ANKARA

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday denounced a deadly terror attack in Afghanistan that claimed the life of a respected religious scholar.   

“We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack targeting Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque and causing the death of distinguished religious scholar Iyaz Niyazi in Kabul/Afghanistan,” it said in a statement.  

It said there was “no justification for attacks targeting places of worship,” and wished “Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, a swift recovery to the injured and condolences to the friendly and brotherly people of Afghanistan.”  

Niyazi, 54, was widely respected for his wisdom and demeanor even during the turbulent war-stricken years in Afghanistan.