Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies are unlawful in Islam, according to Egypt's top cleric.

Grand Mufti Shawki Allam issued an official fatwa against it, saying "virtual currency" is not permitted and is not "acceptable interface of exchange," according to Ahram Online.

Justifying the fatwa, the grand mufti compared crypto-currencies to gambling. He said the comparison is merited "due to [digital currencies] direct responsibility in financial ruin for individuals."

He also said the currency could undermine Egypt's stability "impinges on the state's authority in preserving currency exchange, as well as its necessary supervising measures on domestic and foreign financial activities."

Digital currencies – such as bitcoin – are decentralized and not backed by a government, gold or silver. Because of such currencies' decentralization, they are difficult to track and have been linked to money laundering, as well as the sale of illegal drugs and weapons.

As a result, they operate outside of the traditional control of regulators. Many such currencies have been created in the past few years, with bitcoin surging to the head of the pack as the most valuable and widest known.

At the start of 2017, one bitcoin was valued at less than $1,000. However, just before the end of last year, the digital currency soared to close to $20,000. Since then, it dropped drastically and then slowly started to rise again.

Currently, at the time of writing, one bitcoin is worth just over $14,500.

With the crypto-currencies' surging popularity, other Muslim leaders have taken a similar stance against them.

In December, Assim Al-Hakeem, a popular Saudi cleric, said that bitcoin and other digital currencies are banned under Islamic law, saying they are "ambiguous."

“We know that bitcoin remains anonymous when you deal with it… which means that it's an open gate for money laundering, drug money, and haram [forbidden] money,” Hakeem said, in a YouTube video.

Turkey's top religious authority – the Directorate of Religious Affairs or the Diyanet – also said in November that crypto-currencies are at odds with Islam, citing their use by criminals and the lack of regulation, according to RT.

Saudi authorities in Al Taif governorate suspended nurses who allegedly abused a newborn in a hospital ward for infants, Al Riyadh newspaper reported on Tuesday. 

The news comes hours after footage that captured a nurse and her friends horrifically assaulting the infant went viral on Twitter, sparking outrage among users. 

Even though it wasn't clear where or when the video was captured, authorities managed to identify several nurses who are now suspects in the case. They have since been suspended as an ongoing investigation takes place. 

In his statement on the matter, Al Taif Health Authority's official spokesman, Abdul Hadi Al Rabie, confirmed news of the suspension. 

Al Rabie stressed that before any further action can be taken, more investigations were needed. 

However, he also promised that appropriate measures will be taken against anyone whose involvement is evident in the case. 

*The video of the assault is available online but we chose not to share it in line with our ethical standards.

"This is outrageous, how could they do that to an infant."

"Where's the manager of this hospital? Where's their conscience? Where's mercy? Where's these people's respect for the sanctity of their job?" 

"To the highest authority in the Ministry of Health... I urge you to take strict action against the people involved in this."

"The women in this footage are criminals, not nurses. Suspending them is not enough... they must be tried over this." 

"Suspending them is simply not enough."