According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on January 7 condemned Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Paris and said any act of terrorism targeting innocent individuals runs counter to the teachings of the Muslim faith. The following is the translation of a report the official news agency released on the statements of the spokeswoman:
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham described as unacceptable any abuse of freedom of expression, fanaticism, and disrespect for individuals endeared by followers of different faiths. She also condemned lack of respect for divine religions and their values.
The spokeswoman went on to say that such behaviors [what happened in Paris on Wednesday] are a continuation of a wave of extremism and violence that spread across the world in the past decade. “Unfortunately wrong polices and double standards in dealing with violence and fanaticism have fanned the flames of such measures.”
She recalled President Rouhani’s World against Violence and Extremism initiative and expressed hope leaders of the world will avoid double standards and adopt a unified approach to dealing with the root causes of violence and extremism.
