Responding to the terrorist attack on the Sinai mosque which left at least 235 people dead, the Anglican Bishop of Egypt has called on the international community to step up the war on terrorists who, he said, enjoy freedoms to raise funds in Europe.

Bishop Mouneer Anis said in a statement following Friday's attack: 'Many world leaders condemned the attack and expressed their support to Egypt in its war against terrorism. We, Egyptians, are determined to fight terrorism and support President Abdel Fatah El Sisi who is leading the war against terrorism in the region.

'Terrorism is a great threat to the whole world. This fact puts the responsibility on the international community to stop all groups and organisations which financially support these terrorist groups. These organizations take advantage of the freedom in the European countries to raise funds to support terrorists to carry out their bloody attacks on human beings.

'Please pray for the families who lost their loved and the injured.'

Bells rang out in Coptic Orthodox churches across Egypt at 12 noon local time on Saturday in solidarity with the victims of the attack.

Militants targeted worshippers in a coordinated gun and bomb attack on al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of Arish city in the Sinai region.

A bomb exploded and sent worshippers fleeing for safety, only to be fired on by the terrorists as they ran. Ambulances heading to the mosque to treat the wounded were also fired on. It has emerged that the gunmen carried Islamic State flags during the attack. 

The attack on the Sufi congregation – regarded as heretical by hard-line Sunnis – echoed attacks on Christian churches that have left many dead and others fearing for their lives.

Bishop Anis added: 'It is said that most of the people killed are Sufis. It is known that militant Salafi and Jihadist groups consider Sufis as heretics. They used to target policemen, soldiers and Christians but now Muslims are also targeted. No group is exempt. This massive bloody attack is the largest during the last few years.'

Announcing the ringing of bells, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain, Bishop Angaelos, tweeted that the mosque attack represented 'Different individuals, different communities, different faith...same senseless destruction and pain.'

Egypt's military said at the weekend that it had carried out air strikes and raids against militants held responsible.