The suicide bomber in the Qatif mosque blast has been identified as Saleh bin Abdul Rahman Saleh Al-Qashami, who was a Saudi citizen.

Revealing this information, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, security spokesman of the Interior Ministry, on Saturday said the bomber was wanted by the security authorities for his association with the Islamic State group.

Forensic tests proved that the material used in the blast at the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque in the village of Al-Qadeeh was RDX, a deadly explosive.

The speaker, members of the Shoura Council and the Higher Council of Ulema (scholars) have strongly condemned the unspeakable crime.

“This terrorist act runs against the principles of Islam and all human values. It was an act which primarily meant to sow sectarian strife between the people of the Kingdom, and implement a foreign agenda,” Shoura Council Speaker Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh said.

He said the people of the Kingdom would stand united against anyone who tries to sow discord within the community and destabilize the country.

The Kingdom will firmly continue fighting terror, he said, and appreciated efforts exerted by all security forces in foiling terror plots.

“What is important now is that we stop the masterminds behind this cowardly act and arrest them,” Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki told international media following the attack.

Mohamed Al-Jafri, deputy speaker of the Shoura Council, said this criminal act confirms the sick approach followed by a deviant group, which adopted killing and destruction as a means to intimidate people.

Mohammed Alkhnessi, a Shoura member, told Arab News that the attack is an act of terrorism that has nothing to do with Islam. “To target innocent people in a mosque on Friday, while they are attending the congregational prayer, is totally unacceptable,” he said

He pointed out that the leadership under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is committed to maintaining the country’s security and safety. No one will be allowed to cross the red line, he said.

“I am confident that they will take all measures to bring the perpetrators to book. They will be closely following up on the incident and take swift and right action against the terrorists,” he added.

Such an incident “only strengthens the unity of the Saudi people. As you can see, people from all walks of life went to the site on the day of incident to offer assistance and some went to hospitals to donate blood for the injured,” he said.

“Health Minister Khalid Al-Falih, the governor of the region and community leaders arrived at the site and hospitals to express solidarity with victims.”

Fahad Al-Majid, secretary-general of the Higher Council of Ulema, called on all citizens, scholars and intellectuals to unify ranks and deprive enemies of the chances to destabilize the country hosting the two Holy Mosques.

Khalid bin Mohammed Yousuf, head of the Board of Grievances, said such criminal acts and killing of innocents are not related to Islam since it is a religion of mercy. He described the group behind the carnage as misguided and opposed to the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.

The Kingdom, under the leadership of King Salman, remains determined to eradicate terrorism while the people of the Kingdom will stand untied against these criminal acts that violate all values, customs and rights, he said.

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