Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
If insulting is promoted under the name of freedom, violence under the name of religion can not be stopped, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said, the president's official website reported Jan. 21.
"Fanaticism gun always is filled with insults," Rouhani said, condemning publish of Prophet Mohammad cartoon by French Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Iranian president's remarks come nearly two weeks after an attack on the office of Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 people dead. Al-Qaeda affiliates claimed responsibility for the attack.
Following the Paris shooting, the French magazine once again published a cartoon last week, depicting Prophet Muhammad on the cover of its new edition.
Rouhani invited Muslims to hold public peaceful protests regarding the published cartoon.
"All should understand that Muslims do not neglect their identity and never permit anybody to abuse their sentiments," Rouhani said.
He also condemned terror acts under the name of Islam, calling Muslims not to permit anyone to shed innocent blood under their name which harms reputation of the prophet.
He also criticized limitations imposed against Muslim minorities in certain countries.
In similar statements on Jan. 20, Rouhani said that "the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns terror, violence and extremism under the pretext of defending religions as well as insults, blasphemy and provoking the sentiments of followers of other religions in the name of defending freedom."
He said that Iran is the flag-bearer of fighting violence, extremism and terror both in word and in deed, and supports countries plagued with terrorism.
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