Egypt's former grand Mufti Ali Gomaa has survived unharmed an assassination attempt in Cairo, according to a statement by the Egyptian Interior Ministry.
Two unidentified gunmen fired shots at the 64-year-old cleric outside a major mosque on the outskirts of Cairo where he was to give the sermon for Friday prayers, the report added.
One of his bodyguards sustained minor injuries during the attack, while the attackers escaped the scene.
Egypt's state security has formed an investigative team to identify the perpetrators, according to state TV.
Gomaa, formerly the highest Islamic authority in Egypt in charge of issuing religious Fatwa (edicts), is known for his opposition to extremism. He was also a supporter of the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi by the army in 2013.
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Gomaa told dpa that the failed attempt on his life made him more determined to give the sermon in order to "challenge terrorism".
The attack came one day after the Egyptian army announced that the chief of the local branch of Islamic State was killed in restive North Sinai province.
A total of 45 other members of the terrorist group named Sinai Province were also killed in the joint operation by anti-terrorism troops and air force.
