The imam of one of France’s major cities, Bordeaux, urged Muslims to take to the streets in protest at Wednesday’s deadly attack in Paris by Islamist gunmen, calling it “almost an act of war”.

Imam Tareq Oubrou, a supporter of dialogue between Christians and Muslims, said after meeting Pope Francis that the attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, in which 12 people died, was “tantamount to what September 11 meant to America.”

“With this drama we are seeing almost an act of war,” Oubrou told reporters.

He said that though he had always staunchly opposed demonstrations he was now urging “Muslims to massively pour into the streets to express their disgust.”

What happened “is tantamount, relatively speaking, to September 11 in America, it is a monumental quake. A red line was breached that threatens civil peace. Muslims must demonstrate their anger,” he reiterated.