13 January 2016•Update: 14 January 2016
By Prem K Kumar
KUALA LUMPUR
The day after a suicide bomb left 10 people dead and wounded 15 others in the heart of Istanbul’s central tourist district, organizations and countries worldwide continue to offer Turkey their support while condemning those responsible.
On Wednesday, Nasharudin Mat Isa, CEO of the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation, offered thoughts and prayers for the deceased, and "all those affected by this assault on innocent people, going about their lives".
"These extreme actions run contrary to the very heart of the target, a historic city wherein the monuments of three major empires -- Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman blend together with a touch majesty and tranquillity," he said.
The Tuesday morning blast took place about 30 meters (100 feet) away from the Blue Mosque and around 40 meters (130 feet) from the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museums in Sultanahmet Square, on which used to sit a circus considered the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, then capital of the Byzantine Empire.
Both mosque and museums were hit by shrapnel from the blasts.
"It is our hope that the lessons of historical tolerant past will prevail over the extremities of present," Isa added.
Also to offer condolences Wednesday was the Indonesian Government, who -- through a ministry of foreign affairs statement -- expressed sorrow to the families of victims, and India and Pakistan.
In a press release, the Pakistani embassy in Ankara condemned the bombing.
"We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," the embassy said.
"We stand in strong solidarity with the fraternal government and people of Turkey in their struggle against terrorism.'
Early Wednesday, security forces arrested dozens of people across Turkey, including three Russian nationals for alleged links with Daesh in the aftermath of the attack.
Unnamed security sources told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that the trio were arrested during raids in southern Antalya province, while six other suspects were also arrested in western Izmir.
The source was not named according to Turkish foreign ministry protocol.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has blamed a Daesh suicide bomber for the attack which killed mostly German tourists.
Turkey is currently fighting PKK terrorists in its south, and battling Daesh inside and outside of its borders.
On Wednesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak took to Twitter and Facebook to say how saddened the bombing had left him.
"Another reminder of the need to combat extremism, wherever it may be," he added.
