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20 April 2024 / 11. Shawal 1445
Westgate Mall – 68 killed over 200 injured
At around 12:00pm on Saturday 21st September 2013, as people were shopping or having lunch at the upscale Westgate Shopping Centre in Kenya’s capital, between 10 to 15 militants said to be of Somalian descent opened fire on employees and customers. A children’s day programme was also being held at the time of the incident.
Initially thought to be a robbery, this 5 day siege turned into a sensitive and dangerous hostage situation. Officials report that this became a stand-off as the Kenya military tried to capture the assailants without letting any harm come to those civilians who were still trapped inside.
Constant bursts of gunshots could be heard throughout the mall and grenades were thrown as well. Over 1000 civilians have been brought out safely, however 68 people have lost their lives and another 200+ people, including children have been injured.
The Somalian group Al-Shabaab, have claimed responsibility for the massacre.
The World Federation strongly condemns these vicious acts of brutality. The targeting of innocent civilians is nothing more than cowardly and inhumane. Such attacks are cruel and have no place whatsoever in Islam, the Qur’an or the life-examples of Prophet Muhammad and his household.
The World Federation prays for the safe delivery of all those still inside the shopping mall, and gives its heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and injured.
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