The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb warned the Egyptian people against sliding into vicious cycle of violence and sectarian sedition. \"The country is on the brink of abyss due to the current political tension which mars the bright civilized portrait of Egypt,\" he said in a statement aired by the state-run TV station Friday night. \"The sectarian sedition looming large risks undermine the national unity and social texture of the Egyptian nation, and distract the valiant armed forces,\" he cautioned. In a similar tune, the Dar Alifta Al-Masriya (the Egyptian Islamic opinion-giving house) denounced strongly the scenes of violence and sabotage in various parts of the country. It highlighted in a statement the need to avoid bloodshed and cement the national unity in the run-up to the holy fasting month of Ramadan.