Egypt mosque attackers 'murderers, not Muslims'

BALIKESİR

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has slammed the mosque attack in Egypt that left 305 people dead, saying that the attackers “have no relation with Islam.”

"How can we call them Muslims? They are murderers, they have no relation with Islam," Erdoğan said during a graduation ceremony of non-commissioned officers in northwestern province of Balıkesir on Nov. 25.

At least 305 people were killed and scores injured when attackers bombed a mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed in North Sinai and then opened fire on fleeing worshipers on Nov. 25.

Erdoğan also said that the attack shows “the un-Islamic face” of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

“This assault targeting our brothers during Friday prayers shows the un-Islamic face of Daesh,” he said, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım also condemned the attack, describing it as “heinous.”

"I strongly condemn the heinous attack in Egypt and offer condolence to the Egyptian people. Attacking people during Friday prayer is against humanity and Islam," Yıldırım said during a ceremony in Istanbul on Nov. 25.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ, meanwhile, expressed Turkey's support to Egypt.

"Turkey, like always, stands with the people and the government of Egypt. Turkey is ready for all kinds of cooperation in the fight against terror without any 'ifs' and 'buts,’" Bozdağ said in the Central Anatolian province of Konya.