In a statement, Al-Azhar denounced the attack, in which the victim was reportedly stabbed 15 times, saying it reflected an alarming rise in anti-Muslim violence fuelled by Islamophobia and hate speech.
The Sunni Muslim institution said the incident represented "a dangerous manifestation of the escalation of white terrorism against Islam and Muslims," adding that it also highlighted a "frightening decline in the values of humanity and morality."
Al-Azhar warned of an increase in hate crimes against Muslims, noting that continued incitement against Islam, the spread of negative stereotypes, and failure to confront hate speech create an environment that encourages such attacks and threatens peaceful coexistence.
It stressed that combating what it described as "white terrorism," eliminating the roots of Islamophobia, and confronting all forms of racism and hatred are shared international responsibilities that must be addressed without selectivity or double standards.
The institution also called for perpetrators of hate crimes to be prosecuted without discrimination and urged authorities to take effective measures to protect Muslims from recurring attacks while promoting mutual respect among all communities.
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