In a statement issued hours following the murder, Sheikh El-Tayyeb stated that killing a soul is considered one of the major sins in Islam that result in God’s wrath and punishment.

He quoted the Quranic verse "whoever killed a soul, except for a soul slain, or for sedition in the earth, it should be considered as though he had killed all mankind; and that whoever saved it should be regarded as though he had saved all mankind."

Egyptian security forces arrested a 60-year-old man who reportedly stabbed the 56-year-old Coptic archpriest to death in the city of Alexandria on Thursday evening. According to the Church, investigations are underway to determine the stabber’s identity and motives.

El-Tayyeb also called on everyone to be aware that this murder and similar incidents paves the way for “religious wars” between people of the nation, noting that “Egypt survived these types of wars thanks to God Almighty and its people as well as its leaders."

The head of Egypt’s most influential and oldest Sunni organization demanded everyone foil such schemes.

In the end of his statement, El-Tayyeb presented Al-Azhar’s condolence to the family of Priest Arasanios Wadid and to Christians praying to God to protect Egypt and keep its people safe.