Kabul killings betray Mohammed's legacy: mosque

The Claremont Main Road Mosque, in Cape Town, has condemned the suicide bomb attack that killed eight South Africans in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"The latest killings are part of the ongoing protests against the offensive film depicting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a profane and negative light," the mosque said in a statement on Wednesday.

It said that by continuing to choose violence as a response to provocation, the attackers betrayed the prophet's legacy and wisdom.

The mosque noted with concern that Afghan police claimed the South Africans worked for Aviation Charter Solutions (ACS), which provided aircraft for the United States embassy and its aid programme.

"This latest tragedy once again highlights the urgent need for the US and its Nato forces to immediately cease its illegitimate war in Afghanistan."

The mosque said the ongoing presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan served as further provocation for the continued killings of innocent men, women and children.

It extended its condolences to the families of the victims and called on peace and justice-loving people to condemn all forms of violence.

The eight South Africans were killed around 4am on Tuesday morning.

Beeld newspaper reported on Wednesday that the victims of the attack worked for the Johannesburg company, ACS/Balmoral.

The suicide bomber, thought to be a woman, also died in the attack, as did the Afghan minibus driver, a ground crew member from Kirgistan, and a pedestrian.