Türkiye’s Altun strongly condemns attack on Quran, Turkish flag in Denmark

Turkish Communications Director Fahrettin Altun has strongly condemned the repeat of a “disgusting attack” on the Muslim holy e-book, the Quran, and a Turkish flag in Denmark.

“Danish authorities cannot treat these Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist actions within the purview of freedom of expression. This is utterly unacceptable and dangerous,” Altun wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

“We have unfortunately become accustomed to these kinds of incidents throughout Europe. These are clearly provocations to spark backlash from Muslims and Turkish people to be able to depict us in negative light. We will not play this game, but we will also not ignore it,” Altun added.

His remarks got here after members of a Danish far-right group, Patrioterne Gar Live, gathered exterior Türkiye’s embassy in Copenhagen and burned a replica of the Quran together with the Turkish nationwide flag.

Altun mentioned concentrating on sacred values and symbols with the clear intent of stirring violent reactions can’t be thought of freedom of speech, including that Türkiye, which respects the non secular beliefs of different communities world wide, expects the identical factor from Europeans.

“European governments and civil society organisations must act now, not later, to confront these acts of terrorism forcefully if they are interested in a peaceful dialogue between different religions and cultures. They cannot allow these provocateurs to spread their hate,” Altun added.

Calling on European authorities to handle the assault in a severe means, he mentioned: “I also call on Danish authorities to hold these despicable provocateurs accountable. They must also take every precaution to prevent potential future incidents before it is too late.”

Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Ministry mentioned that Ankara won’t ever settle for such “vile actions being allowed under the guise of freedom of expression.”

The Ministry summoned Danish Ambassador in Ankara Danny Annan to name on Danish authorities to take mandatory actions towards the perpetrators and to take efficient measures to stop the recurrence of such provocations.

READ MORE: Latest Quran-burning in Denmark exhibits politicisation of anti-Muslim hate

Denmark’s ‘irresponsible perspective’

Earlier, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar additionally strongly condemned the recurrence of the “despicable attack”.

“We strongly condemn the creatures who carried out this arrogant and despicable attack, dehumanised and enraged with hatred,” Akar mentioned on Friday in Türkiye’s quake-hit southern Hatay province.

“We declare and condemn as accomplices those who turn a blind eye to these charlatans by remaining insensitive and silent, and almost incite them to crime by leaving them unpunished,” he added.

Akar confused that these “hostile, barbaric mentality and actions,” which just lately elevated in Europe, destroy democratic values and the tradition of tolerance and peaceable coexistence.

Meanwhile, the Turkish National Defense Ministry on Saturday mentioned “despite all warnings and initiatives, this hate crime committed against all humanity in Denmark has once again remained to be irresponsibly spectated in the name of so-called democracy and freedom of expression.”

It additionally invited all democracy and human rights defenders, particularly these in Denmark, to obligation within the identify of common humanitarian values.

Recent months have seen a number of acts of Quran burning, or makes an attempt to take action, by anti-Muslim figures or teams in northern Europe and Nordic international locations.

READ MORE:
Is Denmark an instance of anti-Islam hate in motion?

Source: TRTWorld and businesses