CAIRO: The prestigious Egyptian Muslim institution Al-Azhar condemned on Friday a deadly Daesh group attack in Paris, describing it as “sinful” and un-Islamic.
A known extremist shot dead a French policeman and wounded two others on the world-famous Champs Elysees avenue on Thursday night, in an attack claimed by IS.
The gunman was shot dead as he tried to flee.
“Al-Azhar strongly condemns this sinful terrorist attack,” the Cairo-based Sunni institution said in a statement.
“Al-Azhar affirms its categorical rejection of such terrorist acts that contradict Islamic teachings,” it added.
Observers had feared bloodshed ahead of Sunday’s presidential election in France following a string of atrocities since 2015 and the violence is likely to thrust security to the front of voters’ minds.
Prestigious Muslim body condemns Paris attack
Prestigious Muslim body condemns Paris attack
![Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo. (AFP) Prestigious Muslim body condemns Paris attack](https://skybarnett.shop/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/2017/04/21/897526-1247093173.jpg?itok=nXUeCPzu)