All Muslim groups in France have been called to meet on Thursday to adopt "a common position" after the "Charlie Hebdo" shootings Wednesday in Paris, Dalil Boubakeur, President of the French Muslim Religious Council (CFCM) said here.
Leaving a meeting called by President Francois Hollande, and attended by all religious leaders here, Boubakeur again condemned the attack against the satirical magazine where 12 people were shot dead earlier on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press after the meeting at the Elysee Palace, Boubakeur said that the attacks were not representative of Islam and he said the Muslim community was doubly shocked by the attack because they were citizens of France and also Muslims.
He said that the French Muslims, who number close to five million, wanted to live in "conviviality" in France and would do everything to promote "living together" in community.
He expressed some concern that there would be a negative impact for Muslims here because the attackers shouted they were from Al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula when they were leaving the scene.
"Charlie Hebdo" had received warnings from radical, extremist groups like Al-Qaeda because of certain publications deemed insulting to Islam.
"All Muslim bodies have unanimously condemned the action" at Charlie Hebdo today, Boubakeur affirmed.
"All Muslims bodies will be called to meet Thursday to adopt a common position," he added.
Separately, police sources updated the toll at the morning shooting in central Paris, saying there were now 12 confirmed dead, eight wounded, four of which are in extremely grave condition. Eight of those shot dead Wednesday were journalists and two policemen were also among the victims.
Source: KUNA