SRSG Ashraf Qazi condemns the attack on Abdul-Qader Al-Gilani mosque in Baghdad, renews his call for protection of worship places of all Iraqis
He reiterated that the perpetrators of this heinous crime, which claimed the lives of tens of Iraqis and injured scores of innocent civilians, clearly intended to inflame sectarian passions and undermine any prospect of peace and stability in Iraq. In order to counter such outrages from which no community in Iraq has been safe, Mr. Qazi renewed his appeal to all the political and religious leaders to take practical measures to combat this menace and to ensure respect for human and political rights as well as religious sensitivities of all Iraqis. This includes the protection of their places of pilgrimage and worship and sites of national historical significance. Mr. Qazi concluded by again calling on the Iraqi authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.