Ambassador Andrey Baklanov, deputy head of the Association of Russian Diplomats, said that the main goal of organizers of the attack on the Charlie Hebdo office on January 7 (resulting in 10 journalists and two police officers killed) was to provoke anti-Western sentiment among Muslims. He emphasized that people should distinguish elements of crime from religious, ethnic and other issues.
Professor Leonid Syukiyaynen of the Higher School of Economics said that terrorists should be distinguished from peaceful Muslims living in France, Germany, Russia and other countries. He believes that Europe needs a closer dialogue with Muslims to prevent confrontation. Syukiyaynen reminded that terrorists were committing crimes for ideological reasons, so they should be confronted at an ideological level with the help of religious and cultural centers.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls assured French Muslims that he will support them personally in the light of growing Islamophobia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called Islam a part of Germany.
Baklanov noted that Western countries were giving up traditional values, causing controversies and tensions. One such tension, according to the expert, is the over-liberal interpretation of freedom of speech. In his opinion, the Charlie Hebdo cartoons were offensive. Baklanov added that similar cartoons mocking Russian Christian values could provoke an unpredictable public reaction.
The diplomat said that the mass media should understand the special role they play in modern society, where telecommunications and the internet have become sensitive instruments capable of helping people overcome cultural differences or aggravating them. Baklanov considers the work of journalists to be a great responsibility.
Ambassador Andrey Baklanov, deputy head of the Association of Russian Diplomats, said that the main goal of organizers of the attack on the Charlie Hebdo office on January 7 (resulting in 10 journalists and two police officers killed) was to provoke anti-Western sentiment among Muslims. He emphasized that people should distinguish elements of crime from religious, ethnic and other issues.Professor Leonid Syukiyaynen of the Higher School of Economics said that terrorists should be distinguished from peaceful Muslims living in France, Germany, Russia and other countries. He believes that Europe needs a closer dialogue with Muslims to prevent confrontation. Syukiyaynen reminded that terrorists were committing crimes for ideological reasons, so they should be confronted at an ideological level with the help of religious and cultural centers.French Prime Minister Manuel Valls assured French Muslims that he will support them personally in the light of growing Islamophobia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated at a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called Islam a part of Germany.Baklanov noted that Western countries were giving up traditional values, causing controversies and tensions. One of such tensions, according to the expert, is the over-liberal interpretation of the freedom of speech. In his opinion, Charlie Hebdo cartoons were offensive. Baklanov added that similar cartoons mocking Russian Christian values could provoke an unpredictable public reaction.The diplomat said that mass media should understand the special role they play in the modern society, where telecommunications and the Internet had become a sensitive instrument capable of helping people overcome cultural differences or aggravating them. Baklanov considers the work of journalists a great responsibilit
