Speaking at a student event, senior MB leader Dr. Helmy El-Gazar denounced the attack on the densely-populated neighborhood where residents of Cairo’s poverty-stricken Imbaba neighborhood witnessed unnecessary deadly clashes which left 13 dead and over 200 injured, as well as a church in ashes.

Earlier reports confirmed that thugs had ordered all the shops in the street closed and then divided themselves into two groups, intimidating residents by firing shots into the air and preventing them from defending the church. According to Gazar the sedition was provoked by remnants from the regime to create chaos, however, he believed it will not succeed in splitting the unity between the Muslims and Copts. He stressed that no religious Egyptian would stoop to levels of burning houses of worship, adding that Islam vehemently condemns such actions.

During the event Gazar called on the students present, Muslims and Copts alike, to unite and defend all houses of worship, describing it as both a religious and patriotic duty.

Related, in a separate statement, human rights activist Hafez Abu-Seida noted  that the neighborhood’s economic and social position, high population and traffic problems allowed the incident to occur. He also blamed the absence of Al-Azhar’s influence in the area to respond to cases of hatred or misunderstanding and lack of acceptance between different religious groups. He said the implementation of law is necessary to treat such crises.