Foreign countries and their envoys in Dhaka, international organisations, and cross section yesterday and on Sunday stoutly protested the barbaric militant attack on a café in the capital's Gulshan on Friday night.

They also extended condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of the victims.

OIC

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani called on the Bangladesh foreign minister on Sunday to express his sympathies and OIC's support to Bangladesh in the aftermath of the terrorist attack, reports our staff correspondent.

Calling for collective international efforts to defeat such menace against humanity, he stressed the need for understanding as well as addressing extremism, violence and terrorism in a comprehensive approach.

AUSTRALIA

In a press release issued from the Australian High Commission in Dhaka, the mission said, "Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."

On Saturday, Julie Bishop MP, Australian minister for foreign affairs, expressed her strong condemnation to the attack and   sympathy to the people of Bangladesh.

BRAZIL

Terming the attack cowardly, Brazilian Ambassador Wanja Campos da Nóbrega expressed solidarity on behalf of the Brazilian government with the governments of Italy, Japan, India and the United States for the loss of their nationals in the attack.

IRAN

Bahram Qasemi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, yesterday expressed deep condolence to the Bangladeshi nation and government and the families who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack.

He said in a press statement that all peace loving countries in the world should put mounting pressure on supporters of such extremist groups to help lessen such anti-human crimes.

CHITTAGONG

Our staff correspondent in Ctg reports: Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) organised a rally and a human chain, protesting the attack.

RAJSHAHI

In Rajshahi, city Awami League (AL) brought out a procession that paraded through Shaheb Bazar to Alupatty intersection and held a rally in front of its Kumarpara office, condemning the attack, adds our staff correspondent in Rajshahi.

Rajshahi Journalists Union (RUJ), Workers Party, the Rajshahi district unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League also held separate processions and human chains, protesting the terrorist attack.

Meanwhile, Gervas Rozario, the bishop of Rajshahi and also president of the Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace, condemned the massacre.

He said, "…the attack is an unjustified barbarous act… Now Muslims believers must stand up to protect their religion," reports Asia News.

SYLHET

In Sylhet, Sommilito Natya Parishad (SNP) organised a rally on the Central Saheed Minar premises in the city, protesting the attack, reports our Sylhet correspondent.

Politicians, journalists, cultural activists and general people attended the rally presided over by Nizam Uddin Lashker, chief director of SNP Sylhet chapter.

On Friday night, 20 hostages -- nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi American and two Bangladeshis -- were killed in the barbaric terrorist attack on a café in the capital's posh Gulshan area, which left 28 people dead, including 20 hostages, most of whom were foreign nationals.