Egypt is hosting an international conference on the rising threats of Takfiri terrorism in the Middle East and concerted efforts to counter the extremist militants, who are distorting the image of Islam, Press TV reports.

The four-day conference, titled the “Greatness of Islam,” kicked off in Egypt on February 26.

Senior Egyptian officials, including Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, as well as representatives from different Muslim countries attended the gathering, which has been organized by Egypt’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the conference, Mahlab stressed that the atrocities being perpetrated at the hands of Takfiri terrorists are tarnishing the image of Islam, which is the religion of peace and mercy and respects human rights.

Senior officials of Egypt's Al-Azhar University, who were also present in the event, warned against the evil Takfiri plots, which imperil regional and international security.

“We now have the [cruelest] of groups and its affiliates, who are threatening most of the states, not just specific or a few Islamic nations,” said al-Azhar Undersecretary Abbas Shoman.

Muhammad Salih Salah al-Din, the mufti of Chechnya, also described Islam as the “religion of ethics,” adding, “It is clearly prohibited for any Muslim to behead or burn any other person.”

The participants in the forum also called for an immediate and firm response to the terrorist groups as well as unity in the Islamic Ummah in order to thwart the plots by the Takfiri terrorists, who seek to create strife among Muslims.

Egypt’s conference comes against the backdrop of the growing threat of violence and extremism across the Middle East, particularly fueled by ISIL Takfiri terror group.
Earlier in February 15, the Takfiri group released a video that appeared to show the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians on a beach near the Libyan capital city of Tripoli. The victims had reportedly been abducted in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte in two incidents in December and January.

The Takfiri militants have seized strips of land in Iraq and Syria. The ISIL extremists have also extended their terror activities to the Libyan soil in recent weeks.

They have carried out horrific acts of violence in the two countries, including public decapitations. ISIL has also killed people from Shia, Sunni, Kurd and Christian communities in the areas they have under control.