For many across the world, Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, has come with a whirlwind of emotions. While millions in the global Islamic community come together to celebrate the end of the Islamic holy month of fasting, many mourn the death of those that became victims of the series of violent attacks around the world during the holy month. What started in Orlando with the worst massacre in United States’ history, went on with several incidents including the bombing of the Ataturk airport in Istanbul. The latest to follow was Dhaka with the coordinated bombings in Saudi Arabia, then attacks in Baghdad and Yemen, and then again there was a blast at an Eid prayer gathering near Dhaka. Together, such violent attacks across the world have caused hundreds of casualties.
Orlando Massacre: On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American security guard, targeted Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the United States killing 49 people and injuring 53 others. The incident is considered to be the deadliest mass shooting and incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history. Mateen was later shot and killed by Orlando police after a three-hour standoff.
Istanbul, Turkey: During the early hours of June 29, attackers targeted Turkey’s Ataturk airport when suicide bombers detonated their bombs killing at least 41 innocent people and injuring another 239. 13 suspects, including 10 Turks, have been charged over the Istanbul airport suicide bombings, which has been the deadliest of several attacks to strike Turkey’s biggest city this year. Gunmen armed with automatic weapons and explosive belts staged a simultaneous attack at the international terminal of the airport. The United Nations and the Council of Europe and the European Union expressed their condolences and solidarity with Turkey.
Dhaka, Bangladesh: An attack on a cafe in Dhaka left 28 people dead, including 20 hostages, most of whom were killed with sharp weapons. 13 people were rescued after more than 100 Bangladeshi commandos stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery early on Saturday after the 12-hour siege. Nine Italians, one American, seven Japanese, and an Indian citizen were confirmed to be among the dead. “Most [of] them had been brutally hacked to death with sharp weapons,” Bangladesh’s army spokesman Brigadier General Nayeem Ashfaq Chowdhury said. The cafe was popular with foreigners, diplomats, young people, and middle-class Bangladeshis. Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen has been blamed for the attack.
Baghdad, Iraq: A truck packed with explosives was detonated in the Karrada district while families were shopping in the final days before the end of Ramadan. Experts suggest that this was the worst case of bombing in Iraq since the invasion, and caused 250 casualties. Interior Minister Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban submitted his resignation, citing what he said was a lack of “coordination among security systems.” The responsibility for the carnage was claimed by the Islamic State, which was another blow to an already unstable Iraq.
Saudi Arabia: Suicide bombers struck three Saudi Arabian cities, that killed four people, in a coordinated set of attacks as worshipers prepared to break their fast on the penultimate day of the holy month of Ramadan. The explosions targeted the US Consulate, Shiite worshippers in the eastern city of Qatifand, and a security headquarters at the mosque of the Prophet Mohammad, the second-holiest site in Islam, in the city of Medina where worshippers had gathered for Maghrib prayers. “We will strike with an iron hand those who target the minds and thoughts… of our dear youth,” King Salman of Saudi Arabia said. World leaders, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, politicians, groups and activists expressed their outrage over the violent incident.
Aden, Yemen: Suicide bombers targeted Yemeni troops, killing 6 and injured dozens when they blew up their cars at a military base in the southern city of Aden. Aden is serving as the home of Yemen’s government.
Dhaka, Bangladesh: On July 7th, 2016, three people, including two policemen and a woman were killed while seven were injured in a bomb explosion and gun-battle near an Eid prayer gathering, to celebrate the end of Ramadan in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. “They threw a bomb at a police check post. A police constable was killed in the explosion. One attacker was killed and another was arrested,” Mahbubur Rahman, a police officer in the district control room, has told news agency AFP. One attacker was shot dead and another was captured alive by security forces, said Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu.
- Pakistan Placed On Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List - February 27, 2018
- India’s Annual Economic Survey Reveals Over 63 Million Women ‘Missing’ In India - January 31, 2018
- Women And War: Lessons From The Brutality Of India’s Partition - December 2, 2017