On behalf of the World Council of Churches I express my shock and horror at the brutal killings that took place on 26 June in Kuwait, Tunisia and France. I grieve with those who have lost loved ones, and those who have been injured as a result of these appalling acts, which have marred the month of Ramadan, sacred to Muslims everywhere.

I am aware that the intention of those who undertook these atrocities was to promote wider turmoil – fomenting strife between people of different religions and religious traditions, and resulting in the destruction of many lives, livelihoods and communities. All people of good must stand together in solidarity to name and reject the evil that is seen among us in these days, the perversion of religion to be a tool for violence, rather than an agent of peace.

Georges Lemopoulos
WCC acting general secretary