Manama: The family of the Saudi suicide bomber who blew himself up inside a mosque killing 21 worshippers had disavowed him, saying it had nothing to do with his terrorist act.
“The family members strongly condemn this outrageous action and distance themselves from him as they reiterate their pledge of allegiance to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Deputy Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman,” the family said in a statement.
“The Qashami family extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and expresses its wishes of a speedy recovery for the injured. We are all united in the country against deviationist views and ideologies and against anyone who attempts to target our nation and people.”
The family added that it would call for stringent action against anyone who incites Saudis to carry out heinous acts, local news site Sabq reported.
Saleh Al Qashami committed the suicide attack inside Imam Ali mosque in Qadeeh, a small town in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province.
The town is still under reeling the attack that also left 101 wounded.
According to local reports, the dead are to be buried on Monday in the town cemetery.
In the capital Riyadh, King Salman said that he was shocked and pained by the heinous crime that targeted the mosque.
“We were severely pained by the atrocity of the odious act of terror that clashes with Islamic and humane values,” King Salman said.
Every participant, plotter, supporter, collaborator or sympathiser with this heinous crime will be held accountable, put on trial and given the punishment they deserve. Our efforts will never stop fighting deviant mindsets, confronting terrorists and wiping out their hotbeds,,” King Salman said in a cable to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the deputy prime minister and minister of interior, to convey his condolences to the families of the deceased and his wishes of a speedy recovery to the wounded.
