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A suicide bomber attacked a school in Kabul, Afghanistan Friday killing at least 30 people most of which were young women. Around 600 girls were crowded together in the building preparing for a test when the bomber struck the educational center.
The bomb went off Friday morning at the Kaaj Education Centre in Afghanistan’s capital. At least 27 others were wounded in the blast. According to Al Jazeera most of the victims in the attack were high school graduates who were studying for university entrance exams.
I am devastated to hear the shocking news from Kabul, where at least 19 high school students have been killed, and many more injured. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the people of Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/hODMABffO9
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 30, 2022
Police spokesman Khalid Zadran says the attack took place at a private tutoring center. He says, “Attacking civilian targets proves the enemy’s inhuman cruelty and lack of moral standards.” It is unclear right now who is behind the attack; there has not been an immediate claim of responsibility.
According to NBC a local resident Ghulum Sadiq was sitting in his house when he heard a loud explosion. “My friends and I were able to move around 15 wounded and 9 dead bodies from the explosion site…other bodies were lying under chairs and tables inside the classroom,” Sadiq said.
Since the Taliban took over in August 2021, they shut down access to school for girls over 6th grade. Many had found loopholes in attending the schools like the tutoring center that was attacked Friday morning.
“First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run to a different direction,” said 19-year-old survivor Shafi Akbary in an interview with The Associated Press.
Akbary says, “Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the center.” He was unharmed during the explosion but says she saw dozens of wounded people and bodies laying around.
The minority Hazara community, mostly made up of Shiite Muslims have been targeted numerous times in violent acts. The Taliban police are investigating the bombing but have not released any further information.
Here’s how you can pray:
- Pray for the families of those killed in the explosion Friday morning that God would comfort them and reveal Jesus to them.
- Pray for those responsible for the attack that they would encounter God and be completely transformed and born again.
- Pray for the people who live their lives afraid of what may come that God would give them peace and hope.
As long as the world continues to speak up against the violence and oppression going on in Afghanistan, a voice is given to those who feel like they don’t have a voice. The most important thing that the body of Christ can do is pray and spread the word of what is going on in Afghanistan. {eoa}
Shelby Lindsay is an assistant editor for Charisma Media.
