MOSCOW (Dispatches) --
Russian President Vladimir Putin says insulting Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon Him) is a “violation of religious freedom”, according to Russian News Agency TASS.
Insulting Prophet Muhammad is a “violation of religious freedom and the violation of the sacred feelings of people who profess Islam,” Putin said in a press conference.
The Russian leader also criticized the publication of blasphemous sketches of Prophet Muhammad in French magazine Charlie Hebdo last September, saying that such acts give rise to extremist reprisals.
“Praising artistic freedom in general has its limits and it shouldn’t infringe on other freedoms,” Putin said.
Russia, he said, has evolved as a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state, so Russians are used to respecting others’ traditions.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Putin’s statement reaffirmed my stance that insulting our Holy Prophet (PBUH) is not freedom of expression.”
The premier urged leaders of the Muslim countries to spread this message to heads of non-Muslim nations to counter Islamophobia.
He also called on the West to respect the sentiments of the Muslim communities while practicing “freedom of expression” for the past many years.