Mosque attack proves terror mustn't be associated with Islam: Azhar

CAIRO – 24 November 2017: Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Abbas Shoman emphasized that the Friday attack on a mosque in Arish is clear evidence that terrorism must not be associated with Islam and that those criminals are distant from the crux of Islam.

“If Islam is not represented by the mosque, then where else it can be found?” Shoman further denounced, adding that they must stop hiding behind the cloak of Islam.

Minister of Endowments Khaled Mokhtar also condemned the terrorist attack that occurred earlier Friday in Arish city, killing at least 235 and injuring 109 others.

A number of terrorists stormed Al-Rawdah mosque in west Arish City during Friday prayers, and detonated an explosive device.

“The society must be rid of all promoters of teachings and supporters of Sayyid Qutb and Hassan el-Banna, who are aiming at taking us back to jahiliyya days ('ignorance;' the state of affairs in Arabia before the advent of Islam) by blowing people up,” Moukhtar said in a statement while contending that the ministry will take it upon itself to rehabilitate the mosque and its vicinity.

For his part, Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Allam said that the perpetrators of such deeds must be murdered or crucified; contending that the killing of innocents amounts to committing a "disobedience to Allah and spreading mischief in the land."