ASIA/IRAN - Iranian priest following the massacres in Tehran: terrorists will not succeed in frightening our people

Thursday, 8 June 2017 terrorism   geopolitics   oriental churches   middle east   area crisis  

IRNA

Teheran (Agenzia Fides) - "As Iranian Assyrian Chaldean Catholic priest, I am saddened by such inhumane acts, mostly accomplished by people who present themselves faithful to God and Islam, and therefore spread a false image of faith and religion". This is how Iranian priest Hormoz Aslani Babroudi, Iran's National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), reports to Agenzia Fides his feelings and considerations of his fellow countrymen regarding the terrorist attacks that on Wednesday, June 7, sowed death and devastation in Tehran. Iranian authorities confirm that in the last few hours the number of victims of the double attack has risen to 17. "But the perpetrators of the massacres" adds Father Hormoz "do not know that these acts will fail to spread fear among the people or weaken the State: so many have tried to do it before them, and they did not succeed, and they will not succeed this time and in the future. Because Iranian, Muslim, and Christian people will always be united in defending the principles of their faith and their Country".
As a priest, Fr. Hormoz also expresses his condolences to "Spiritual Guide, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Hassan Rouhani", and declares "to be close to the families of the victims: I will pray for the soul of those who have lost their lives, for the comfort of their family members and also of all the wounded".
On Wednesday, June 7, in the double terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State (Daesh), armed men entered the parliament, while another commando opened fire on pilgrims at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities claim to have blocked a third attack, and at least 5 among the attackers had in the past been part of Daesh's militias, active in Mosul and Raqqa. In addition to the 17 victims, more than fifty people were injured, of whom at least six are still in severe condition.
In recent hours, Iran's foreign Minister rejected Donald Trump's condolences for the deadly attacks in Tehran, calling the U.S. president's words "repugnant".
Trump had said he prayed for the victims of Wednesday's attacks that were claimed by Islamic State, but added that "states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote". (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 8/6/2017)


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