Epigraph:
Every human life is precious and sacred and killing one is like triggering a genocide. (Al Quran 5:32/33)
France attack: Deadly stabbing in Nice ‘terrorist attack’, mayor says
Source: BBC
Three people have been killed in a knife attack at a church in the French city of Nice, police say.
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said there had been a “terrorist attack at the heart of the Notre-Dame basilica”.
One elderly victim who had come to pray was “virtually beheaded”. A suspect was shot and detained shortly afterwards.
Mr Estrosi spoke of “Islamo-fascism” and that the suspect had “repeated endlessly ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest).”
President Emmanuel Macron is on his way to the scene. France’s national anti-terror prosecutors have opened a murder inquiry.
Mr Estrosi compared the attack to the recent murder of teacher Samuel Paty, who was beheaded close to his school outside Paris earlier this month.
Police have not suggested a motive for the attack in Nice. However, it follows days of protests in some Muslim-majority countries triggered by President Macron’s defence of French cartoons that depict the Prophet Mohammed. There have been calls in some countries for a boycott of French goods.
Meanwhile, two further attacks took place on Thursday morning, one in France and one in Saudi Arabia.
Suggested reading by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
The Muslim Times’ Collection on Islam’s Condemnation of Terrorism
I am a Jew, a Catholic, a Christian and a Muslim; I am Zia H Shah
Our Favorite Christian Prayer by Saint Francis
Turkey condemns violent attack in France’s Nice, expresses solidarity with French people
European Convention on Human Rights describes national security and six other exceptions to free speech. I suppose for the sake of international peace, not abusing the father figure of 1.8 billion Muslims can be one such concession as well
Insulting Muslims is an abuse of free speech, Iran’s Zarif says
Psalm 23 – A psalm of David: A Message of Hope
Videos: Let Joel Osteen Breathe Hope, Optimism and Success in Your Life
A Slight Twist Makes David Attenborough a Great Teacher for God of the Abrahamic Faiths
Love thy Neighbor is a Christian Value, Hate and Stereotyping aren’t
Has Facebook allowed the spread of anti-Muslim hate and violence?
Imran Khan’s letter to Mr. Zuckerberg
Categories: Counter Terrorism, Europe, Europe and Australia, France