Egypt's former grand mufti defiant after assassination attempt

Egypt's former grand Mufti Ali Gomaa voiced defiance against religious extremism after surviving unharmed an assassination attempt in Cairo on Friday.

"If Ali Gomaa dies, there will be thousands, no millions, who defend righteousness," Gomaa told state TV following the attack. "These terrorists misled people, altered religious texts and did not apply them properly."

Formerly the highest Islamic authority in Egypt in charge of issuing religious fatwas (edicts), Gomaa is known for his opposition to extremism. He was also a supporter of the ousting of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi by the army in 2013.

Unidentified gunmen, who were hiding in a nearby garden, fired shots at the 64-year-old cleric outside a mosque near his house on the outskirts of Cairo where he was to perform Friday prayers, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. One of his bodyguards sustained minor injuries during the attack, while the attackers escaped the scene.

Witnesses told state-run al-Ahram newspaper that about 50 gunshots were fired in an exchange of fire between the bodyguards and the gunmen. Details are still emerging, with conflicting reports as to the attackers' mode of transportation. Egypt's state TV initially reported that the gunmen were riding a motorbike, but later cited witnesses as saying the attackers were inside a taxi.

State security has formed an investigative team to identify the perpetrators, according to state TV.

Egypt's al-Azhar institution, the highest religious authority in the region, was quick to condemn the attack, as did prominent clerics in the country. Gomaa told journalists that the failed attempt on his life made him more determined to give the Friday sermon at the mosque in order to "challenge terrorism."

"I say to President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi that he is on the right track and al-Azhar and its affiliated organisations are protected by God Almighty," Gomaa told local television. "I warn against those who mislead people and defame Islam."

Meanwhile, joint army and police forces cordoned off Gomaa's house following the attack as a large group of supporters were seen on TV gathering outside. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred one day after the Egyptian army announced that the chief of the local branch of Islamic State was killed in restive North Sinai province. A total of 45 other members of the terrorist group named Sinai Province were also killed in the joint operation by anti-terrorism troops and air force.    (dpa)

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