A girl is helped by police officers inside the Westgate Mall in Nairobi where 59 people are reported killed during Saturday’s terrorist attack. Please click on next image, see below, for a slide show at the Denver Post website. Viewer discretion is advised as some of the images are disturbing. Links are also provided to the websites of Al-Jazeera and the Washington Post.
Editor’s note: Please also click on the Comments link at top left of this post. They include updates about the dead victims and the injured.
Kenya’s grief is our grief. The unimaginable and unthinkable has happened in Nairobi, where dozens of people, including Canadians, are dead or injured in a brutal attack against civilians in a mall. The victims included children. The latest reports indicate that at least 59 people were killed and 175 injured in Saturday’s incident.
We feel as if humanity has been taken in its entirety. The preceding statement has its basis in the Holy Qur’an, which speaks about the sanctity of life (see quote by His Highness the Aga Khan on the Simerg banner at top of this page). Lost lives and injuries are even more difficult to bear and accept when they involve children, as in this incident that has wounded the entire world.
At this time, our prayers and thoughts are for the people of Kenya, and especially for the families who are grieving from this senseless and unjustifiable act. We pray for the souls of the deceased, and wish all the injured quick and complete recovery. We ask the Kenyan people to be courageous and vigilant in the wake of these despicable and cowardly acts.
In a written statement released on Saturday evening, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper said:
“Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms this cowardly, hateful act that apparently targeted innocent civilians who were simply out shopping. Terrorist attacks like this seek to undermine the very values and way of life that Canadians cherish….The hearts and prayers of all Canadians go out to the families and friends of all those affected by this senseless tragedy, and we extend our deepest condolences to those suffering the loss of Annemarie Desloges, one of our diplomats who has died in the attack.”
The tragedy is receiving extensive coverage from around the word, and we warn readers that some of the more than 50 images posted at The Denver Post (see link below or click on image) and other websites are quite disturbing and shocking. Readers may express their grief and convey their condolences by clicking on the comments icon at the top left of this page.
An injured person is brought to the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi after an attack at a mall in the Kenyan capital. Please click for a slide show and photos at the Denver Post.
Other external website links:
1. Al-Jazeera – Killing Spree in Nairobi
2. The Washington Post – Attack in Shopping Mall in Nairobi
Simerg - Insights from Around the World 
This is a tragic event, and all peace loving people condemn such cowardly acts by forces of darkness. May Allah rest the souls of the deceased in peace, and give strength to those injured and in grief for sooner recovery.
Amin Beg
Hunza, Pakistan
My family and I pray for all the deceased members who have lost their lives and pray for the speedy recovery of injured Jamati members. May Mawlana Hazar Imam rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace, and give strength to their families. We also pray for the whole Kenyan jamat – for their safety and well-being. Amen.
Deeply saddened by the tragic events in Nairobi. My heart goes out to all the families involved. We have lost 4 close family members. Two from one family. Mother & daughter!! This does NOT make any sense. Sending prayers for peace, prayers for courage& prayers for the Kenyan Jamat. Sending hugs to all. Love you Mowla be with you.
Rashida Kanji
Toronto, Canada
My prayers for the people in Nairobi who lost their lives and their families. Amen!
Zarina & Jalaludin Damji Toronto
We pray for the souls of those who lost their lives and convey our deepest condolences to their families. Ameen.
I pray for the soulsof the deceased and may GOD rest their souls in eternal peace.
Those who are injured and in hospital I pray for their quick recovery. My profound condolences to the families who lost their beloved ones.
Our prayers are with Kenyan people, God be with you all
By now – you will be well aware of the attack by Al-Shabab Group based in Somalia carrying out terrorist attack on the Westgate Mail in Nairobi – the situation is on-going as I write.
From the information gathered via some friends, relatives and my own family, amongst the 60 dead so far, there are at least 3 Ismailis – one of them 6 months pregnant (I am informed her name is Ruhila Adatia) who was there presenting a children’s programme. There has been confirmation that some who were killed have relatives in London and are making their way to Nairobi for funerals.
There may be some more held hostage as well. I am informed that this Centre is very popular with Ismailis – especially on weekends – and is close to many Ismaili homes.
My brother-in-law was in hospital for a pace-replacement and his son went there to take him after being discharged. He was due to proceed to the meeting at that Centre but was delayed when the news of attack reached them. This probably saved him and those who were going to the meeting.
My brother-in-law, Salim’s son – Hussein – who is a journalist working for Asian News reports that many of our Ismaili Volunteers are there doing their bit in this tragic event while many others are donating blood as well as providing every possible assistance that they can.
I have just watched BBC LIVE Broadcast from State House – Nairobi where the President Kenyatta was joined by other politicians and diplomats from across the world outlining the situation and damming this act..
Let us Pray to Allah to Rest those Souls in Eternal Peace and give Courage and Fortitude to those they left behind.
Let us pray for those who are wounded for speedy recovery.
Let us pray that those who are now helping – strength to see this through the end in the Spirit of Unity of the Nation that we still have affection – our Beloved Kenya.
Ameen
Huzur Mukhi Sultanali H.K. Jivraj – Khoplo,
London, England
More updates from Saleemaa Jivraj:
TWO FUNERAL ANNOUCEMENTS
Name:
1. SALIMA AYAZ MERALI, age 41 years
2. NURIANA AYAZ MERALI, age 15 years
Dilsoji:
TUES 24TH SEPT
Funeral:
WED 25TH SEPT
_________________
Further to Sultan Jivraj’s feedback, Saleema Jivraj has sent a note to Simerg about the Ismailis who were killed in the terrorist attack, where a standoff is still underway. The individuals are:
1. Aleem Zulfikar Jamal, age 27;
2. Shyrose Badruddin Dossa, age 44;
3. Ruhila AdatIa-Sood, age 31; and
4. Nagib Damji, age not available at the current time.
The BBC reports that Ruhila Adatia-Sood, a popular Radio Africa host, was in the car park of the Westgate shopping centre where she was hosting a cooking competition. She was pregnant. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24195845
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenyan people, God be with you all…
May Allah rest their soul in peace Ameen
Two further Ismaili deaths were reported on Facebook. A lady named Salima and her young daughter Nuriana. I believe their ages were 31 and 7 respectively, but am not certain. Last names were not reported.
I have heard many Ismailis have been injured. Two names shared with me were Aleem Manji and Shamim Allu.
It is Salima Merali and Nuriana Merali
Prayers for all in Kenya.
Tragedy for all humanity.
Ironically, it’s the World’s Peace Day!
My brother Hanif lives close by the shopping centre. His step-son was in Westgate when the attacks took place. He said he was let go when they said everyone who was a Muslim and could recite the Koran were free to leave.
We pray for the souls of those who lost their lives through no fault of their own, and convey our deepest condolence to their families. Amen.
Hello mom…hope you are fine, am alright. As family, we had a prayerful Sunday…even its sad for the dark cloud that happened in our country, they call them terrorists under the name of Allah, but call them evil men for killing the innocent humans. 2 friends of mine were on the mix…but they are safe now…but despite all, we Kenyans in general we are all affected in one way or another. I have been in that mall more than 4 times before. An Indian friend of mine prefer we have cup of coffee whenever I am in Nairobi. Hope all will be alright. keep our country in prayers. Love you mom. I feel so helpless. These are the word of my son in Thika.
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
( In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the Merciful)
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji’oon.
To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return. (Al-Baqarah 2:156)
“And He it is Who in the heaven is God, and in the earth God. He is the Wise, the knower” (Holy Quran; Az-Zukhruf; XLIII:84).
Our prayers are with the Nairobi Jamat and the people who lost their lives and their families.
My prayers are for the ones who died. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Ameen. For all those Ismailie and other people who are injured, for their speedy recovery and for all those who are still kept hostages to be safe and be out of danger soon. Ameen.
I do not think any words can come close to the void your loss has brought. Nor can I profess to know your pain, for only those who have lost, can truly claim those emotions. I can only say, that I grieve with you and pray for the souls of your loved ones; as I pray for knowledge and humility to come to those confidently ignorant individuals who claim to be believers!
Khurshid Makani, Singapore
All Kenya-based friends and family,
With the siege still going on my thoughts are with you in tweets, emails and phone calls. September 21 will be added in the list of terrorisms inflicted on innocent people.
May the people who were killed rest in eternal peace and may their dear ones and people of Kenya find comfort in our prayers. If there was anything redeeming in this, it was/and is to see scenes of inter-racial harmony in the face of this cowardly attack.
Vali Jamal, Kampala, Uganda