The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the international community has a special duty to promote mutual respect and the concept of peaceful coexistence.
This came in a statement on Monday on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, corresponding to March 15 of each year.
In its statement, the ministry commemorated the 51 people who lost their lives, including a Turkish citizen, in the heinous terrorist attack that took place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15, 2019.
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The statement said, “As a result of Turkey’s pioneering role in combating Islamophobia and intolerance in the international arena and its effective work in consultation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the date of March 15 was designated ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’ by the United Nations General Assembly.”
He pointed out that the despicable attacks on the Holy Quran in some Western countries show that anti-Islam is still gaining ground.
He added, “In this sensitive period in which hatred against religion is escalating, the international community has a special duty to promote the concept based on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.”
The statement stressed that Turkey will continue with determination to support initiatives to combat Islamophobia in international and regional forums, led by the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
On March 15, 2019, Christchurch witnessed a horrific massacre. Where a terrorist named Brenton Tarrant attacked with machine guns worshipers in the “Al-Noor” and “Lynnwood” mosques.
The terrorist massacre, which the perpetrator broadcasted directly through his Facebook account, resulted in the death of 51 people and the wounding of 50 others, according to official figures.
