UPDATE - Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives condemn concert hall attack in Russia's Moscow region

UPDATES WITH INDONESIA, MALDIVES STATEMENTS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Anadolu staff

Malaysia, Indonesia, and Maldives on Saturday condemned Friday's concert hall attack in the Russian capital Moscow.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said "this utterly despicable atrocity can never be said to represent Islam or, indeed, any religion."

In a statement, Ibrahim said that on behalf of the people of Malaysia he conveys his deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the victims, their families, as well as the people of Russia.

"This gruesome and barbaric rampage has no place in the civilized world. The fact that the attack took place in a major concert hall, an epicenter of culture, is almost certainly by design, calculated to inflict maximum damage," he said.

"Additionally, as a Muslim, I feel compelled to underscore that this utterly despicable atrocity can never be said to represent Islam or, indeed, any religion. We must therefore stand firm against allowing such wickedness and evil to eclipse the peaceful and noble teachings of the world’s great faiths," said the Malaysian premier.

He added that his country stands ready to work with all its partners, including the Russian Federation, in their common struggle against terrorism.

Indonesia also condemned the attack and expressed its deepest sorrow and sympathy to the victims and their families.

"Indonesia condemns the heinous terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall on 22 March 2024 which resulted in dozens of people dead and hundreds injured," said the Foreign Ministry on X.

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer also condemned the deadly attack.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the government and people of the Russian Federation, especially the families of the victims, during this tragic hour," he wrote on X.

Gunmen opened fire at concertgoers late Friday, killing at least 115 people and injuring 145 others. The attack took place as rock band Picnic was about to perform at the Crocus City Hall just west of Moscow.​​​​​​​

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid