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UN Chief Meets With Egypt's Top Cleric, Decries Hate Speech

by Associated Press

   CAIRO --

   The U.N. chief has expressed solidarity with Muslims world over during
   a visit to Cairo, denouncing hate speech and racism, as well as
   anti-Semitism.

   The remarks by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday in
   the Egyptian capital came less than a month after the terrorist attack
   on New Zealand mosques killed 50 worshippers.

   Guterres says "hate speech is entering the mainstream, spreading like
   wildfire through social media and radio."
   He says that "in this time of difficulties and division, we must stand
   together and protect each other. Nothing justifies terrorism, and it
   becomes particularly hideous when religion is invoked. ... we must
   uphold and promote human dignity and universal human rights."

   Guterres' comments came after his meeting with Egypt's top Muslim
   cleric Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam in Cairo.