The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a Jewish synagogue in the city of Halle in Eastern Germany, which led to two deaths and multiple injuries.

The Committee reiterates that such attacks on places of worship are an attack on all humanity and contravene the sanctity of holy sites and the freedom of religious expression.

The Committee also extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this barbaric act while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Committee also wishes to bring to light the Human Fraternity Document, signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis this past February in Abu Dhabi, and its stance on the protection of holy places, which stated, "The protection of places of worship – synagogues, churches and mosques – is a duty guaranteed by religions, human values, laws and international agreements. Every attempt to attack places of worship or threaten them by violent assaults, bombings or destruction, is a deviation from the teachings of religions as well as a clear violation of international law".