Egypt's Grand Imam, one of the world’s highest Sunni Muslim authorities, has urged western countries to review laws and regulations that may affect the freedom of Muslims after a train attack in Germany was claimed by the Islamic State group.
Shawki Allam, the country's official interpreter of Islamic law, condemned on Tuesday the attack as "inhumane" and said such violence "tarnishes the image of Islam which calls for tolerance and coexistence."
Allam urged the West to help Muslim communities "integrate into society" and to revise "laws and decisions that could tighten Muslim's freedom."
He says such matters are exploited by extremists to spread their radical views "under the claim that western countries are hostile to Islam and Muslims."
A 17-year-old Afghan refugee assaulted passengers on a train in southern Germany with an axe and knife late on Monday, injuring at least five people in an attack which the Islamic State group claimed hours later.
Allam said that Islam prohibits "terrorising people or assaulting them no matter what their denomination is."
His remarks were part of a statement carried by Dar Al-Ifta, the main authority responsible for issuing religious edicts.
