Iran condemns Egypt's sectarian killings as 'contradicting Islam'

Four worshippers had gathered at the home of a prominent Shia to mark a religious festival.

CAIRO, EGYPT: Iran's foreign ministry condemned the killing of four Shia Egyptians near Cairo, saying such extremism violated the tenets of Islam, state television reported late on Monday.  

"The Islamic Republic of Iran denounces any act of extremism and violence which contradicts Islam and the tenets of Islam," read a foreign ministry statement published by the website of English-language news channel, Press TV.

"Iran is certain that the sensible and revolutionary Egyptian nation, through its prudent leaders will also exercise vigilance vis-à-vis plots to foment discord among various schools of Islam," it added.

The four worshippers had gathered on Sunday at the home of a prominent Shia on the outskirts of Cairo to mark a religious festival when the house was attacked by a hostile crowd, which accused them of heresy and beat them to death.

Egypt's president, Mohamed Mursi, condemned the "heinous crime" but stands accused by Egyptian Shia leaders and liberal opposition of promoting sectarian anger over the war in Syria as a means of appeasing its own Sunni allies.

Around 90 percent of Iranians belong to the Shia denomination, whereas in Egypt the figure is estimated at no more than 2 percent.