Muslims all over the world condemn terrorism, express solidarity with French
A civilian holds flowers next to a policeman near the Rue de Charonne in Paris on November 14, 2015, following a series of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late Friday which left more than 120 people dead. PHOTO: AFP
Paris shootings, explosions leave at least 120 dead
French President Francois Hollande on Saturday blamed the Islamic State group for the attacks in Paris that left at least 128 dead, calling them an "act of war".
Before that, the identity of the attackers remained unconfirmed; however, a witness quoted by BFM television said he heard rounds of automatic rifle fire and someone shouting “Allahu Akbar!” at The Bataclan.
Following the attacks, speculation was rife about the identity and faith of the attacks, and the blame shifted to Muslims in a sequence that is all too familiar, with some even blaming refugees.
Facebook sets up safety check for Paris friends
However, Muslims across the globe have come out to denounce the unprecedented attacks.
The head of Sunni Islam's leading seat of learning Cairo's Al-Azhar on Saturday condemned "hateful" attacks and urged global unity against extremism.
"We denounce this hateful incident," Ahmed al-Tayyeb told a conference in comments broadcast by Egyptian state television. "The time has come for the world to unite to confront this monster."
In an official statement, Prime Minister Nawaz sharif said: “Pakistan stands firmly behind the people and Government of France in this hour and extends its support to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said in a statement, according to Radio Pakistan.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani strongly condemned Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, branding them "crimes against humanity" in a message to his French counterpart Francois Hollande.
"In the name of the Iranian people, who have themselves been victims of terrorism, I strongly condemn these crimes against humanity and offer my condolences to the grieving French people and government," he wrote.
Witnesses tell of 'bloodbath' at Paris rock concert
Qatar’s foreign minister Khaled al-Attiyah denounced the “heinous attacks,” adding, “these acts, which target stability and security in France are against all human and moral values.”
UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan condemned the “heinous" attacks, the state-run WAM news agency reported. The country supports all measures aimed to eradicate terrorism, he said.
Kuwait’s ruler, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, in a message to Hollande, condemned "these criminal acts of terrorism which run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values." The country supports all measures France might take to protect its security, he said.
Many took to twitter to express their support for the French and denounce terrorism.