Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb strongly condemned a "cowardly" terrorist attack on Mar Mina Church in Helwan in southern Cairo, which left several persons dead and wounded.

Such repeated terrorist attacks on Christians during their feasts target the national unity rather than the followers of a certain faith, el Tayyeb said in a statement.

He called on the Egyptian people to face such plots, expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded.