Religious bodies condemn Nasr city blast, mourn ‘brave’ officer

CAIRO – 6 January 2018: Religious bodies deeply condemned the bomb attack that killed a police officer and injured another Saturday in Nasr City.

Azhar Institute released a statement denouncing the explosion, and confirming full solidarity with the state’s institutions in confronting terrorism.

The Orthodox Church and Pope Tawadros II mourned the “brave” police officer, Mostafa Obeid, a member of the bomb squad who was killed while attempting to diffuse an explosive device hidden inside a bag.

The church, in a statement, offered condolences to the family of the deceased, and thanked police for their efforts.

Head of the Evangelical Church Andrea Zaki on Saturday deplored the blast, and hailed a mosque Imam who rescued Copts in Cairo's district of Nasr City from a possible disaster.

The explosion occurred while the officer was examining a bomb found on the roof of the mosque.

On the other hand, the Interior Ministry beefed up security measures around churches ahead of Christmas celebrations that are set to be held late Sunday.