During a press conference, Al-Azhar’s Grand Cleric, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, denounced Pope Benedict XVI’s biased reaction to the blast in Alexandria, questioning why he did not ask for the Muslims to be protected when they were killed in Iraq. 
 
He criticized the tone of the Pope and the evident tilting of scales that was illustrated when he condemned the blasts, describing it as a widening campaign against Christians in the Middle East, stressing that it was a lack of religious freedom and a threat to world security. 

The Pope called on the Christians not to yield to discouragement and resignation in the face of the threatening tensions of the moment, and in the face of discrimination, of abuse of power and religious intolerance that today particularly strikes Christians.

Al-Tayeb argued that the Pope’s call was blatant evidence of interference in Egypt’s affairs, claiming that it was highly unacceptable.

Al-Tayeb did, however, express his anger at the attack on the church, noting that it targeted all Egyptians, and called on Muslims and Christians alike to work day and night to strive for national unity, security, stability and the protection of all Egyptians, and to stand as one.
 
He offered his and all the Muslims condolences to the victims of the blasts, asserting that Islam is a religion of peace and explicitly forbids such actions and regards human life as sacred regardless of religion, colour and creed.