02:09The rector of the Great Mosque of Paris Dalil Boubakeur expressed sorrow over the Notre Dame fire while speaking in Paris on Tuesday after visiting the cathedral along with a dozen of other officials led by French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
"We received the news with sorrow that we've lost the Notre Dame of Paris, for us it's symbol reflecting our existence, our lives and our love of France," said Boubakeur.
"I entered, thanks to the personnel of Mr. Minister. We saw a part of a hole on top, the roof was down. We realised the significance of destruction, it's such a madness to see that. I don't have words to describe my pain, to describe this sorrow or this curse," he added.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known, although there are indications that it may be linked to restoration work that was underway at the cathedral.
France: Rector of Paris' Great Mosque 'unable to describe pain' over Notre Dame
The rector of the Great Mosque of Paris Dalil Boubakeur expressed sorrow over the Notre Dame fire while speaking in Paris on Tuesday after visiting the cathedral along with a dozen of other officials led by French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
"We received the news with sorrow that we've lost the Notre Dame of Paris, for us it's symbol reflecting our existence, our lives and our love of France," said Boubakeur.
"I entered, thanks to the personnel of Mr. Minister. We saw a part of a hole on top, the roof was down. We realised the significance of destruction, it's such a madness to see that. I don't have words to describe my pain, to describe this sorrow or this curse," he added.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known, although there are indications that it may be linked to restoration work that was underway at the cathedral.
The rector of the Great Mosque of Paris Dalil Boubakeur expressed sorrow over the Notre Dame fire while speaking in Paris on Tuesday after visiting the cathedral along with a dozen of other officials led by French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
"We received the news with sorrow that we've lost the Notre Dame of Paris, for us it's symbol reflecting our existence, our lives and our love of France," said Boubakeur.
"I entered, thanks to the personnel of Mr. Minister. We saw a part of a hole on top, the roof was down. We realised the significance of destruction, it's such a madness to see that. I don't have words to describe my pain, to describe this sorrow or this curse," he added.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known, although there are indications that it may be linked to restoration work that was underway at the cathedral.