Imran Khan: Macron attacked Islam and hurt Muslims

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday of “attacking Islam”, after he criticised Islamists and defended the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed

Imran Khan’s comments follow statements Macron made last week after a French teacher was beheaded near Paris after he had shown cartoons of the Prophet during a class.

“By attacking Islam, clearly without having any understanding of it, President Macron has attacked and hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe and across the world. The last thing the world wants or needs is further polarization,” Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said.

In a tweet, Khan added “It is unfortunate that he has chosen to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who carry out violence, be it Muslims, White Supremacists or Nazi ideologists. Sadly, President Macron has chosen to deliberately provoke Muslims, incl his own citizens, through encouraging the display of blasphemous cartoons targeting Islam & our Prophet PBUH.

Khan’s remarks come after a similar criticism from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Macron, after which France summoned its ambassador in Ankara.

E.M