Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta vehemently condemned the racial statements of the US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump who called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" following deadly terror attacks in California.

In a press release, Dar al-Ifta stressed, “Such hostile attitude towards Islam and Muslims will increase tension within the American society of which Muslims represent around 8 million peaceful and loyal American citizens.”

“Trump’s hate rhetoric which describes Muslims as a threat to the American community is totally erroneous since Islam exhorts peace and coexistence among all humans and it is unfair to blame all Muslims for the actions of a minority that manipulates the fundamentals of the religion,” Dar al-Ifta said in a statement.

Dar al-Ifta called upon the Americans not to give heed to such Islamophobic rhetoric, which create conflict among the citizens and stir hatred that threatens societal peace in the US. It also paves the way for all extremists to achieve their horrendous and criminal goals.