Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb said the firing of a ballistic missile by Houthi rebels from Yemen into the holy city of Mecca is a heinous crime provoking more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.

In a statement released on Saturday, Tayyeb said this criminal behavior is a dangerous precedent representing a blatant challenge from those who pursue sectarian agendas and seek to dominate the Arab World.

Egypt's religious figure, in this respect, urged those concerned in Arab and Muslim countries to take a decisive and urgent action towards this unprecedented transgression.

On Friday, Al Azhar issued a statement in which it announced its rejection and condemnation of "this dangerous violation that targeted the heart of Muslims, their prayers direction and the first mosque placed by Allah for the people."

Source: MENA