ANKARA: Turkey on Saturday warned its citizens against “possible Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks” in the US and Europe, while its Western allies warned their citizens in Turkey of possible terrorist attacks. What did
In two separate travel advisories, Turkey’s foreign ministry advised its citizens in the United States and European countries to “act calmly in view of possible xenophobic and racist harassment and attacks” and to “stay away from these areas.” Where protests can intensify.”
The ministry said the recent increase in “anti-Islamic and racist acts” reflected the dangerous dimensions of religious intolerance and hatred in Europe.
Several embassies in Ankara, including those of the US, Germany, France and Italy, issued a security alert for their citizens in Turkey on Friday, warning of “possible retaliatory terrorist attacks against places of worship”.
This happened after recent incidents of Quran desecration in Europe. Sweden’s foreign ministry on Saturday advised its citizens in Turkey to avoid crowds and demonstrations.
A far-right, anti-immigrant politician desecrated the Holy Quran during a protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm last week, raising tensions between Turkey and Sweden. Ankara strongly condemned similar Quran burnings in Holland and Denmark.
Pakistan also strongly condemned the “heinous” act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, stressing that the move hurt the sentiments of the 1.5 billion-strong Muslim community worldwide.
