KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia today condemns the attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, which killed at least 60 people and left more than 145 others injured.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described such an attack as "gruesome and barbaric rampage", which has no place in the civilised world.
In a statement shared on his social media accounts today, Anwar also expressed Malaysia's readiness to work with all its partners, including the Russian Federation, in the fight against terrorism.
"On behalf of the people of Malaysia, I wish to convey my deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the victims, their families, as well as the people of Russia.
"The fact that the attack took place in a major concert hall, an epicentre of culture, is almost certainly by design, calculated to inflict maximum damage.
"Additionally, as a Muslim, I feel compelled to underscore that this utterly despicable atrocity can never be said to represent Islam or, indeed, any religion," Anwar said.
He added that the global community must stand firm against allowing such wickedness and evil to eclipse the peaceful and noble teachings of the world's great faiths.
Earlier today, Reuters reported that camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at concertgoers during the Friday, dubbed the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.
Gunmen sprayed civilians with bullets just before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was to perform to a full house at the 6,200-seat the Crocus City Hall just west of the capital.