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05 November 2020, 10:37Inter-ethnic relations situation exacerbated in several countries, Russia must not allow this - Putin
Moscow, November 5, Interfax - Russia must not allow exacerbation of inter-ethnic relations in its territory as it happened in several countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"The situation in several countries is difficult, we see this. And we see what the actions of various provocateurs who insult the religious feelings hiding behind the freedom of speech and use this as an excuse to justify violence and intolerance lead to," he said at a meeting with representatives of religious associations.
It leads to only one thing, "conflicts accumulate in the society, like a snowball, and they could smolder for years and decades," he said.
"Together, we must take all possible actions to avoid such developments in our country in principle," the Russian president said.
Putin also noted significant changes in the modern world posing a threat to traditional values, among other things.
"The most difficult and extremely sensitive issues of inter-ethnic and inter-faith relations, unfortunately, sometimes become a subject of speculations and dirty geopolitical games, extremists and radicals are trying to parasitize them, inciting mutual hatred and enmity," he said.
Russia's spiritual leaders have a special role in harmonizing inter-ethnic and inter-faith relations and preventing extremism and terrorism, he said.
"People listen to your opinion and words and when you voice your solidary stance and firm commitment to the values of peace, kindness and mercy, it is of tremendous importance," Putin said.
At the same time, the president pointed out that inter-ethnic and inter-faith peace is "the cornerstone" for Russia and "this area news constant attention of all the government bodies, civil society, and media outlets."
The president noted that it is no accident that four holy texts, the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, and the Kangyur, lay on his table. "Every one of them entrenches imperishable truth, including the key, definitive one, which is the love for people, for neighbor, regardless of the race, nationality, and traditions," he said.
When the holy texts mention a neighbor, a brother, it must be understood that it refers not only to the people of the same faith, but humans in general, he said. "Because in all world religions all people are equal for the Almighty," Putin said, citing several lines from every holy text he mentioned. |