Yesterday was a tragic day in Kuwait’s history.
During Friday prayers, a suicide bomber walked into Imam Sadiq Mosque and killed 27 people and injuring over 200. ISIS quickly took responsibility for the incident rejoicing at having struck out at a Shi’ite mosque.
What the “Islamic State” don’t grasp is that it doesn’t matter what mosque it was or what Muslim faction was praying there. When you strike at Muslims (especially during prayers in the holy month of Ramadan) you are striking at Muslims. A strike on Kuwait soil is a strike against Kuwait. And that is unacceptable.
The response to the incident has been overwhelming. The people of Kuwait rallied around the victims of this senseless tragedy and their families. I have never been more proud of Kuwait and its residents, both citizens and expats. The Amir was among the first to visit the site of the tragedy. The Kuwait Central Blood Bank initially said they would open after iftar at 7:30pm but had to open immediately due to the overwhelming presence of all the donors that showed up at its doors clamoring to help in any way they could. Doctors, emergency personnel, and security forces all came out in droves to help out in any way they could. Sunnis and Shiites stood together in prayer in response to this attempt at sectarian division.
The outpouring of support and unity is a testament to the Kuwaiti spirit.