Putin: Insulting the Prophet of Islam is not freedom of expression.
In a press conference, the Russian president stated in remarks that may have referred to recent anti-Islamic actions in Western countries, insulting the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) can not be considered freedom of expression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an annual press conference traditionally held before Christmas that insulting the Prophet of Islam was not freedom of expression.
According to the English-language website of the Rashatoudi news agency, Putin said that if someone insulted the Prophet Muhammad, it could not be considered freedom of expression. The Russian president said such actions could fuel further hatred and extremism.
The Russian president’s remarks probably refer to some anti-Islamic policies in Western countries, especially France. In September of last year, Charlie Hebdo magazine republished a controversial cartoon insulting the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) by repeating past insolence.
Charlie Abdo wrote in an insulting editorial he published at the time with his controversial cartoons that the images “belong to history and history cannot be rewritten or erased.”
Charlie’s insulting caricatures and illustrations have been the subject of much controversy. The cartoons that the magazine republished today were first published in 2006 by a Danish newspaper. The move was met with widespread protests by Muslims around the world.
Instead of apologizing to Muslims for increasing anti-French sentiment in Islamic countries, French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter to support the insult in Arabic and English, saying under the pretext of freedom of expression that nothing would lead to France’s retreat. .
However, after sharpening criticism and protests in Islamic countries against the French president, Macron told Al Jazeera that he was retreating from his previous position: “I think the source of the reactions (to this issue) is lies, distortions. “It was my words and the perception of the people that I endorse these cartoons.”
In another part of the news conference, Vladimir Putin answered the question of whether Russia would recognize the Taliban. He said having stable relations with Afghanistan was one of the most important national security issues for Russia.
