“There can be no such freedom as burning the Holy Quran”

 

Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: “Just as setting a church, a synagogue or a place of worship of another faith on fire is not freedom, there can be no such freedom as burning the Holy Quran, either.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.

President Erdoğan said: “Just as setting a church, a synagogue or a place of worship of another faith on fire is not freedom, there can be no such freedom as burning the Holy Quran, either. Those who do not recognize the law when it comes to their own security suddenly remember the freedom of thought when it comes to the sacred values of Muslims.

Violence has begotten violence, and that has triggered the incidents today. As has been the case throughout history, those who sow the wind, reap the whirlwind today as well. We hope that these recent incidents, which we find worrisome, may end as soon as possible without further bloodshed and before this spiral of violence grows bigger. We are worried that these incidents will lead to new wave of pressure, intimidation and suppression against migrants and Muslims.

Everyone should acknowledge that Türkiye’s friendship cannot be won by allocating city squares to terrorists. Everyone should already acknowledge that Türkiye’s friendship cannot be won by creating a space for terrorists and allocating city squares to them.”