Egypt's top religious authority on Tuesday condemned as "extremist and racist" U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States, state-run Ahram-online reported.

Trump's comments came after last week's California mass shooting by a Muslim couple, whom the FBI said had been radicalized.

Egypt's Dar El-Iftaa, the country's top Islamic authority that issues religious edicts, said Trump's call would generate tension in U.S. society, where eight million Muslims live.

"The hostile perception of Muslims will increase tension in U.S. society. It is unfair to punish all Muslims because of a group of extremists whose criminal actions are rejected by Islam. Extremism and terrorism should not be restricted to one religion or one country," it said in a statement.

"This will create an opportunity for extremists to realize their goals", the statement added.

The top Islamic authority also urged the U.S. people to reject Trump's call, saying his comments will inflame hate and pose a threat to social peace in the United States.

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