Leading Sunni Muslim body Al-Azhar, Egypt and Jordan today condemned an attack in which six people were killed during prayers at a mosque in the Canadian city of Quebec.
Gunmen stormed the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec yesterday evening, killing six and wounding eight before police arrested two alleged assailants.
"These abhorrent attacks... Lead to the spread of division, hatred, racism, and create a fertile ground for terrorism and extremism," said Al-Azhar.
Al-Azhar called for "the need to protect places of worship from any aggression, respect of their sanctity, and providing a safe environment to practise religious rites.
"Shedding blood, whatever its sex, belief or colour, is something all religions prohibit, and is rejected in all laws, norms, international charters, and human values," it said in a statement.
Egypt and neighbouring Jordan also condemned the attack.
The foreign ministry in Cairo called for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, and offered its condolences to the families of the victims.
In a message to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, King Abdullah II said Jordan stood with Canada following the "odious terror attack".
The attack on the mosque came after Canada vowed to open its arms to Muslims and refugees after US President Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban Friday prompted travel chaos and outrage around the world.
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