The fatwa monitoring observatory at Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta has strongly condemned the terrorist act committed by QSIS militants who blew up the church of the Virgin Mary in Tal Nasra in the Syrian city al-Hasaka on the morning of Easter Sunday.

The observatory confirmed that the actions of the terrorist group QSIS which includes blowing up churches and terrorizing and killing Christians are prohibited in Islam, contradict divine teachings and aim to cause discord, create chaos, and sow the seeds of sectarianism. Furthermore, all divine religions maintain the necessity of preserving religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth.

The statement elucidated that Islam is innocent from all these destructive acts no matter how hard the perpetrators try to associate themselves and their actions with it. It further stressed that the fatwas of the majority of scholars, both past and present, confirm the prohibition of attacking churches. It added that Syrian Christians are equal to Syrian Muslims; they are citizens with the same rights and duties. Consequently it is impermissible to attack them or their houses of worship under any circumstances.