Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Abdul-Aziz Al ash-Sheikh has said on Tuesday the terrorist groups Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaeda were “enemy number one of Islam,” Reuters said.

The mufti, the highest religious authority in the country, has condemned these and other groups before, but reiterated the statement at a time of new gains by militants in Iraq.

“Extremist and militant ideas and terrorism which spread decay on Earth, destroying human civilization, are not in any way part of Islam, but are enemy number one of Islam, and Muslims are their first victims,”he said.

MG