Egypt top cleric condemns bloodshed among countrymen

As confrontations continue between the supporters of the latest changes and the supporters of ousted president Mohammad Morsi, the country's top Mufti (Islamic cleric) condemned the killing of three Egyptian women in protests in Al-Mansoura, stressing "all bloodletting among Egyptians is prohibited in Islam." In press remarks Sunday, Mufti Sheikh Sahwqi Allam recalled a saying by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) indicating Muslims are to refrain from harming other Muslims in any way, and urging his countrymen to seek solidarity and unity and to show brotherly sentiments during the holy month of Ramadan. Al-Azhar's top cleric Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayeb had also condemned the killing in remarks yesterday, also stressing the act was a violation of basic Islamic principles. The cleric reiterated anew Al-Azhar's calls to all in the country to refrain from violence and calls for violence.