The Global Imams Council (GIC) has issued a strong condemnation following the recent terrorist attack on a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling the act a gross violation of both spiritual and international human rights norms.

In a statement released on Monday, the Council described the assault as a despicable crime that defies the core teachings of all religions. “Attacks on places of worship not only violate divine principles but also erode the sanctity of human life,” the statement read.

Citing the Qur’an, the council emphasized that Islam prohibits unjustified violence, quoting scripture that equates the killing of a single innocent person to the killing of all humanity.

GIC expressed condolences to the victims' families and the Christian community in the DRC, while urging authorities to pursue the perpetrators and ensure accountability.

The Council also appealed to global human rights bodies to take a firm stance against such acts, warning that continued impunity threatens social stability and peace.

Muslims around the world were urged to maintain a discourse rooted in compassion, tolerance, and firm rejection of extremism in all its forms.

According to the BBC, the attack left more than 40 people dead, including 19 women, 15 men, and nine children.

The victims were gathered for a night vigil in Komanda town when suspected fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) launched a brutal raid. Homes and shops near the church were also looted and torched during the attack.

The ADF, a militia originally based in Uganda but now operating in eastern Congo, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State’s Central African Province.

The group has carried out numerous violent assaults on civilians across the region, irrespective of their religious background.

Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Chief of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), condemned the killings, describing them as an outright breach of international humanitarian law.

“Targeted attacks on civilians, especially in places of worship, are unacceptable and violate every standard of human rights,” she said.

Meanwhile, Congolese military spokesperson Lt. Jules Ngongo reported that many victims were killed with machetes.

He suggested the attack was intended to distract from joint military operations by Ugandan and Congolese forces currently targeting ADF hideouts.

Ngongo urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity that could help prevent further violence.