RIYADH/JEDDAH: Friday’s attack on a mosque in Al-Ahsa drew condemnation from officials and security experts, who hailed Saudi Arabia’s efforts in thwarting terror attacks and Iran’s efforts to sow seeds of discord in the Kingdom.

Denouncing the mosque attack, Abdul Rahman Al-Sanad, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia), said: “It is a great offense and unjust killing of innocent souls, which is clearly forbidden, is a major sin. It is a clear attempt to divide the community by creating hatred and targeting innocent worshipers. However, it will only strengthen the unity of citizens against those indulging in such crimes.”

Security forces prevented two suicide bombers from entering the Al-Ridha Mosque during the Friday congregational prayers in Al-Ahsa. However, one of the terrorists blew himself up at the gate of the mosque, killing four people and injuring 18. The other bomber was arrested following an exchange of gunfire.

Djibouti Ambassador Dya-eddin Said Bamakhrama, the dean of the Diplomatic Corps, strongly condemned the attack. In a statement to Arab News, he reaffirmed solidarity with the Kingdom against the terrorist act, saying: “Such bloodshed in the houses of God is a heinous crime and its perpetrators have nothing to do with Islam.”

He praised the vigilance of the security men who prevented the two suicide bombers from entering the mosque and foiling a major disaster.

Bamakhrama expressed his condolences to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and to the families of the martyrs, and hoped for speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.

The plans of Iran and the terrorist groups in the region have not stopped, but the alert Saudi security authorities are preventing criminal operations, Ibrahim Ahmad, a specialist in terrorism studies, was quoted as saying by local media.

The Ministry of Interior had issued an alert that terrorists were planning to break into mosques with explosive belts and machine guns while people were praying, he said, adding: “Alert Saudi security forces foiled the attempt of suicide bombers to enter the mosque in Al-Ahsa and saved many lives.”

Full awareness of citizens also helped the security forces, leading to the arrest of one of the suicide bombers, he added.

Echoing Ahmad’s views, Omar Hamid, adviser and terrorism analyst, said timely action by the security authorities saved many lives in Al-Ahsa. “Otherwise, a human disaster might have happened among the peaceful worshippers,” he said.

Citizens’ cooperation with security authorities has sent a clear message of unity to the terrorist groups who seek to instill sedition, difference and agitation among the people of the Kingdom, he added.