The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has condemned violence in Qalyubia, allegedly sparked by sectarianism, calling upon all "religious and national figures to contain the crisis."

The FJP, the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, demanded in a statement Saturday that the state "reveals the plans [aiming to create strife between different Egyptian sects], punish those behind them and stop this threat."

"The party is [sorry] for the victims of these unfortunate clashes regardless of their religion — Muslims or Christians," it added.

At least five people were killed by gunshot and seven nine injured in Al-Khosous town, Qalyubia.

According to the MENA state news agency, clashes erupted early Saturday between Muslim and Christian teenagers after the latter allegedly painted offensive drawings on the gates of an Al-Azhar (Muslim) institute.

In the statement, the FJP said its office in Qalyubia formed a delegation to visit Al-Khosous and meet the "two sides of the conflict" in an effort to resolve the issue.

Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb has also condemned the incident and sent a special delegation to Al-Khosous to "uncover the truth of what happened" and prevent escalation.

According to Al-Ahram Arabic news website, clan and family leaders in Al-Khasous have been conducting meetings with security officials in the governorate to speed up procedures to bury victims.  

Hassan Abo Ragab, one of the leaders, told Al-Ahram that the group sat with families of Christian victims to pave the way for reconciliation and the restoration of peace.