Sunni Islam's leading seat of learning, Al-Azhar, today urged all Muslim countries to join a Saudi-led military coalition formed to fight "terrorism" in the Islamic world.
The Cairo-based institution hailed the formation of the 34-nation alliance announced by Saudi Arabia as "historic", and said it hoped it would defeat the "evils of terrorism".
"This was an urgent demand of the people of Islamic countries who have suffered more than others from this black terrorism," Al-Ahzar said in a statement.
"Al-Azhar calls on all Islamic countries to join this coalition to counter terrorism... That has committed horrible crimes indiscriminately."
The 34 countries participating in the coalition belong to the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman said the alliance would tackle "the Islamic world's problem with terrorism and will be a partner in the worldwide fight against this scourge".
