Afghan Mosque Suicide Bomber Kills 40 or More; Mosque Packed with Muslims on Annual Holiday

A suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and wounded dozens of others today (October 26, 2012), as they gathered for morning prayers in northern Afghanistan, according to the VOA News website.

Bodies were seen lying on the ground after the suicide bomber blew himself up outside the mosque in Maymana, the capital of Faryab province.

The mosque was especially crowded today, as worshipers had gathered to pray at the start of the annual Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday -- a three-day celebration when families typically gather together.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the attack -- believed to have been under the direction of the Taliban --  saying those behind the bombing were "enemies of Islam and humanity."