The Muslim world has united to condemn a deadly attack at one of Islam's holiest sites - the Prophet's Mosque in the Saudi city of Medina.

Setting aside differences, world leaders, politicians, groups and activists expressed their outrage on Tuesday, a day after a suicide bomber killed at least four guards within striking distance of the Prophet Muhammad's tomb.

Saudi Arabia: Bombings target Medina and Qatif mosques

The blast followed two more attacks, in Jeddah and Qatif, also on Monday.

A spokesman for Saudi Arabia's interior ministry described the triple bombings as "despicable acts that did not respect the sanctity of place, time and innocent people".

Here are some of the reactions from around the world following the suicide attacks.

Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, condemned the bombing in Medina and called for Muslim unity.

There are no more red lines left for terrorists to cross. Sunnis, Shiites will both remain victims unless we stand united as one. #Medina — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 5, 2016

Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, said "terror cannot be justified" and urged the public to remain calm but alert.

Aksi teror, di manapun, atas nama apapun, tidak dapat dibenarkan. Masyarakat harap tenang tapi tetap waspada -Jkw — Joko Widodo (@jokowi) July 5, 2016

Najib Razak, the Malaysian prime minister, also denounced the attack near the mosque where Prophet Muhammad is buried.

We condemn such vile acts happened especially within the Prophet's Mosque's vicinity in the holy city of Medina & this is not Islam. — Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) July 5, 2016

Pakistan's foreign ministry condemned the attacks, while its army chief telephoned Saudi Defence Minister Prince Muhammad bin Salman to express his support.



"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Saudi brothers in fighting the menace of terrorism," General Raheel said.

Melvut Cavusoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, sent his condolences.

Strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia. Wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives. — Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) July 4, 2016

Cairo-based Al-Azhar, the highest authority in Sunni Islam, condemned the attacks and stressed "the sanctity of the houses of God, especially the Prophet's Mosque".

Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, the foreign minister of Qatar, condemned the triple attacks and expressed Doha's support to neighbouring Saudi Arabia following the explosions.

Bloodshed in the name of religion is unacceptable. #Qatar strongly condemns blasts targeting #SaudiArabia , and reaffirms solidarity. — محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) July 4, 2016

Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, also called for Muslim unity.

جاء الوقت ان نعمل جميعا لحفظ ديننا الحنيف و نزع صفة الاسلام من هذه الشرذمة المجرمة القاتلة — عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) July 4, 2016

Saudi Arabia's supreme council of clerics said the blasts "prove that those renegades ... have violated everything that is sacred".

Lebanon-based Shia group Hezbollah also denounced the Medina attack as "a new sign of the terrorists' contempt for all that Muslims consider sacred".

The governments of Jordan and Lebanon joined in the condemnation, while Iraq said the attacks amounted to "heinous crimes".

Indian singer Adnan Sami expressed his sadness over the attack in one of the Muslim world's most important sites.

Terrorism has no religion. A Muslim wud not bomb one of Islam's holiest places. This act proves it beyond reasonable doubt! Period! #Medina — Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) July 4, 2016

Author Aisha Saeed said the attack was "the face of evil".

As a writer I strive to tease out nuance, explore murky gray. But these people?Medina in Ramadan on the cusp of Eid?This is the face of evil — Aisha Saeed (@aishacs) July 4, 2016

Retired Malian footballer Fred Kanoute, who lives in Dubai, said the incident was "unforgivable".

And now they attack the Noble Sanctuary of Prophet Muhammad's mosque #Madinah Unforgivable acts of terrorism https://t.co/R5O5vTQhW7 — Fred Oumar KANOUTÉ (@FredericKanoute) July 4, 2016

Muath Al Wari, an analyst at the Center for American Progress, reflected on the importance of Medina for Muslims.

Difficult to capture what Medina’s place in Islam is. It was the Prophet’s refuge, it fundamentally altered the trajectory of the religion. — Muath Al Wari (@MuathAlWari) July 4, 2016

Safy-Hallan Farah, an editor and writer, expressed disbelief about Monday's attack.

I never thought in my life i'd read an article about a suicide bombing in medina — offbrandravensymone (@SafyHallanFarah) July 4, 2016

Hayder al-Khoei, a research director at the Centre for Academic Shia Studies, described the attack in Medina as an act of "cowards".

Nothing is sacred for these cowards. If they could slaughter Muslims in Mecca in the Grand Mosque itself, they would pic.twitter.com/yL8xYsEQHM — Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) July 4, 2016

Rim-Sarah Alouane, a French researcher in public law, raised the fact that Muslims themselves are often victims of deadly attacks, and should not be made to apologise en masse for the actions of a few.

Do Muslims have to apologize and condemn the attacks of #Qatif and #Madinah , one of the holiest Muslim city ? Just asking for a friend. — Rim-Sarah Alouane (@RimSarah) July 4, 2016

Tariq Ramadan, author and professor of Islamic Studies at the university of Oxford, called for justice.

Syrian scholar Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi, like many others, pointed to a saying of the Prophet Muhammad about harming Medina.

The Prophet PBUH says, anyone who harms the people of Medina Allah will make him melt in fire like iron or like salt in water. (Bukhari) — Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi (@Shaykhabulhuda) July 4, 2016

Retired Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar shared his sadness over the bombing with his 115,000 followers.

Drowned in my heart..

saddened and felt sick about the blast in my Madina PAK.. — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 4, 2016

Journalist Reham Khan also condemned the attack.