Turkish deputy PM Arınç denounces terrorism

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has called terrorism a “crime against humanity” that does not have a place in Islam.   

“We believe that terrorism is a crime against humanity and our religion,” Arınç said Dec. 24 during an official visit to Kuwait, during which he met with Kuwait’s Minister of Religious Endowment & Islamic Affairs Yaqoob al-San’a.

“Whatever the cause or purpose, no one should resort to terrorism. Terrorism is a crime. No matter who carries it out against whomever for whatever cause, terrorism is not something to be favored or approved,” said Arınç, adding that the Turkish youth should especially be raised with a decent knowledge of Islam so that they do not have sympathy for terrorist organizations.

Militant groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Middle East, plus Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram in Africa, have drawn on extremist interpretations of Islam to enforce dogmatic religious rule and attract young people into joining their insurgencies.