Tue 07 December 2021:
The arson attempt last week on a mosque on the Greek side of the long-divided Cyprus island “will not go unanswered,” the Turkish president said on Monday.
“Unfortunately there was an [attempt] against our mosques in southern Cyprus. Of course, this operation in southern Cyprus will not go unanswered,” Erdogan told reporters on Monday before departing for Qatar on a two-day visit.
Turkey’s Daily Sabah newspaper reported at least one suspect was detained following a December 2 attempt to burn the Grand Mosque in the city of Larnaca. No one was hurt in the incident.
An Islamophobic attack on an Ottoman-era mosque in the Greek Cypriot-controlled part of Cyprus. #Cyprus #islamophobicindianmedia #Islamophobia_in_india #islamophobe pic.twitter.com/cjNUStZeEB
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) December 7, 2021
“This is what we are telling southern Cyprus: do not carry out such acts of sabotage against our houses of worship. The price you will have to pay for such acts of sabotage will be heavy,” Erdogan said.
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar also blasted the attempt to set the mosque on fire.
No casualty were reported, with police arresting at least one suspect, according to a statement by the Religious Affairs Presidency of Northern Cyprus.
Turkey’s foreign ministry on Sunday said the incident “does not only target Muslims, but also threatens the common values of humanity, and reveals how certain circles are far from the understanding of peaceful coexistence”.
_____________________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
