Defining 2020 as "a challenging year" for all, Turkey's top diplomat said on Friday that, in addition to the COVID-19, Islamophobia is on the rise like never before, APA reports citing Anadolu Agency.
Speaking at the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Niger's capital Niamey, Mevlut Cavusoglu pointed out the rising trend of Islamophobia, racism, and anti-migrant discourses, especially in Europe.
"However, migrants and Muslims continue to contribute to their communities. A recent example is the development of the COVID-19 vaccine by two Turks living in Germany," he said, referring to the scientists Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci.
They attracted the world's attention in November after their firm BioNTech, in collaboration with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, announced a 90% success rate in its initial COVID-19 vaccine.
Saying that Europe lacks visionary leaders, as some of them even dare to reform Islam, he pointed out that the peace and well-being of millions of Muslims in the West are being threatened under cover of counter-terrorism.
In this regard, Cavusoglu recalled arresting children by French police, who were held for more than 11 hours in Albertville, France, on false allegations of "apology of terrorism".
"We must be awake to this dangerous rhetoric and actions and we should send a clear message regarding our red lines," he added.
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