The head of a UN anti-extremism body on Wednesday expressed his « deep concern » at the growing tensions over the satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, urging « Mutual respect » between the people of different faiths and political opinions
The statement by Miguel Angel Moratinos – who heads the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations – follows growing anger in the Muslim world over France’s response to the beheading of a teacher who had shown the footage to his students as part of a course on freedom of expression
President Emmanuel Macron has vigorously defended the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad for reasons of freedom of expression, sparking protests of anger in parts of the Muslim world and campaigns to boycott French products
The UN High Representative « follows with deep concern the growing tensions and cases of intolerance triggered by the publication of the satirical cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed », according to the statement
« The incendiary cartoons also sparked acts of violence against innocent civilians who were attacked for their pure religion, belief or ethnicity, » Moratinos said in the statement, without making explicit reference to the footage’s defense by Macron
« Insulting religions and sacred religious symbols causes hatred and violent extremism leading to polarization and fragmentation of society, » he warned
United Nations, Muhammad, controversy over cartoons of Jyllands-Posten Muhammad, Emmanuel Macron, Respect
News from the world – AU – UN official expresses « deep concern »In the face of tensions over Mohammed cartoons
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
