Al Azhar has condemned statements by a French mayor against the country's Muslim population.

In a statement, Al Azhar termed the statements of Robert Chardon, the Mayor of Venelles, south France, as racist and breaching of hatred against Islam and Muslims.

The Mayor wrote on Twitter "The Muslim religion must be banned in France."

All followers of Islam should be "immediately escorted to the border," he added.

Al Azhar called on world countries to adopt the UN Charter articles on human rights and respect of religions.