 Secretary-General's Special Representative in Iraq Ashraf Qazi on Monday expressed regret over the incident at Umm al-Qura mosque on Sunday, urging "all parties" to respect the sanctity of holy sites and places of worship, it was announced here in a statement.| I call on all Paleos to respect the sanctity of Christian churches in the West Bank. There -- I'm due for a fatwa. |
The US military reportedly forced their way into the mosque, prompting the Sunni Iraqis to react angrily to this "sinful assault." Qazi did not mention the US by name, but called on the responsible authorities in Iraq to ensure that the issue be "investigated as quickly and transparently as possible." He stressed that this incident, "following others in recent weeks involving places of worship, should serve as a reminder of the need to eschew violence and build mutual trust and confidence." "It was incumbent on all concerned to promote peaceful means of building a new Iraq and to support a fully inclusive political process that would increase stability and a peaceful future for the people of Iraq," the statement said. |