Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Saddened by Notre Dame Cathedral Fire

Egypt’s top Muslim cleric has expressed sadness over the fire that destroyed part of the famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, describing it as a “historic architectural masterpiece.”

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, wrote on Facebook: “Our hearts are with our brothers in France.”

Egypt’s Coptic Church also expressed “profound sadness” over the massive blaze.

The head of Copts, Pope Tawadroz II, said in a statement that the fire was a “huge loss for entire humanity” and affected “one of the most important monuments in the world.”

The Foreign Ministry in Cairo expressed “great regret and pain,” citing Notre Dame’s “historical and culture value” for France and world heritage.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri said in a tweet that Beirut expresses strong solidarity with the “friendly French people.”

He expressed sadness over the fire he described as a “heritage and humanitarian disaster.”

The Paris prosecutor said there’s no evidence of arson in the Notre Dame fire and that they’re working on the assumption that the blaze was an accident.

Remy Heitz said the investigation will be “long and complex.”

Speaking Tuesday, after the blaze was put out, he said five investigators are working on the probe.

He said they will be interviewing workers from five companies that had been hired to work on renovations to the cathedral’s roof, which was being repaired before the fire and which is where the flames first broke out.