Turkey Says Will Stand Up against All Hate Speech, Violence, Terror
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Turkey's foreign minister on Friday said his country will stand up against all forms of hate speech, violence and terrorism.
Mevlut Cavusoglu was speaking at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Istanbul to discuss last week's twin terrorist attacks on two New Zealand mosques that killed at least 50 Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers.
He said no religion or belief can be defined by violence and terror, adding that peace is at the core of Islam.
Also speaking at the meeting, OIC Secretary-General Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen said terror had no language, religion or race, and urged action to stem anti-Muslim hate speech.
He said the attacks in New Zealand were a "turning point" for Muslims, adding Muslim nations will not be deterred from taking steps to curb violence, Anadolu Agency reported.
New Zealand's foreign minister told the OIC meeting that his country attached great importance to freedom of religious belief, adding that the attacks on Muslims "are attacks on all of us".
Winston Peters said New Zealand launched the biggest police investigation in the country's history after the mosque attacks, adding that the perpetrators of the attacks will spend the rest of their lives in jail.
Friday marks exactly one week since the attacks on the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch.
Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged for the massacre and is being held at a maximum-security prison in Auckland.
Among the victims were four children under the age of 18. Other children are still being treated at local hospitals for injuries they sustained during the attack.
