Islam against all forms of terrorism

Egyptian Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamad Sayed Tantawi said that Islam is against all forms of terrorism, noting that President Hosni Mubarak has always been warning against terrorism.

We are with President Mubarak and support his call to hold an international anti-terrorism conference, said Tantawi at a press conference he held with foreign correspondents at Al-Azhar premises.

Islam has categorically prohibited assaults on human souls by any form of aggression, said Tantawi, adding whoever assaults others must get a just and deterrent punishment so that mankind can live in safety and security.

On the American people's reaction following the recent incidents, the Grand Imam said that they should not rush in their judgements, urging, meanwhile, Muslims residing in the United States to stick to patience and to trade offence with good words.

He referred to the Oklahoma City bombing, in which accusations were hurled against Muslims and it turned out afterwards that they are innocent.

The soldiers of Sharon, who kill the people in Palestine, are the true terrorists, stressed the Imam. Any country that harbour convicted terrorists is considered sinful and must be despised, he said, noting that "whoever raises a wolf will be eaten by the wolf someday."