar said.

The fact that the attack took place in a major concert hall, an epicentre of culture, was certainly by design and calculated to inflict maximum damage, he added.

Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s sympathies for the victims, which stood at over 140 people killed and at least 145 injured.

Grim task: Members of the Russian Emergencies Ministry clearing rubble at the Crocus City Hall concert venue after the deadly attack. — Reuters

“On behalf of the people of Malaysia, I wish to convey my deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the victims, their families, as well as the people of Russia,” he said.

Anwar added that Malaysia stands ready to work with all its partners, including the Russian Federation, in the common struggle against terrorism.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and reaffirmed Malaysia’s stance in rejecting terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations.

“Malaysia continues to underscore the urgent need for a concerted international effort to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in a comprehensive and effective manner,” Wisma Putra said in a statement.

“Malaysia expresses its deepest condolences to the government and people of the Russian Federation, in particular the bereaved families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” it added.

The ministry also confirmed that all registered Malaysians were safe in the Russian capital.

Joint action: Investigators and other government officials working at the scene after the attack on the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow. — AP

“We advised Malaysians and Malaysian students in Moscow to stay updated on the latest developments and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by the local authorities,” it said.

Islamic State, the group that once controlled swathes of Iraq and Syria, has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement on its Amaq agency Telegram channel.

Islamic State said its fighters launched an attack on the outskirts of Moscow, “killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely”.

The statement gave no further details.

A news agency said 11 suspects have been detained in connection with the incident.

An Interfax report said Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has told Russian president Vladimir Putin that of the 11 detained, four are said to be directly involved while further efforts are underway to locate more accomplices.

A grainy picture was published by some Russian media of two of the alleged attackers in a white car, while other Russian media said the gunmen were still at large.

The attack on Crocus City Hall, about 20km from the Kremlin, comes just two weeks after the United States Embassy in Russia warned that “extremists” had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow.