The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb strongly condemned "the abhorrent terrorist attack" that took place Thursday morning at Notre Dame Church in Nice, France, which resulted in the death of three people and the injury of several others.

In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, El-Tayyeb asserted "that there is no way to justify these ugly terrorist acts which defy the peaceful teachings of Islam and all divine religions."

He emphasised the neccesity of "countering all acts of violence, extremism, and hatred."

“Al-Azhar denounces and rejects this ugly terrorist act, and at the same time warns of the escalation of violence and hate rhetoric,” the statement said.

Al-Azhar, the world's leading Sunni Islam institution, called for the primacy of voices of wisdom and logic as well as social responsibility, especially when it comes to the beliefs and lives of others.

Al-Azhar presented its condolences to the families of the victims and the French people, praying to God to bless the injured with a speedy recovery.