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Egyptian religious leader slams Islamic State

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IANS Cairo

Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Allam has slammed the Islamic State (IS) Sunni extremist group for violating all principles of Islam, state-run MENA news agency reported Tuesday.

During a meeting with former Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora Tuesday, Allam said such bloody group represents dangers to Islam and Muslims worldwide.

"Fighting terrorism requires international and regional cooperation at all levels," he said.

He called on all Arab peoples to stand against these dangers to overcome this critical stage the Arab world is going through.

For his part, Siniora stressed that Egypt has regained its regional role in recent days.

"The stability of Egypt provides stability for all its Arab neighbours," he said.

 

He praised the role played by the Grand Mufti in spreading the moderate thoughts of Islam.

The IS, formerly known as Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS)) has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria, and seized towns where minority populations live.

It has indulged in systematic persecution of, and attacks on Christian, Turkmen and Yazidi communities in Iraq.

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First Published: Aug 12 2014 | 8:00 PM IST

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