Russia: Islamophobia is an unacceptable form of discrimination
Maria Zakharova Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has said that Moscow considers acts of hatred against Islam (Islamphobia) to be an unacceptable form of discrimination.
Zakharova said yesterday in a press conference in Moscow that Russia supports the positions of Islamic countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the matter. "We oppose discrimination and violence against Muslims on the basis of religion to ensure that religions are free by respecting not only the individual but also to ensure that the collective rights of believers are respected.
Zakharova has said that Russia will support the draft resolution of Muslim countries in the United Nations General Assembly under the address "Measures to fight against Islamophobia" on the International Day against Islamophobia on March 15 every year.
The resolution mentions the issue of respecting the religion of Islam as part of the foundations of various cultures and religions and also provides an opportunity to establish the authority of the United Nations Special Envoy to deal with this type of hatred against certain religions.
Russia is among the countries that supported the draft of this resolution. Last week, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia criticized acts of hatred against Islam in Europe and said that such acts have reached a high level in the Parliament of the Council of Europe.
